Fear of the dark phobia information. . .

Nyctophobia is a fear of the dark phobia. It is an overwhelming fear of dark that causes intense physical and/or psychological distress. As with any phobia, a fear of dark phobia can affect your ability to function normally, interfering with your everyday life.

Although not every phobia needs treatment, if the fear of dark is affecting your daily life, it’s time to seek help.

But don’t feel like you’re the only one in the world dealing with a phobia!

“Phobias are the most common mental disorder,” says R. Reid Wilson, PhD, spokesman for the American Psychological Association. “Over their lifetimes, 11% of people will have a phobia.”.

So considering 11 out of every 100 people have some sort of phobia, you’re not so very unusual if you have such a problem.
 

Is It A Fear of Dark or Phobia of Dark?

So do you have a full-blown phobia, or just a little dislike of being in the dark? Well, if being in the dark just gives you a slight case of the heebie-jeebies, you don’t really have a phobia. People can be a little antsy about a lot of things, but not have a full blown phobia.

For instance, if you aren’t keen on going into a dark room, but you can still do it without intense distress, then you haven’t made it to the phobia phase yet.

However, if the idea of going into a dark room throws you into a full-blown panic, that’s a phobia. If the fear of dark is so severe you are hampered in everyday living, you’ve probably got a phobia.

If the idea of being in the dark causes you to be physiologically or physically impaired because of the fear, you have an “afraid of the dark” phobia.

For instance, if you can’t go outside because you are so afraid you might still be there when it gets dark, you’ve definitely got a phobia.

Just be aware and don’t despair, you’re not alone with the fear of dark!