How do you get over fear of the dark at the age of 24???

I'm embarrassed to even write this because it makes me sound so pathetic. I have a LOT of fears and suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, for which I'm on medication and under the care of a psychiatrist.

One of my main fears seems to be a fear of the dark. I haven't always been scared of the dark, this has only been over the past year or two and seems to be getting worse. I get really panicky when it's dark - I have to have a baby's night light in my room at night or I have a panic attack as soon as I put the light off. But there are other situations which can be embarrassing - the other night I was watching TV with my flatmate and he put the light off......I managed to cope OK until he switched off the TV and we were plunged into darkness, then I got really panicky and it was embarrassing to say the least.

How can I get over this? I feel like such a baby!

I can't leave my bedroom door open at night because I get scared someone will come in and hurt me (totally irrational, I know, but I can't help it). So I sleep with the door locked. I try to leave the light in the corridor on, because it shines under the door a bit, but the others in my flat always switch it off because it annoys them and I'm too embarrassed to admit to them that I'm scared of the dark.

well firstly and most importantly stop feeling embarassed... i am 27 and afraid of the dark since i was a little girl... so? what? since it's not something that you have since childhood probably your generalised anxiety triggered it as well as other fears and phobias too. so feeling embarassed just makes you feel more anxious and therefore intesifies your fear of dark. leave a small light on in your room (like a baby's night light) and try one step at the time. For example try not to lock your door once or twice a week. Admit to your flatmates you are afraid of dark. When you ll do that you will find out they are afraid of other things too or maybe that they even share the fear of darkness. This will allow you to be less anxious and them being more considerate. Over the years I have realised that you have to manage your fears like climbing. Rule number one: admit the mountian is high! Rule number 2: never look at the top. Always focus on the little step you take. You ll reach the top before you know it...

leave the lights on. get a timer that switches everything off hour later after going to bed.

Try leaving the landing light on with your bedroom door ajar,so that your not completely in darkness and you will feel more and more secure until eventually you will be able to switch off the landing light.If you dont feel secure with your door ajar,try a light on a timer but have a pull switch over your bed in case you wake up in the night and panic

have you got somebody to cuddle when it gets dark? i think it could help

Always leave the bathroom light on and the door ajar.
Carry a key ring torch with you. There are some really cool small ones out there.
You are not alone. I am 36 and have never liked the dark.
I have got over the panic but I am not at all comfortable in the dark.
I would have a word with my flatmate and say that you are nervous off the dark Because you fell not long ago or you stood in something.Make up a plausible story or just tell the truth. No one really likes complete darkness.
Good luck.

Well, first of all you shouldnt be embarassed,
since it hasnt been a fear you had since childhood, something has triggered it, apparently your anxiety. Darkness means unknown and uncertatinty and it stresses you.
I am 22 years old, and I am not embarassed to say that if it is dark and quiet and I am getting scared also, and believe it or not, even though I dont believe in them, I think monsters or something will attack me...its just in my head, like in movies etc.
Dont worry, it is just anxiety not a phobia.

get a nightlight and keep getting a lower voltage light n get a timer n stuff
have a great day
carry a flashlight

no disrespect to you but i would stop taking the pills and start to exercising before bed. also a nice boy or girl friend in a sexual relationship will definitely help you sleep and feel less afraid of the dark. neurosis is a tough thing to beat and phobias really decrease your quality of life. good luck to you and enjoy every day you are on this planet... jet jr

Dont be embarressed, I have a (random!) phobia of worms and of submarines, but I dont care - they add to my character. I think the nightlights a good way to go, along with having some sort of torch on your person / close at hand as much as poss. Good luck

I understand being scared of the dark, i sleep with the tv on every night.

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get a dog to lie next to your bed