Although many do not know the term, Scotophobia is an extremely common fear among children.Even the best of days can turn into a nightmare for them when the sun goes down and darkness sets in. To make the night less traumatic, many parents buy their children night lights; others allow their children to sleep with them to make them feel protected.
But Why does fear of darkness appear?
This phobia, like so many autumns, It has its origin in the very nature of the human being. Man, in his origins, was afraid of the darkness because I could harbor dangers hidden fears that could put their lives at risk. However, over the years it has become an irrational fear.
Nevertheless, Having an occasional fear of the dark may not necessarily be related to scotophobia.. Fear in specific situations, such as walking alone at night, can be a perfectly rational response to a potential danger. It would be very different to experience this fear in our own room, where no one can harm us.
Is it normal for my children to be afraid of the dark?
If we consider what we have explained previously, anyone might think that the fear of darkness in children is irrational and, therefore, something to worry about.
However, it should be noted that A child's brain is not as developed like that of an adult. This would explain why it is more common for children to see the night as a danger, even when they are in the safety of their bed.
In addition, there are other factors that can make nights unpleasant, such as loneliness. Sometimes the problem comes not from the darkness itself, but from the association that the child makes between this and the absence of the parents.
Is it possible to suffer from scotophobia in adulthood?
Although it is less common among adults, scotophobia is not only a problem that affects children. During adulthood, Scotophobia is closely related to anxiety disorders.
Those who suffer from it not only experience fear of the dark, but also of anticipate upon arrival. The mere thought of darkness could trigger anxiety in a scotophobic adult.
As a result, a scotophobic might experience difficulties in their daily life as:
- Lack of sleep.
- Anxiety attacks.
- Resentment of personal relationships if, for example, you avoid going out at night.
How do I know if I have scotophobia?
There are several signs that can help us distinguish scotophobia proper from the occasional fear of the dark. For example, a scotophobic person might experience symptoms common among anxiety patients, such as restlessness, tremors, and difficulty moving or breathing.
In addition, scotophobia may be accompanied by symptoms such as migraines, excessive sweating, dry mouth and loss of appetite.
Possible causes of scotophobia
- Traumatic events: John Watson was a scholar of classical conditioninga learning method that consists of associate a neutral stimulus with another stimulus that provokes a response. If we apply classical conditioning to scotophobia we will come to the conclusion that, in many cases, scotophobics are not afraid of darkness in itself, but of a traumatic event that they associate with darkness and whose appearance is anticipated by the absence of light. Any trauma could trigger this behavior: from a loud noise in the middle of the night to a horror movie.
- Observation: he vicarious conditioningor observational learning, could be another cause of scotophobia. Through this type of learning, The fear of the dark is acquired by observing that another person suffers from this fear. For example, children whose siblings are afraid of the dark might develop this same fear through vicarious conditioning.
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Overcoming the fear of darkness with the help of a psychologist
Living with scotophobia is not easy. As with any other phobia, the individual who suffers from it can develop avoidant behaviors in order to escape from the stimulus that frightens him. However, escaping the darkness is not as easy as it seems and It can seriously affect daily life of those who fear her.
Psychological therapy has proven to be a sure weapon against specific phobias. Through methods such as Mindfulnesswhich consists, broadly speaking, in paying attention to what surrounds us; or the cognitive behavioral therapywhich addresses the patient's thoughts and behaviors, psychologists can eradicate the fear of the dark.
One of the techniques that has shown the best results when it comes to addressing irrational fears is systematic desensitizationThis technique, developed by Joseph Wolpe, consists of subjecting the patient to the cause of his phobia, at the same time as relaxation techniques are introduced.
In Psychia We are experts in online therapy since 2012. Our professionals can help you overcome your phobia from the comfort of your home. If you want to try our services, request your online therapy now. first date free.