How do you get over a fear of the dark?

Question

I have been so scared of the dark for so long, I am sick of not being able to sleep over friends houses because I have to have a light on (not even a nightlight, I'm talking lamp) on when I sleep. Now I am expected to go on a camping trip in the woods in a tent with other IN THE DARK. I am so terrified, even the thought of it makes my eyes well up with tears. I'm crying right now. I'm so terrified to go, I asked my mom if she could pick me up at like 9:30 but she said, 'No you need to get over ythis." But she doesn't get it, I am so scared of this I'm gonna start bawling when I am supposed to go to sleep. The everyone in my tent will have to sleep with a light on in the tent. My mom won't take no for an answer, she's making me go. I'm so incredibly scared, what do I do?? Please answer, I am so afraid of Wednesday night!!!

Answer 1

Darkness is your friend. It's peaceful and quiet. No one can hurt you. You don't have to deal with anyone, or anything. No one can see you and you can be anywhere your imagination takes you.

Ease into it with a nite-lite. I've been there. All you need to do is make peace with the dark and it will become your friend. Honest.

Answer 2

sleep with the light off tonight and everynight

Answer 3

I'm almost thirty, and I still sleep with a nightlight, so I understand completely where you're coming from. It doesn't matter if your fear is logical or has a reason, it's your fear, therefore it is VALID. Your mom is incredibly wrong to make you go on this trip.

Is it a school trip? Have you considered talking to the person/teacher in charge and letting them know of this fear? I think they need to know if your reaction is going to be as bad as you fear it is.

Best case scenario, your mom could be right and you might not have as big a problem out there as you think. Worst case scenario, you could wind up with a severe anxiety attack and wind up freaking out the people you're with and making it a bad experience for everyone. (Not that it would be your fault, you can't control how you react to your fears.)

Seriously, talk to the person in charge of this trip, tell them your fears. It sounds like a pretty severe phobia, more than just a normal fear, and if that's the case, forcing you to go out there in the dark is not going to be good for you or your mental state. Good luck, I hope the person in charge is more understanding than your mother is.

Answer 4

I'm a mother of four and I still feel a little afraid of the dark which seems a little crazy right. I sleep with a side lamp on which helps me a lot.

Just know that you are not alone because we are all in the same boat. If you have support from a fellow camper on this trip then maybe you could bring those neon concert lights that you snap in the middle to make it glow. They're fantastic! Carry loads and put them in your tent and sleeping bag so it's all lit up nicely. Buy quite a few to last you the whole trip. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on. There isn't an overnight cure for this fear but you can feel better knowing that there are others out there that are just the same. Take care.  

Answer 5

Sleep with no lights on tonight.  Haha but dont worry Im the same way.  My tv is always on.  But ive learned to handle the dark more.  Good luck and god bless.

Answer 6

Can you talk to a friend that is going and share your fear? Do you have a cell phone or a small flashlight that you could have right beside you and turn on under the covers when you need it? I am 37 and have a nightlight in my bathroom and in my hallway (both shine in my bedroom). I am afraid of the dark also.  I see shadows and my imagination runs away from me.  I have accepted this fear as part of my life.  I am usually not in a situation that I can't control with a small light of some sort.  I also will not get out of my car in the total darkness ever.  You are not alone, lots of people young and old feel this way.  Find the best way to cope for you with the smallest light you can and still go. You may not "get over" this fear and that is okay. Just find ways to work around it the best you can.

Answer 7

think positive for the whole day, don't even think about the night time. start a game when it's close to dark, you'll be having fun, so it will seem less scary when it does get dark. Which you have to realize it does every night-get dark.

Think to yourself, "why am i so scared of the dark?" and maybe write down a list of reasons and talk them over with your mom. You'll realize there's really nothing to be scared of. nothing at all.

Tonight, sleep with your light turned off. Even if you get scared, leave it off. You'll wake up in the morning and it will be a new day and you'll realize that it wasn't that hard, and nothing terrible happened.

Good luck!

And have fun on Wednesday. there is nothing to be scared of.

Answer 8

Whenever you're sleeping in the dark, try closing your eyes and relax yourself enough just to be able to think of things you like, things that put a smile on your face, things that make you feel loved or special, things about others that you appreciate, and so on and so forth... think of all the things that are good in your life. Hopefully that will relax you enough to not be so tense and afraid. If ever the panic comes back, do it all over again. It is something that will get better from the first time you do it, but if you never try, it will never happen. You don't go from being petrified of the dark to relaxed in one night, but you can cure yourself a little more every time you try this.

Good luck, I really hope you can relax your worried mind. : ) No one wants to be scared all the time. You can do it.