[GenCat]

I have always been terrified of the dark and esp when I have to fall asleep in the dark. I always feel like I am being watched and that someone or something is going to harm me. I was 12 before I even started sleeping by myself. I also tend to see things at nighttime that aren't there. And most of the time I get so freaked out I will stay awake for 1-5 hours after ive been in bed. I have to sleep with my TV on and my ipad on a pillow beside me on for the light. Its stupid that I am almost 20 and I am still afraid of the dark.

[smart2222]

I'm 21 and terrified of the dark too. I have to sleep with my covers pulled up over my head no matter how hot it is and keep my iPad near me as well. Before I had a loft bed, I could not stand too close to my bed at night and always made a leap onto it. I have the same feeling as you, I think someone or something is going to get me... But yeah, my mom kicked me out of her bed when I was 9.

You are not alone. *hugs*

[manxcatwoman]

I'm uh...much older than both of you and have always been afraid to go to sleep (which I suppose would include being afraid of the dark.) There have been times when I've had to check underneath my bed and inside the closet even though I've actually slept in closets over the yrs. I would hear things here and there and thought someone was in the house but it turned out to be others noises.

It's normal for people to want to feel safe and comfortable while sleeping. I hope things get better for both of you.

[Thunder Bow]

Last night I slept alone in my sleeping bag, in my tent, in total darkness, under zillions of stars. I was out in the total wilderness alone ! With elk, and of course mountain lions! Long ago, I made friends with the night, and the Mountain Lion.

[inanimateobjects]

i'm 25 and i'm still afraid of the dark. probably more so now than when i was younger. i have to check the closet and the shower in the connected bathroom before i get into bed and make sure that i close the doors. a lot of times i have to shuffle around the room with my back to the wall because i think something will come up behind me. also my eyes play tricks on me and i think i see things that aren't there, but i'm never able to rationalize in my head that these things just aren't true. i wish i could tell you how to make it better but i can't and so far i've just been trying to deal with it. some nights are just better than others :-\

[sonnynotsunny]

I have a friend who is 22 years old and she sleeps with light on every night for about 5 years now, she will only turn it off if someone is with her, and almost anything will scare her, she never watches movies from horror movies or anything like it, she will check under her bed before she sleeps and the closet, she never seeked help as she doesn’t see it as problem as long as it doesn’t affect her entire life. I hope all the best for and for my friend.

Don't feel bad. I think everyone has what might be termed an irrational fear sometime in their life.

I'm 62 and have had a pathological fear of the dark all my life. Maybe from being forced to sleep in the basement when I was a kid. I hate even sticking my hand into a dark room to hit the light switch. The lamp in the living room is always left on at night and there are nightlights here and there. I either have to sleep with the lamp on or the tv-sometimes both. And it's only been in about the last ten years that I've been able to sleep on a bed that was up off the floor.

See? You're not as bad as you thought.

[Fishymoon]

I'm afraid of sleeping in the dark, I often fall asleep at dawn even when I'm not alone. In my 20's and 30's I had to check closets and bathrooms and all exterior doors before I could go to sleep. And even then would sleep with a big butcher knife in my hand. I fear sleeping alone. I have dogs now, very protective. They help.

I think these feelings are leftovers from previous lives where we met untimely death. I am nearly 60. My partner has to leave lights on too especially if she is feeling sick. I use my IPad at night beside me tune to I heart radio and rock or country music or I can barely fall asleep at all. Some nights I listen to YouTube meditations instead and will fall asleep. I wear headphones and my cpap machine. It helps me breathe under the covers.

Originally Posted by GenCat

I have always been terrified of the dark and esp when I have to fall asleep in the dark. I always feel like I am being watched and that someone or something is going to harm me. I was 12 before I even started sleeping by myself. I also tend to see things at nighttime that aren't there. And most of the time I get so freaked out I will stay awake for 1-5 hours after ive been in bed. I have to sleep with my TV on and my ipad on a pillow beside me on for the light. Its stupid that I am almost 20 and I am still afraid of the dark.

I have the exact same experiences. I always have the TV on. Just enough light for me to see my surroundings clearly is all I need to feel more comfortable. The only exception is when I'm really sick or if I am at my college and have a roommate, then I like complete darkness. Otherwise, I need my TV on to limit any possibility of me seeing something being there that is really not there. If I am at my college and my roommate happens to be absent, which is very rare, then I keep the bathroom light on since we don't have a TV.

[spondiferous]

I'm 35 and never been more afraid of the dark than I am now. I have to have all the doors closed when I'm sleeping. And I have a really hard time going to bed if my wife isn't home. Or even being in the bedroom at all, actually. I can relate to what you say about always feeling like I'm being watched. The feeling has gotten quite a bit better than it was even a few months ago; I was paralyzed with fear. Not going to go into too many details because I don't want to trigger anyone. It's frustrating...just try not to beat yourself up about it... as you can see, you are in good company.