Nyctophobia - Fear of the Dark
A healthy dose of darkness can feed fear, especially when an overactive imagination is involved. Nyctophobia, a fear of the dark, is common in children but is also observed in adults to some extent.
What makes the fear of darkness interesting is that it isn’t really darkness that is feared, but rather the unknown. It’s the possibility of horrible things happening in the dark that scares us stiff. Darkness is an unknown entity filled with limitless possibility. If people, especially kids, can’t see what’s in the dark, oftentimes nyctophobia is the result.
In children, near darkness can also skew perception: a stuffed animal may appear to be a monster or a shadow on the far wall may really be the boogeyman. Don’t forget the darkness underneath your child’s bed. It may be filled with all sorts of treachery.
How to help your child get over a fear of the dark
Talk about your child’s fears. Start by finding out what exactly your child is afraid of. Monsters? Someone breaking in? Being alone? Reassure him that these are fears many people share and that he isn’t alone.
Comfort your child. One of the best things to do for a child who’s afraid of the dark is to reassure him that he’s safe and secure at home. If your child is afraid of someone breaking in, show him the locks around the house along with any alarm systems or other theft deterrents you may have.
Rationalize and remove what is making your child afraid of the dark. Is a stuffed animal casting a creepy shadow on the wall? Move it. Are the curtains fluttering in the window? Tie them back.
Use a nightlight in your child’s room. Sometimes the smallest light in the darkness can give a child a huge level of comfort.
Give your child control of the darkness. Leave a flashlight by his bedside and within easy reach. That way when the dark is feeling a little more than uncomfortable, your child can examine the room and make sure everything is okay.
Don’t belittle your child’s fear. To them, it’s a serious matter. Stop and think about it; you probably don’t like the unknown either. And while you may not believe the boogieman is living under your bed, you should be sympathetic toward your child’s sensitivity to things unknown.
Don’t reinforce your child’s fear. Checking under the bed for monsters instills in your child the false truth that monsters exist. Instead of talking about monsters, show your child that shadows are harmless.
–Magdalena
Do you have anything to share about nyctophobia? Comment and tell us about it!
