how do i overcome my fear of sleeping alone and in the dark?
339856
Go to the toy store,and purchase\na large teddy bear - give a name\ntake him to bed with you at nite\n(curious how old are you?)
174814
Stay busy. Keep moving. Treat yourself to a pedicure. Just don't stop moving or your situation will consume you.\nFind ONE great friend and you will NEVER be alone. If depression is a factor, I suggest you seek counseling that would fit your personal beliefs. I have suffered from depression my whole life which makes you afraid of being alone and scared all the time. Counseling was the best step I ever took, but you have to implement what you learn into your life.
79360
Take the tv out of the bedroom. Lower the lights and make it a restful environment with nothing to busy your mind. Then if that alone doesn't work try Valerian Root or if you are over 25 try 1 mg. Melatonin.
318758
I asked a similar question and here was the answer I found most helpful. I give the credit to nightevisions. Hope it helps you too.\n\nIt helps to have a relaxing routine before bed. Do something calming. Whatever that might be for you... a warm bath, a hot cup of tea, reading a book... \n\nIf you lie there awake when you go to bed, occupy your mind in a non distressing way. Recite a childhood fairytale such as the 3 Bears... and when your mind starts to wander to everyday worries, pull it firmly back to the story... you'll fall asleep before you get past the porridge!
685752
By conquering your fear. Do one step at a time. \nFor Example:\n1. You are a shy person, you are afraid to make friends. What do you do? The next time you enter an elevator.. just say "Hi, how are you?" and when the person replied back, continue the conversation. If the person didn't answer, don't be despaired or embarrassed because chances are the person is as shy as you. Soon you realised.. you are not that shy anymore.\n\n2. You are not good with maths! Practice and the key is to understand the concept. Many refused to practice because they refused to learn the concept and without practice nothing helps. Once you get the first question right, you feel challenge and accomplished and soon you will be good with it.\n\n3. This is my own experience. I am so afraid to reformat my laptop because i never did it before and it was infected with spy ware. The advise I get from friends " Gees, very troublesome..can be complicated etc.etc. Why not ask the expert to do it?? it will cost you a couple of hundreds" Then i read the manual, it seems so easy and I think of the worst thing that can happen if i messed up. After evaluating the risk..I just took the step to do it and follow the instructions on the screen. It is as easy as ABC...nothing genius about it. It took only my time because I had to reinstall everything..my programs and the anti virus etc. All in all I spent a good 2hrs before my laptop run just like new.\n\nRemember, there is a saying... you built a house one stone at a time :)
1110321
when your in a safe place where you have no fear wear a blindfold. it sounds silly but it really will help plus it gives you a sense you never even knew you had. the more you do it the better you will understand that there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
445468
Everyone is afraid of something - even Heros are usually scared people who do the right things. Most of us learn to live with our fears , if we are afraid of the dark , we could take a light to bed with us, turn off the lights - wait 2 minutes turn it back on and keep doing this till we are familiar with everything . or leave a light on all night.When I was little I was scared of the man who stood in the corner when the lights were turned out and of course when my parents came to look he was always gone.He would come back as soon as they left. My parents left a light on down stairs that showed up through the register - they thought this was enough light but by taking a flashlight to bed I found that the light they turned on for us was actually creating the man - because right next to the register was my fathers coat rack with his good coat, a long one and his good hat sitting on the top.\nOne thing quit listening to or watching things that scare you , people think it is funny to scare others for some reason - probably because they are scared themselves.
977026
A psychologist specializing in phobias and anxiety treatment can help you. The condition is almost always curable.\nBest of luck.
696854
To end those phobias for good, go see a counselor. He or she, will probably refer you to a doc as well and then you'll be prescribed some medications.\nWith medication, counseling and time, I think you'll be fine.
