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- Symptoms persist for at least 6 months.
parentingscience.com/afraid-of-the-dark/Afraid of the dark: A troubleshooting guide - PARENTING SCIENCE
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With your understanding and support, your child will eventually feel safe at night and the fear of the dark will pass. This will take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If their fear persists, discuss it with your child’s pediatrician.
- Who Is at Risk of Nyctophobia?
- What Causes Nyctophobia?
- What Are The Triggers of Nyctophobia?
- What Are The Symptoms of Nyctophobia?
Nyctophobia is much more common in children than adults, but people of all ages can be afraid of the dark. Children and adults who had a traumatic or troubling experience in the dark are more likely to develop this type of phobia, especially if the event happened in the dark. Memories of that scary experience can return whenever the lights go out o...
Some researchers believe that fear of the dark probably dates back to our ancestors. Many, many years ago, when our ancestors lived and slept out in the open, the dark was very dangerous. Predators roamed at night, and our ancestors had to stay aware in order to survive. But nyctophobia isn’t just about being afraid of the dark. Kids and adults wit...
Nearly everyone feels uneasy or uncomfortable in the dark from time to time. But a specific phobia is more than just an occasional fear. Phobias get in the way of everyday life. Children and adults with nyctophobia often have severe anxiety when: 1. Entering a dark place (like a movie theater). 2. Getting ready for bed. 3. Seeing the sun go down. 4...
People with an extreme fear of the dark experience intense fear or anxiety when they’re in the dark or think about darkness. Children may avoid going to bed or refuse to turn the lights out at bedtime. Signs of nyctophobia include: 1. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and dry mouth. 2. Dizziness and headaches. 3. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)....
- Get to the root of the fear. Find out what it is about the darkness that’s scaring your child. Ask open-ended questions to allow your child to tell you what’s triggering their fear.
- Don’t reinforce the fear. Dr. O’Connor says it’s best not to participate in your child’s fear of things that go bump in the night. For example, promising to rid their room of the creatures or inspecting the closet for monsters can reinforce their fears.
- Encourage them to stay in their room. If you need to, it’s better to join your child in their room to provide comfort than to let them leave their bedroom and join you in yours or another room.
- Build your kid up. Building up your child’s self-confidence and coping skills during the day can help them overcome their fear of the dark. During daytime hours, work on activities that help build self-confidence.
Jun 24, 2019 · So how long do most children hold a fear of the dark? Dr Sheen says it depends on the child, their temperament and how the issue is managed. “A fear of the dark can go right through to primary school years.
May 7, 2020 · If this is happening when your child is about 2 or 3, it’s a safe bet that your child may have developed a fear of the dark. It’s pretty common at this age, said Dr. Alex Mabe, a psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and it’s completely developmentally normal.
Symptoms persist for at least 6 months. In addition to these signs, researchers also note that children may express their fear or anxiety by “crying, tantrums, freezing, or by clinging” (Samra and Abdijadid 2022). Are children born with a fear of the dark? Not exactly. After all, babies gestate in the darkness of the womb. It’s familiar and safe.
Aug 1, 2024 · Most children who are afraid of the dark grow out of it by age 12. Until then, caretakers can help children overcome their fear of the dark by:
