Nyctophobia - An Irrational Fear of the Dark

If you lie awake in bed at night, unable to sleep, because you’re afraid of the dark, the chances are your suffering from nyctophobia. Taken from the Greek ‘Nycto’ meaning night and ‘Phobia’ meaning fear; nyctophobia is something usually associated with the fears of growing children. However, it’s a condition that can survive into adulthood and then, although it seems totally irrational to everyone else, is prone to totally ruin your sleeping habits.

Childhood sufferers frequently have a fertile imagination where monsters under the bed or shadows lurking in the corner of the room are the norm. Thankfully in these cases, a little understanding from a parent and a comforting night-light or landing light left on, can make all the difference.

Adults however, can suffer with symptoms of nausea, disorientation, sweatiness, loss of control and even panic attacks. Something that’s made even worse when psychologically you realise you’re safe in your bedroom but somehow you just can’t control how you feel.

Although often ignored, nyctophobia is a recognised sleeping disorder that affects more people ,than at first, you might think. Help though is at hand as many sufferers have been seemingly cured through Hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Homeopathic Remedies and of course discussing the matter with their G.P. and then acting upon their advice.