I can definitely relate to the last part of that. If I walk into a room and miss the light switch I will completely freak out and my heart will beat out of my chest even if it is just for a second because I can't see. If I'm downstairs and catch even a glimpse of something I perceive as terrifying then I will have to distract myself long enough to forget about it before I can make it to my room. And I can't be in my room at night without two small lights and the TV on with the volume high enough to hear, but low enough that I can't recognize what is being said so I can actually try and sleep.

I perceive every sound at night as possibly a ghost or demon that some how made it into my room or someone unwelcome coming up my stairs. It's been this way ever since CSI started coming on television though. I love watching action and mystery, but it seriously messes with my mind.

If this is a more recent thing for you. Try and pinpoint what in your life changed when these things started bothering you. Are there any new stresses in your life that weren't there before? Also try keeping a dream journal: write down how you feel and around what time you go to sleep every night, the dream itself, and what time and how you wake up. Try and find patterns with the nights you are haunted by nightmares. Also, by writing things down, you are somewhat encouraging your brain that it's not so important to hold on to, because you have it written down somewhere.

Hope this helps even a little. I'm also reading a book called The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology There is an exercise in there that is supposed to improve sound sleeping. If you want I'll post it as a second thread in the Sleep forum.