sorry didn't know where to put this, anxiety or ptsd or what, it's a ptsd for me

feel like a child for this, but is anyone else scared of the dark and of night?
didnt used to be but sure as hell am now, feel like a right idiot, adult and scared fo something that seems so juvenile

every night it kills me, half the reason i can't cope at nights and i try to fritter my time looking at pc or wishing i could talk to someone but everyone is sleeping, scared to try and sleep, sleep = nightmares but night = scary

[pegasus]

((((( Griffe )))))

Yes I understand, bad things used to happen in the dark? Be gentle with yourself, if you are in therapy that can sometimes stir the PTSD up a bit. Use self-talk to soothe and let all of you know that you are safe now. Bad things are not going to happen now. Try to go to bed as relaxed as possible, use a deep relaxation tape/CD before dropping off to sleep.

[phoenix7]

Dont know if its the same - I was sacared of the sleeping and getting nightmares and waking up in the dark disoriented and terrified - I used to try to stay up all night - now if I have a nightmare I try to remind myself that that is what it is that its not happening now and I am ok - I also have a light and a torch next to my bed so If I wake up I can immediately turn on the light - I also slept with the light on for months after I got my ptsd and still do sometimes when triggered.

I hope things improve for you soon

Pegasus and P7 said it really.
But if it helps any I'm scared of the dark too, even though I didn't use to be.

[kameo1991]

I was scared of the dark as a child, always used to stack pillows around myself in bed.. thinking they would keep me safe. Though, as I'm a little older now being frightened of the dark means something slightly different to me.. like night time can be a beautiful thing.

So basically I'm just scared of getting lost in the dark... or something to that effect.

..but you are not an idiot and there is nothing to be ashamed of... k? with the post before mine.

[skeksi]

I'm scared of the dark, too. I worry that something is lurking in the dark, and that my house being dark at night might make it attractive to someone who wants to break in.

I've found two ways to cope with it: one, I always keep some lights on in the house (I rotate which ones). Usually I have one downstairs light and one upstairs light on, so it always looks like someone is awake, and it helps me feel safer. I keep my bedroom light off so I can sleep, but the other lights upstairs keep my bedroom partially lit. Second, I take sleep meds, which make me so tired that the fear is less powerful. For now, this is the best solution for me.

I understand staying up late because you're scared to sleep. It's awful.

[Elysium]

I used to be terrified in the dark, but this has gotten a bit better as I have grown older.

Now there is less terror, but still a severe underlying fear. I have a big problem looking out dark windows, into the night. I fear that when I look out someone or something will be there ready to pounce on me. I can now sleep in the dark without a night light in my room, but I have a night light in the hall so if I wake up I can look out my door and see some light there.

I also sleep with a flashlight right by my bed. Oh, and my pistol!! I never sleep with out them.

I think that there are plenty of grown adults that are afraid of the dark...it is just not something that is discussed a lot in society because everyone seems to have the need to not show their weaknesses.

[thunderbear]

Hi! You are definatly not alone. I am terrified of the dark and silence. And I'm 28! I have to sleep with the T.V. on so I won't panic over the ringing in my ears or the dark.

[Blue93]

nights definitely scare me...
maybe keeping a ligth on will help a bit?

thanks for the replies everyone, i'm sorry other people have to go through this too

i have a relaxation playlist on my ipod which i listen to sometimes but it doesn't help as much as i used to, i often end up turning it off because i don't like not being able to hear what's going on around me at night

i used to have a nightlight which helped a bit but i don't use it anymore, last time i did i got made fun of for it and it's embarrassing, always liked it betetr than leaving a lamp on though

i used to sometimes call someone at night but i don't anymore, and never anyone i know online or awake at night anyways

[Blue93]

let them laugh... that says more about them, then about you vince!

[phoenix7]

Hey if the nighlight works use it - theyll get tired of laughing - or you can laugh too - thats what I would do - laugh along with them - theyll soon get bored and move on - take care

.

[reader1587]

me three

[Rlucas8783]

I know exactly how you feel I am scared of the dark and I always feel like its somewhat childish because I am grown and afraid of the night. I keep certain lights on and certain tvs on in the house every single night it makes me feel better. I feel like if the lights and the tv are on at night that it would make would be intruders not bother because it looks like someone is up. I dont like to be alone and especially at night and its hard for other people to understand ie my husband...and its hard to explain that as a 25 year old woman I am scared. I cant fall asleep on my own I have meds for that.