Ptsd And Fear Of The Dark?

[girlshawn]

I have this intense overwhelming fear of the dark. Like the hounds of hell live in the dark and they are going to get me if I move. It's so bad that sometimes I'm paralyzed. I thought it was me being crazy.

It's happened for as long as I can remember. I'm sitting here trying to remember the first memory and all I can remember is being very little in the dark on my bed in the corner scared. I bet that's where it started.

 

[Marine/w/PTSD]

I dont fear the dark but maybe something similar, when I'm swimming in the Ocean and I know there's thousands of feet under me of just water and life, it scares me almost as much as a high place

 

[Sues]

I have that same feeling Marine/w/PTSD. I feel like there's way too much underneath me that I can't see or escape from.

 

[Britt.f7]

when I'm swimming in the Ocean and I know there's thousands of feet under me of just water and life, it scares me

I don't like the darkness beneath me either. I can see why that would scare you as much as heights. Don't know what is swimming around me, but I try not to think about it.

When my sister was younger she would freak if we went in the deeper water, even if you could see bottom, but mostly the dark water. I wondered if something happened to her, until I had a son who I was trying to teach how to swim at the Y. He was under a year. If we stayed near the edge or shallow end he was fine. The minute we walked into deeper water, even with holding me and having a floaty, he screamed bloody murder. He was the only baby to do this. Needless to say, after a couple classes like this it was suggested we not come anymore. I'm happy to say he now jumps in the water, even lakes, without issue.

Of course this isn't anything like you experience, but I just thought I'd share.

 

[girlshawn]

man deep water that is murky makes me nuts. I live on a bay that I love to look at, walk around it when I can but... I took this kayaking class because I'm a firm believer in facing your fears. I put on my big girl britches and got in the pool no problems, happy as a lark, did the rolls, had a blast. Then it came time for that damnable bay. I stood on the bank longer then everyone and finally got in. I said I came here to face this I can do this.. but in my head I was telling myself I was fatter then everyone in the group, no one liked me why bother, this isn't going to work and I'm slow like a fat girl and wow this just went on and on and on.


I climbed on that kayak and did ok until I fell in - sheer panic

I felt the crush of the world closing in and I haven't been in water like that again. I want to conquer this because I love water, well swimming and playing in it.


I think this is a symptom of a bigger issue though. so there its.

I'm glad this board is here and I can read everyone's writings.

 

[Marine/w/PTSD]

I don't like the darkness beneath me either. I can see why that would scare you as much as heights. Don't know what is swimming around me, but I try not to think about it.

I can relate to that, I almost drowned when i was little because I fearlessly jumped into a swimming pool. it wasn't until i took a whole lot of swimming lessons that i have no fear of swimming anymore, just merely the location of the water.

 

[confusedcaregiver]

I used to be terrified of the dark. Like to the point where I would practically pray I didn't have to go to the washroom at night and wake up. Even just in my room it would sketch me out, but I also used to get some pretty intense night terrors, and would wake up screaming. Fortunately both have left me alone for many years, though I have no idea how that came about.

Strangely enough, only ever applied to being at home. Being outside or in a car at night was typically quite pleasant.

 

[Lionheart]

I was locked in a closet as a child because I was afraid of the dark and I am still a bit afraid of it. I sleep with a light on mainly because I do not want to be caught off guard in my sleep and I think this is related to PTSD/hypervigilence

Sometimes, I cannot sleep if the light is on and I will sleep in the dark, but I am 51 yrs old and still have a preference for light. I don't consider it to be a big problem, but rather an adjustment. It doesn't have to be full lighting, the solution can be as simple as placing a night light in my room (or leaving a light on in another room), so that I am not in total darkness. *(I also keep a flashlight near my bed in case of a blackout).

I don't know if those things would help your situation, but it seems to me that being afraid of the dark is normal for those of us who have experienced traumas that occurred in darkness and I think it's also normal to want to protect ones-self from the unseen. It is probably not too surprising then that I find the light of a candle flame to be most comforting.

At any rate, I wish you peace with your fear!!!

 

[Emily The Strange]

Hi

I have a major fear of the dark. I am unable to leave the house when it's dark and all curtains have to be closed and lights on if I'm walking around the house. I try not to move about the house too much when it's dark. I generally get home and stay in my bedroom for the night. During the night when I attempt to sleep I have to have the door shut and on a good night I have to haver a night light on but generally I have the main light on.

The only place I can sleep in the dark is at my boyfriend house as long as he is in the bed with me. If he leaves the room to get a drink or go to the toilet he always turns the light on so i don't panic when he re enters the room.

I've been told that it's to be expected to not cope well with the dark if trauma occurs in the dark. Apparently it's very common to find that people have torches etc next to them as well as some form of weapon just in case, I know I have a golf club next to my room. I don't expect to have to use it but it helps me to relax just knowing it's there.

 

[safenow]

I was locked in a closet when I was a wee child. But in there I didn't get hurt, so I liked it. Even now, when my little are out, or scared, they like to sleep in the closet.

However, after my home was broken into as an adult, I fear the dark. I have a light on in my kitchen 24/7. I have a night light in the bathroom that is bright enough to allow me to see in the bedroom.

I like the night when I am outside in the country, but not in the city.

 

[WillThereBeCake]

I can't sleep in the dark, but it might be a habit thing. I grew up in a large family, so the hall light was always on so no one stumbled going to the restroom and woke up the whole house. I have always had a light on, or sleep with the TV on so I can get my bearings whenever I wake up. However, there probably are other roots in it, as total darkness freaks me out completely, and I lose all sense of time and space. I'd make a horrible terrorist. One minute of sensory deprivation, and I'd sing like a bird. :)

 

[InHell11]

I am not exactly afraid of the dark by itself, its more the issue of I don't want to wake up in the dark feeling anxious and I can't seem to relax myself enough to sleep if it's too dark. Makes it hard to see and I feel the need to be able to see what is around me or I don't feel safe enough to sleep.

It kind of sucks though because I am sensitive to light, so light can also make it hard to sleep.