What is the psychological disorder of being afraid of the dark

Fear of the dark may be a manifestation of dark phobia, which belongs to a specific type of phobia. Dark phobia may be related to childhood trauma, genetic factors, anxiety disorders, sensory sensitivity, negative associations, and other factors. If the level of fear seriously affects daily life, it is recommended to seek psychological intervention.

Patients with dark phobia experience excessive alertness and somatic symptoms towards dark environments, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, or trembling, which are usually associated with overactivation of the amygdala in the brain. Some patients develop conditioned fear due to experiencing frightening events in the dark during childhood. Sensory sensitive individuals may have catastrophic associations with subtle sounds or blurry visual information in the dark, further exacerbating anxiety. Long term sleep deprivation or accumulated stress can also lower the tolerance threshold for darkness. In rare cases, fear of the dark may be a accompanying symptom of generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. Some neurological disorders, such as early signs of epileptic seizures or Alzheimer's disease, may also exhibit abnormal sensitivity to changes in light. If there are symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, or loss of realism, serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia should be ruled out.

It is recommended that people who are afraid of the dark gradually undergo exposure therapy training, starting from a low light environment to adapt to the darkness, and cooperating with mindfulness breathing to alleviate physical symptoms. Maintaining a regular schedule and moderate exercise can help regulate the sensitivity of the nervous system. The bedroom can be equipped with dimmable night lights, and warm toned light sources can be selected to reduce visual stimulation. If the self-regulation effect is limited, cognitive behavioral therapy or seeking evaluation from a psychiatrist can be accepted, and if necessary, combined with anti anxiety therapy. Parents should empathize with their children's fear of the dark instead of denying it, and help them establish a sense of security towards the darkness through games.