Why does darkness scare people

Many people experience panic attacks. When they occur frequently with no clear triggers, a person may have panic disorder. Learn about these issues…. A panic attack can seem like a terrifying heart attack for those experiencing one. Knowing how to stop them can help you regain control of your life. What to know about nyctophobia. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. What is it? Symptoms Causes Overcoming it Summary Nyctophobia is an irrational or extreme fear of the dark.

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Related Coverage. Some fears are acquired based on specific life experiences; others are more universal and innate. Fear of darkness, which in extreme forms is known as nyctophobia or achluophobia, falls into that latter category. The dark leaves us vulnerable and exposed, unable to spot any threats that may be lurking nearby.

For much of human history, dark meant danger, and fearing it meant taking precautions to stay safe. Evolutionarily, it was an advantage. But the color's link to gloom still emanates across cultures, for example in American and European mourning practices as well as in fictional depictions of evil -- like a witch's hat or the cape of the Grim Reaper.

The origins of this are part of our evolution. Black is "the color of night," Eiseman said, "the color of darkness. The color that conceals all. We fear what we cannot see. You're alone at night, cozied up on the couch and watching a movie, with the room a well-lit enclosure; your safety is not in question. There is a gust of wind outside.

The trees rattle and scrape against the window. You hear a loud fizzle, and the power goes out. You're now engulfed in pitch darkness, and for most people, fear is probably setting in. Fight your nightmares for a better night's sleep. Prehistorically, people would have been more at risk of being attacked by predators or by enemies when in the dark, he said. As early human civilisations slowly morphed into the city-loving societies we have today, our fear of the dark remained.

These traits are normally passed down by distant relatives over the centuries to the point of it getting implanted in our psyches. So, if you or a child in your life is afraid of the dark, remember that at one time it was a vital survival trait that kept our collective ancestors alive.