- Fear of Dark

Fear of Dark

Fear of the dark, also known as nichtophbia, is a situational phobia that creates an irrational fear of dark places in an otherwise normally functioning human being. Phobias are quite common and come in many specific forms.

In all cases, phobias are irrational fears, although in some cases they may start out as a real, traumatic event for which a fearful reaction would be normal in anyone. Over time, that fearful reaction becomes generalized so that anything remotely resembling the initial trauma can trigger intense fear.

Phobias can remain discrete for many years (that is, confined to single triggers such as fear of the dark, fear of spiders, fear of driving, etc.), or they can progress to more serious and debilitating emotional illnesses.

Panic disorders are phobias that have become so intense that periodic bouts of extreme fear and panic occur unpredictably in the person suffering with the problem. The triggers can be so slight they might not even be remembered. A panic attack is marked by emotional and physical symptoms that include:

• Extreme paralyzing terror that occurs instantly.
• Fear of losing one’s mind.
• Fear of not being able to escape.
• Racing heartbeat or pulse.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Pain or tightness in the chest that feels like heart attack.
• Nausea and stomach upset.
• Dizziness and disorientation.
• A sense of unreality or disconnectedness.
• Tingling in the hands, feet, and face.
• Uncontrollable sweating.

Panic attacks are so alarming and painful that every year thousands of people got to in emergency rooms are tested for heart attacks because of them. The symptoms of a panic attack are often indistinguishable from a serious cardiac event, even to a physician.

When panic attacks begin to occur regularly the fear of the dark phobia has progressed to a full blown panic disorder. In some people, if treatment is not sought at this point, the panic disorder can grow worse over time.

Fear of another attack becomes as debilitating as the attacks themselves, and the person may begin to avoid necessary or formerly satisfying activities out of fear of triggering a panic attack.

Fear of the dark is treatable and the prognosis for a full recovery is very good. The earlier a phobia is treated, the shorter the course of treatment and the easier the cure will be. However, even when fear of the dark has progressed to a full blow panic disorder, or even a more serious and chronic anxiety disorder, the results of treatment are usually much more positive than they are for other emotional and mental illnesses.

Treatment for fear of the dark, like most phobias, consists of teaching the sufferer to reframe his or her perceptions of reality so the fear no longer arises. This form of therapy is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. CBT is short-term and focused on behavioral changes, so it tends to be affordable and is often covered partially or entirely by insurance.

Many self-help programs are available for phobias and panic attack symptoms. Most focus on teaching the person experiencing the fear to learn to let go of ‘fearing the fear’; a tendency that sets up a cycle of anxiety that almost guarantees a panic attack will occur.

Self-help programs can be a good, affordable alternative to CBT for many people in the early stages of a phobia. Hypnosis, self-hypnosis, and antidepressant drugs and/or anti-anxiety medications may also be used to provide relief from symptoms while the phobia is being unlearned in therapy.