Nyctophobia is actually the irrational, persistent and unwarranted fear of the dark or of night.

Normally, the sufferers of this phobic condition are the children.

Well, there are also some young adults out there (but not that much), who despite their age are still afraid of the dark or night because they have not actually faced their fear early on.

According to some studies, it is the paranoia that overtakes the person with nyctophobia, leaving him or her feeling weak and frightened, at times even when there is no real threat or harm at all.

Typically, a sufferer of nyctophobia lives a miserable life without having the chance to enjoy activities that involve being alone for some night walks, or even have some camping trips and explorations or wanderings.

Symptoms of Nyctophobia

Nyctophobia, just like most all phobias, may cause some symptoms that typically include nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, excessive sweating, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, fear of dying, and speech and thinking problems.

If the condition or the fear gets worser, some other symptoms such as loss of control or temperament, sense of detachment from reality and a full blown anxiety or panic attack may also be felt or experienced.

Possible Causes of Nyctophobia

Nyctophobia in children is said to be because of an experience where there is not much safety and security when being in the dark. In adults on the other hand, is said to be because of the fear of the dark that is not faced early on, and later on has evolved into something more serious.

At times, Nyctophobia both in children and adults, is said to be because of some brain irregularities and chemical imbalance that may have taken place prior to some traumatic events or happenings.

Treatments for Nyctophobia

Normally, the treatments for nyctophobia include anxiety medication and therapies like self help therapy.

Nowadays, anxiety medication is often recommended for cases where frequent panic attacks and lose of sleep take place. However, medication only “cures” the symptoms and so it is still best to use along a therapy like self help therapy to eventually resolve the root of the problem and eliminate the entire fear itself.