Many children are afraid of the dark. Usually it is mainly young children who suffer from this. However, it can also happen that teenagers or adults are afraid of the dark. What does this fear mean and what can you do about it if your child is afraid of the dark? And what can you do if you are afraid yourself? Many children are afraid of the dark. Usually it is mainly young children who suffer from this. However, it can also happen that teenagers or adults are afraid of the dark. What does this fear mean and what can you do about it?
Scared in the dark
It often happens that people are afraid of the dark. Children can quickly suffer from this. For example, they are afraid of monsters or shadows. This fear usually disappears over the years, when the imagination becomes less stimulated. However, older children can still be afraid and adults can also have difficulty with the dark.
Causes of fear
There are countless reasons why someone is afraid of the dark. It may have to do with a vivid imagination, but it could also be the result of a traumatic experience. For example, you have experienced something terrible in the dark and therefore you no longer dare to go to bed without a night light on. Sometimes it is also possible that people are not so much afraid of the dark, but that they are claustrophobic. This means that you are afraid of small, enclosed spaces. It feels suffocating. So it does not necessarily mean that the fear has to do with the dark, but that you are claustrophobic.
Resolving anxiety in small children
Small children can regularly be afraid of the dark. This often has to do with a vivid imagination. It is common for children to be triggered by scary stories or movies. Parents can therefore pay close attention to this by ensuring that the child does not see scary things just before going to sleep. Pay close attention to how your child reacts. As a parent you can best sense this. It is also important not to make a fear bigger than it is. Don’t tell your child that there are monsters hiding in the bedroom. If there is no fear, there is no need to create it. If the child is still afraid despite this, find out what works best for the child. Some children benefit from, for example, going on a ghost hunt with them. Of course, a night light can always make a difference.
Older children who are afraid of the dark
It is often said that older children should stop acting like this. They are old enough not to be afraid. That is of course easier said than done. Some children have a vivid imagination for longer or have another cause for their fear. Find out what the problem is and start the conversation. For example, it does not hurt to make it clear to older children that monsters really do not exist and to talk about the child’s fear.
When anxiety becomes a problem
You can also be afraid of the dark and experience a lot of trouble from it. A fear can develop into a phobia and this can seriously hinder a person in his or her actions. Adults sometimes suffer from this. Fear can also become problematic in the case of trauma. In that case, it is advisable to seek professional help. You can get a referral from a GP for a specialist, but it is always possible to find someone yourself who can help you with your problem. In many cases, specialist assistance is reimbursed by the health insurance fund.
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