nyctophobia
Fear of darkness
Nyctophobia is an abnormal or irrational fear of the dark.
While mild unease in darkness is common, especially in children, nyctophobia describes anxiety severe enough to interfere with daily life: Her nyctophobia made it impossible to sleep without every light on.
The term appears in clinical and popular contexts alike.
Dark areas from blocked light
- blackoutComplete power loss
- dimnessInsufficient illumination
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- twilightLight after sunset
dusk · nightfall · obscurity · pitch-black · unlit · moonless · blindness · basement
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
trembling · sweating · avoidance · insomnia · nightmares · hypervigilance · restlessness · crying
Frightening imaginary creatures
- boogeymanFrightening figure for children
- nightlightDim plug-in lamp
- bedtimeDesignated hour for retiring
- imaginaryExisting only in thought
shadows · stuffed-animal · bedwetting · co-sleeping · nightmare · developmental
Curative mental treatment
- cognitive-behavioralRelating thought to action
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- psychologistMental behavior specialist
- psychiatristMental disorder physician
shadows
Dark areas from blocked light
twilight · dusk · nightfall · obscurity · pitch-black · unlit · moonless · blindness · basement · closet
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
hyperventilation · trembling · sweating · avoidance · insomnia · nightmares · hypervigilance · restlessness · crying · freezing
monsters
Frightening imaginary creatures
- boogeymanFrightening figure for children
- nightlightDim plug-in lamp
- bedtimeDesignated hour for retiring
imaginary · shadows · stuffed-animal · bedwetting · co-sleeping · nightmare · developmental
claustrophobia
Dread of enclosed areas
- autophobiaFear of being alone
- somniphobiaFear of sleep
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- cognitive-behavioralRelating thought to action
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- psychologistMental behavior specialist
psychiatrist · anxiolytic · desensitization · meditation · hypnotherapy
phobia, nocturnal, nocturne, agoraphobia, nocturnes, nocturnality, hydrophobia, noctambulism