- Discuss the fear. Listen carefully to your child, without playing into their fears, to see if you can identify a trigger.
- Be Aware of frightening images.
- Switch on the light.
- Teach breathing techniques.
- Offer a transitional object.
- Set up a sleep-promoting environment.
Is it normal for adults to be afraid of the dark?
Turns out that fear is pretty normal—experts say being scared of the dark is actually a fairly common thing among adults. According to clinical psychologist John Mayer, Ph. D., author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life, fear of the dark is “very common” among adults.
What causes fear of dark?
Being afraid of the dark often starts in childhood and is viewed as a normal part of development. Studies focused on this phobia have shown that humans often fear the dark for its lack of any visual stimuli. In other words, people may fear night and darkness because they cannot see what's around them.
Is nyctophobia a disorder?
Nyctophobia isn't a diagnosis in and of itself. It's categorized as a specific phobia, which does have an official diagnosis. Based on the criteria outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people with a specific phobia:3.
Why do I get scared at night for no reason?
The bottom line. There are many reasons why your anxiety may be worse at night. Daily stressors, poor sleep habits, and other health conditions can lead to increased anxiety and panic attacks at night. However, there are many treatments available that can help ease your anxiety and improve your quality of sleep.
How do you sleep when you are scared?
- De-stressing exercises.
- Build a sleep routine to transition from day to night.
- Try to go to bed around the same time every night, even on weekends.
- Don't lie in bed awake.
- Consider getting some products to help you de-stress.