Why we hate being alone in a house, apartment, or dorm room at night

I know why people hate being alone at night when they are outside. Feeling vulnerable to assaults and even just getting lost can cause anxiety or fear. But why is it the same way in our own homes, apartments, or even dorm rooms for those who live in college residence halls? I am one of those people who hate being alone at night. For some reason, I don't feel as secure when I'm by myself in my house at night. It was the same way when I was at college living in a residence hall.

I know the likelihood of anything happening is low, but there is still that chance. And it is not even so much as being alone at home during the night, it is the act of sleeping when I'm all by myself, knowing someone could come in and do as they please without my knowledge. Knowing someone could do harm or steal things can make me nervous when I'm alone at night, and even more so if I will be sleeping alone as well.

It was the same way when I lived in a college residence hall. It was a very safe building, needed a ID swipe card to get in. In fact, it would probably be harder to break into the residence halls at my college I went to than it would be to break into a house. But even then, if I was every by myself in my room at night, I still felt very uneasy. And it was worse if I knew I would be sleeping through the night by myself as well. Just had this worry something bad would happen without my knowledge.

Same for taking showers as well. I know the fear is worse for females, but I have this problem as well even though I am male. Anyone know what causes these fears? Is it just a subconscious reaction to being alone at night? Does it seem weird to still feel anxious even if you know you live in a safe neighborhood or residence hall? I like being alone in general, but for some reason, being alone at night has a different vibe than being alone during the day. Anyone else have this issue? Just curious.

First of all, your fears aren't irrational. It's a scary world we live in. I live in a "safe neighborhood" but my car was broken into a few weeks ago. Things happen. So no, you're not weird.

As for why you seem to have these feelings more than others, I don't know. But try not to do something that I do all the time. Try not to get stressed about the fact that you're stressed about something. I drive myself crazy doing that.

Is there any chance you can have a dog? Failing that maybe you can set up an alarm of some kind? Then at last you will know you will be alerted if there is an actual problem.

I get scared because everywere i hear when younger it was about murders murdering women or raping them.one bad the guy stuck his hand through the window and opened the back door.some of its real some of its not but from childhood its put me on high alert growing up and i dont trust anybody.but being completely alone at night would be a big factor as to why i dont know when im ready to move out.my friends are gone and id rather not go to a borad and care or group home id rather just get a big dog and live in an apartment if i moved out also with security.i dont even trust those safe rooms they can install in your home. Cause i watched monk and someone got in and killed the person.yes i watched a lot of tv growing up but today since netflix not as much also im a bit paranoid.i put a knife in my sisters bag at sixteen she was in kindergarten. I thought i was protecting my family in case anyone came through the patio my mom insisted on leaving open.i put it in there for a moment fell asleep forgot about.and my kindergarten little sister got in a little trouble at school.good thing she was smart enough to tell the teacher but i did feel bad

I've wondered, too, about why I feel afraid to be alone at night. Part of it is the fear of someone breaking into my apartment. I have some fear about there being a fire, fearing how I will get my five cats out. But I also just...fear...being alone. I cannot pinpoint why, really. I guess I feel like if something goes wrong there is no one else to help me handle it. I try not to dwell on the fear, and I try to have faith in the universe or God or whatever it might be called. Instead of focusing on the fear, I try to focus on being safe in my apartment.

Anyway, good post, rdgrad15.

I did because that was all I heard about on the news. I stopped watching it.

I think in those specific situations (sleeping, showering) your (an my) fear is heightened because we are vulnerable. If you are sleeping, it is very easy to be completely unaware that someone is doing something to you or about to do something to you until it is too late. In the shower you may be awake, but it is more difficult to hear, and you aren't exactly dressed and ready to run out of the house if you need to. It makes us feel powerless and helpless. Plus, even though it isn't likely that something will happen, it's absolutely possible.

That's why I always keep my combat knife nearby when I'm at home and I have a Katana sharp enough to dismember somebody in my closet. If somebody were to be so foolish as to break in I will kill or dismember them without a second thought.

I feel safer when I have easy access to a weapon of some kind.

Hi
I am scared of being lonely in darkness. I want to overcome my tear with your helps.

I only feel scared when I feel I'm not alone when I should be.

I have no problem being home alone during the day but once darkness falls it's a different story. My husband just got a job that will require him to travel and I am dreading sleeping in the house alone. I envision have my dogs in bed and all the locks on the windows and doors triple checked before I fall asleep. I typically sleep very poorly when my Husband is gone.

I am the same way. During the day, I have no problem being alone since the chances of something happening are lower but at night, it is different.

I always want to take my shower before sundown. I'm not sure why. And after dark I get very fearful of someone climbing into the window and killing me.

I know my reasons....part is because of the experiences I've had which would cause even the strongest, most fearless person to be concerned and the other is my nature, as I was always a fearful person, even as a young child. Perhaps something happened to me before my age of consciousness which convinced me the world in an unsafe place. I will probably never know fully so this is all guess work.

Im alone & live out in the country. Not as rural as some but still rural. I have 3 dogs but they dont always warn me of anything or bark at nothing....honestly not afraid. Most times my intruders are the wild animals though I am cautious & will call for help if I need it. I have my phone most times if anything were to happen also....but dont live with any fear. Shoot, I have helped people in need that most wouldnt so not even afraid of that. Never had anything happen that would make me fear either in all these 64 years of life

I get nervous when my husband is gone. I hear more things at night.