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Scared of the dark
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I have a female friend of mine that is really scared of the dark when shes on her own, i dont mean she just doesnt like it but she feels like shes trapped and started to feel unwell if you get what i mean.
Shes 19 and i dont think shes had anythin bad happen to her in the dark so i dont think its any kind of reaction to the dark as such.
ant ideas that could help her?
Shes 19 and i dont think shes had anythin bad happen to her in the dark so i dont think its any kind of reaction to the dark as such.
ant ideas that could help her?
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there are a variety of treatments available for phobias, it might be worth talking to a doctor about it if it's bad, as an expert in phobias or a psychologist would be the best person to suggest safe ways to combat the phobia.
although it will likely involve facing her fears, I wouldnt know the best way to go about it...
Briefly, the idea is this:
When you are exposed to something that you have a phobia of, your anxiety level rockets, after a while it levels off but stays high, but then if you stay exposed to it for long enough, your fear level will start to drop. They might ask her to rate some things on a fear scale, where 0 is not scared at all, and 10 is heart-may-fail, shit-your pants terrified. Then they'll ask her to do something that's a 1 or 2 on her fear scale. Maybe something like being in a dimly lit room with a mate. And they'll get her to stay there, or keep doing it until her fear has diminished to a 0. When she's cool with doing that, they'll ask her to do something that's a 2 or a 3 on the scale, maybe being in a dimly lit room on her own. And again, she'll stay there or keep doing it until she's not scared anymore. And slowly, over a period of weeks, or months, or however long it takes, she'll work up to tackling things that are 9s or 10s. And in theory, she'll learn not to be scared.
It can be a bit of a trauma, and it can take time, but it does work for some people, and it might be worth a try.
I'll have to talk to her about it.
thanks
Is that how your friend feels.
up until i was 20, i used to sleep with the radio on, it just kinda made me feel like i wasnt alone, tell her to try that, then gradually turn the radio lower, until in the end she doesnt need it
i`m 21 now and although i sleep in the dark, i sleep with a knife
I sleep with the radio and fan on, I guess it takes away that silent feeling.
But can anyone find out why apprehension usually happens to some at night?
A Torch?
You can get really bright LED ones that are key chained sized from the £1 shops
I was afraid of the dark when I was iccle - and I had a torch.. of corse int hose days they were massive!! :yes:
Thanks for all your help.