936050
I am going to try and answer your question as honestly as possible.  I am a christian so that is where I am basing this answer on.  Going to the conference with your youth group can be an awesome opportunity for you, you must remember fear is not of God.  Pray and ask your youth group and parents to pray also that God will remove that fear of being away overnight.  God can do anything.  He loves you and WILL answer your prayers.  Know that the scary thoughts do come from satan and you have the power through God to tell him to leave you alone, he has no choice but to leave.  Then pray for God's peace. I too will pray for you.  I do hope you enjoy your conference :)
971852
I had a real problem with Agoraphobia.  I couldn't even look out any of the windows in the house.  I kept my indoor world dark and comfy.\n   I finally started forcing myself to get up in the mornings and open 'a' curtain. Then later I was opening all of the curtains in one room.  After awhile I was really wanting to go out on the front porch.  Everytime I tried and started opening the door I would hear a car coming and slam it shut.\n    It was awful.  \n Eventually I would make it out to the porch and stand there and look at the roses and smell the beautilful air...and run back in.\n  It has been a year and a half now.  I was stuck in here for 2 yrs. \nNow I have a car and actually go places by myself.\nIt was rough at first with the car.  I would drive around and not get out. I remember having to go to the bathroom really very badly and 'scared' to stop somewhere.  I ended up driving over 70 miles before I couldn't take it anymore and found a rest area on the interstate.\n   Yep, definately 'baby steps' is the way to go.\nI wish you or whoever it is all of the 'oomph' in the world!\n  You WILL make it ...it's not so bad out here...AND.... I know that I can always come home and  'cave-out' if I feel like I need to.\n     Good luck and be strong! ~wink, wink~
632277
Overcome Fear?\nFear of being stuck may hint at a difficult birth. If so, something can trigger it years later, but immediate awareness is not there, it is a more unconscious knowing. However, even if of a different origin or an unknown origin, you should be able to overcome such fear!\n\nWhat can you do? Fear of any kind may diminish from the use of Bio*Chakra Light MeditationTM. This may sound funny, yet this brief exercise only takes a minute or three, but has been very effective in the past. It helps dissolve the negative while staying positive! One can practice once a  day, in about 4-6 weeks changes may occur (or even sooner), at first on the inner plane, then in real life! One also learns to accept the positive and not to cling unto the negative.\n\nYou find this exercise spelled out at http://www.biochakra.com, click Hilites, go to the end of the monthly Hilite article, click Archives, Click Spiritual Energies, Predictions and the Bible, and find Bio*Chakra Light MeditationTM. It is in successful use since 1979!\n\nMay you overcome your fear, I am convinced you can!\nHappy recovery, cordially, India.Magica
9859
Total darkness might help.  A sleep mask can be very helpful.  I've used one for 12 years and highly recommend it.
53508
Hi there - I hate it when I have trouble sleeping. I moved about a year ago for that reason. I was living on a very busy street (in a large city). Now I am sleeping very well, but I'm living on the 38th floor so it's much quieter. \n\nA doctor told me that as long as you can get intervals of sleep between times of being awake, you'll probably be okay. \n\nIdeas for things to do when the world is quiet and dark???? Answer and ask questions (of course), write in a journal, get a coloring book and color (yeah, sounds silly, but it's very relaxing and therapeutic), write cards to friends, take up oil painting, reading (my activity of choice), listen to music and make a list of all the composers you have listened to, pray.
712127
I have the same problem. Not so much anymore but I used to. If you think your house is haunted just know that ghosts can't hurt you. Have you tried using a nightlight, or if you have a TV in your room, put it on sleep timer so it shuts off after you fall asleep.
167142
Seeing a therapist would be the best way.  They will most likely use one of 2 techniques either slowly introducing what you are scared of in increasing steps. For example go in a room where u feel a bit uncomfortable, breath, relax do that for a while then go on to more claustrophobic settings.  Another method, which isn't for every one, is to enter into an extremely claustrophobic setting until you realize and internalize that you are in no real danger.
116057
clear your mind of everything. let neutral thoughts flow through your mind. once you remembe you want to sleep fast you will screw everything, just foget about it and sleep will come on its own.