• Question: why are some people scared of the dark?

    Asked by cfib to Helen on 22 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Helen O'Connor

      Helen O'Connor answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi, Cfib. Good question.

      Normally we can use information from ALL our senses (sight, sound, touch etc) to help us know what is going on around us. When one of our senses can’t be used, our brains try to “fill in the gaps” using the other senses. In the dark, we lose our sight which is usually our main way of knowing what’s going on around us.

      So what happens when we hear a strange noise? Usually we would look around for what’s making that noise, and it wouldnt be anything to worry about. But when we don’t have our sight, we strain our ears and become sensitive to senstations on our skin, and as well we “build a picture” using our memory and imagination. Often those memories and imaginary ideas are from the worst kind of horror films or news stories – this makes your heart thump louder and adrenalin pump around your body so you feel really anxious.

      People who don’t like the dark can learn different ways to cope – including laughing about how unlikely it is that any of the things they are imagininig could really happen.

      I used to have to have the door open a chink when I went to bed as a child, and I still prefer to sleep in a room with the door slightly open. It’s not good to sleep with a light on in the room though as this can disturb our sleep so we dont feel as rested in the morning.

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