How to Deal With Nyctophobia

Nyctophobia is an irrational fear of the dark. Although being afraid of the dark is a natural phase for many children, nyctophobia is accompanied by breathlessness, excessive sweating, nausea, shaking and sense of detachment from reality. Often times this fear is carried into late childhood and adulthood. Follow the tips below for dealing with nyctophobia.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Speak to a professional about this problem. If it goes untreated, it may lead to other problems such as sleep disorders and night blindness.

2. Use desensitization. This gradually increases exposure to the object of fear in a non-threatening situation. For nyctophobia, try facing the darkness with another person that brings a feeling of safety, such as a parent or good friend. Also the use of a night light may work, especially for children.

3. Learn self help techniques that reduce anxiety. These include breathing techniques and self talk. By decreasing anxiety while facing the object of fear, the phobia can gradually be overcome.

4. Get hypnotized. This may be used in extreme circumstances. Hypnosis can be very effective in treating phobias and may be considered if this fear is carried into adulthood or causes severe sleep deprivation.

5. Get medication prescribed. This should be done by a responsible professional and may be used only in extreme cases. Often antidepressants help alleviate anxiety that phobias bring, and in the case of nyctophobia, sleep aids may be helpful.

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