Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesWhen to Get HelpDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
When to Get Help
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Fear of the dark is a type ofspecific phobiacallednyctophobia. Having nyctophobia means you have an irrational and extreme fear of the dark. If left untreated, a fear of the dark can impact your sleep and quality of life.
It’s common to be afraid of the dark at some point in your childhood, but for some adults, these feelings can persist and affect their functional ability.
This article will explain the symptoms and causes of nyctophobia in children and adults, along with ways to cope.
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What Is Nyctophobia?
A person with nyctophobia might stay away from situations in which there will be darkness—like camping overnight, leaving the house at night, or going to the movies—to avoid intense feelings ofanxiety.
Research has determined that when people fear the dark, it’s because they can’t see their surroundings. Darkness causes a “startle response” in the brain, which increases anxiety.
What You Should Know About an Anxiety Attack
Symptoms of Nyctophobia
The symptoms of nyctophobia are similar to the symptoms of other specific phobias. A specific phobia is an intense and persistent fear of a specific object, person, or situation that’s proportionally greater than the actual threat.
With nyctophobia, you might experience:
If left untreated, a specific phobia can hinder a person’s ability to function.
Symptoms can show up physically and/or emotionally. With nyctophobia, symptoms can occur when you’re in the dark or anticipate being in the dark.
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?
Causes of Nyctophobia
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if nyctophobia:
If nyctophobia is getting worse or causing severe distress, you don’t need to wait to see if it gets better before reaching out to a healthcare provider.
What Causes Anxiety?
Diagnosing Nyctophobia
Adiagnosis of a phobiastarts with a conversation with your primary healthcare provider. They can refer you to a licensed mental health professional.
During your appointment, you’ll typically fill out intake forms that include your health history. Afterward, you’ll have a conversation with a therapist. From there they will share their diagnosis.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:
How Phobia Is Diagnosed
Nyctophobia Treatment
There are treatment options for people who have nyctophobia. The goal is to reduce symptoms or fully resolve them.
Treatments for nyctophobia include:
In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed if your healthcare provider thinks it’s right for you.
What Is Meditation?
You might consider joining asupport groupto connect and share stories with people who understand what you’re feeling.
It’s also important to keep up with your therapy appointments and commit to your healing. This includes staying active, eating well, and practicing self-care. People who exercise regularly may become less sensitive to the physical feelings of a panic attack, which can reduce fear.
Helping Children With Nyctophobia
Between 20% to 30% of children ages 4 to 12 exhibit severe nighttime fears, according to a study published in the journalChild Psychiatry & Human Development.
While some caretakers find that using white noise helps children fall asleep, it’s best to only do this in moderation. Otherwise, white noise can become a crutch that makes it difficult for the child to fall asleep without it.
Tips for Adults With Nyctophobia
Oftentimes, adults with phobias are able to recognize that the phobia is irrational, although this doesn’t stop them from experiencing symptoms.
Whether you are seeing a therapist for nyctophobia or not, try following these tips to help you cope with your fear:
Can Nyctophobia Go Away?With consistency and the help of your healthcare provider, you’ll be able to manage your symptoms and get back to your life.
Can Nyctophobia Go Away?
With consistency and the help of your healthcare provider, you’ll be able to manage your symptoms and get back to your life.
Stress vs. Anxiety: Triggers, Symptoms, and Tips for Coping
Summary
Fear of the dark is also called nyctophobia. This is a type of specific phobia. When a person has a specific phobia, it means they have an irrational and persistent fear of a certain object, person, or situation.
If you think you might have nyctophobia, have a conversation with your primary healthcare provider. They can refer you to a mental health professional.
Treatment includes talk therapy, relaxation techniques, and exposure therapy, to name a few. Antianxiety medication may be prescribed if your healthcare provider thinks it’s right for you.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Janani BJ, Manoj R, Nivedha K.A study on the level of nyctophobia and its impact on insomnia among young adults.Zeichen J. 2022;8(6):444-449.Levos J, Lowery Zacchilli T.Nyctophobia: from imagined to realistic fears of the dark.PsiChiJournal. 2015;20(2):102-110. doi:10.24839/21648204.JN20.2.102Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Specific phobias.Boston Children’s Hospital.Phobias Symptoms and Causes.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X.American Psychological Association.The exercise effect.Kopcsó K, Láng A, Coffman M.Reducing the nighttime fears of young children through a brief parent-delivered treatment - effectiveness of the Hungarian version ofUncle Lightfoot.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2021 Jan;53(1):256-267. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-01103-4Cincinnati Children’s.6 tips to help kids who are afraid of the dark.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Janani BJ, Manoj R, Nivedha K.A study on the level of nyctophobia and its impact on insomnia among young adults.Zeichen J. 2022;8(6):444-449.Levos J, Lowery Zacchilli T.Nyctophobia: from imagined to realistic fears of the dark.PsiChiJournal. 2015;20(2):102-110. doi:10.24839/21648204.JN20.2.102Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Specific phobias.Boston Children’s Hospital.Phobias Symptoms and Causes.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X.American Psychological Association.The exercise effect.Kopcsó K, Láng A, Coffman M.Reducing the nighttime fears of young children through a brief parent-delivered treatment - effectiveness of the Hungarian version ofUncle Lightfoot.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2021 Jan;53(1):256-267. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-01103-4Cincinnati Children’s.6 tips to help kids who are afraid of the dark.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Janani BJ, Manoj R, Nivedha K.A study on the level of nyctophobia and its impact on insomnia among young adults.Zeichen J. 2022;8(6):444-449.Levos J, Lowery Zacchilli T.Nyctophobia: from imagined to realistic fears of the dark.PsiChiJournal. 2015;20(2):102-110. doi:10.24839/21648204.JN20.2.102Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Specific phobias.Boston Children’s Hospital.Phobias Symptoms and Causes.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X.American Psychological Association.The exercise effect.Kopcsó K, Láng A, Coffman M.Reducing the nighttime fears of young children through a brief parent-delivered treatment - effectiveness of the Hungarian version ofUncle Lightfoot.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2021 Jan;53(1):256-267. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-01103-4Cincinnati Children’s.6 tips to help kids who are afraid of the dark.
Janani BJ, Manoj R, Nivedha K.A study on the level of nyctophobia and its impact on insomnia among young adults.Zeichen J. 2022;8(6):444-449.
Levos J, Lowery Zacchilli T.Nyctophobia: from imagined to realistic fears of the dark.PsiChiJournal. 2015;20(2):102-110. doi:10.24839/21648204.JN20.2.102
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Specific phobias.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Phobias Symptoms and Causes.
Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X.
American Psychological Association.The exercise effect.
Kopcsó K, Láng A, Coffman M.Reducing the nighttime fears of young children through a brief parent-delivered treatment - effectiveness of the Hungarian version ofUncle Lightfoot.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2021 Jan;53(1):256-267. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-01103-4
Cincinnati Children’s.6 tips to help kids who are afraid of the dark.
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