Very Afraid of the Dark?

Question

I am very very afraid at night. When my family gets all into bed, I'm usually the last one up. I have actually focused my mind so hard on one spot that I actually saw a face that was not there. My mind plays games with me. Seriously, It seems like I hear footsteps outside my door. & it doesn't help that the dog will begin to bark at night once in awhile. I can't sleep because I am very afraid that someone is going to walk into my room, kidnap me, & hurt me [rape, abuse, etc].

I worry a lot. & it's not really that I'm afraid OF the dark. It's that I'm afraid of whats IN the dark.

Another weird thing is that, i always think that if someone breaks-in, no one in the house will hear them except me. I've had nightmares that someone was coming after me & my dad & mom had done nothing to protect me. I don't know why I had dreams like this, because my parents would do anything for me, they are light sleepers, & they care for me a lot. I love my parents & I know that they would do anything for me.

I just, don't understand why I am like this. I just can never get to sleep & if I try to get to sleep it takes me hours to fall asleep [usually 1 hour or 2]. Even if I am very sleepy, I won't fall asleep because I'll constantly be staring at my door.

any ideas of why this is happening to me?

p.s. this all started this summer. & I do usually sleep with the television on.

Answer 1

I used to feel like this, it goes away in time. Here are a few of my tried-and-true paranoia tricks:

- Lock the door to your room at night. If you go to sleep knowing your room is empty and the door is locked, you may sleep more soundly without having to stare at it all night.

- Lay sheets of bubblewrap on the floor in strategic locations in your house. Nobody's going to creep around without everybody knowing. (May not want to do this if your parents tend to get up in the night)

- Before trying to sleep, read something that makes you laugh. It will leave you in a less freaky mood.

Answer 2

ur more rested during the summer bc ur off from school so u have more trouble getting to sleep which leads to more scary thoughts before u fall asleep.  get a few night lights so your room will never be that dark at all.  if u want to talk ever i'm online on aim and my screename is TheBTPYoda.  

Answer 3

you sound like you have the same problem i have...like when everybody else in the family goes to bed, i turn on every light in the house..and double check the locks on the doors and windows...i don't know why i do..it's like some compulsive thing..like i won't be able to sleep if i didn't check the locks...and i have to get up and go check them... Try getting like 3 nightlights and put them in your room.. so your whole room is lit up, but isn't bright..and you can see that nothing is there.. and turn your radio on and just listen to it until you drift off to sleep...I know it sounds stupid but i do it....oh and if you had a sentimental stuffed animal when you were little (like it's in the back of you closet) try sleeping with it... cause i imagine when you were younger you used to sleep with it and it made you feel protected.... oh and if you have a fav book..read a chapter before you got to bed and you will have dreams of being the leading person in the book...i find it very calming...

Hope I helped!!!  =]

oh and if you have touble goin to sleep one night you can always e-mail me and we can chat...cause i'm normally on the computer till like 3 in the morning...lol

Answer 4

I think i have the same problem. One time i got so scared i thought of going to my parents bedroom. but i didn't. I recommend you listen to some music. Do you have a clock radio? I find it help full. Try not to stare at your door, think "everything is fine! Those are really rare!"  I'm glad I'm not the only one. Now when i think of it i just shrug it off. think about something else. the feeling will wear or in a while. :) maybe a little light will help.maybe not from your door because that might freak you out more. hope i helped!

Answer 5

You can light up some night lamps. You can put on your headphones  listen to good music and just relax. If you feel insecure just lock your door. When you lay down relax and concentrate on you're breath (ie) how you breath deep, shallow.

If you don't mind, go and sleep with you're parents on their bed. Then as you gain confidence try to move to you're room.