The dark..

[sidnee]

This might be the wrong place to stick this, but I'm going to go for it anyways.
As a result of abuse from childhood, I'm really really honestly terrified of the dark. Put me in a dark room and not only can I not sleep, but I very likely might end up insane within a few minutes.
I was thinking, and I realized that for me this is a problem. And I have to overcome it. In the day, I thought surely I could just turn off the lights and make myself do it..right? I'm a stubborn person. I gave it a good go. But I cant do it, and as over dramatic as it might sound, the attempt I gave got me upset enough that I never did go to sleep. I gave up on attempting to sleep or stay sane in the dark, but I never could go to sleep.
I KNOW that I need to get over this, I have to really.
It isnt going to be possible for me to always sleep with tons of lights.
But I have no logical idea how in the world I can do this, Any ideas?
TIA

 

[over the rainbow]

x

 

[Ladielissa]

I agree with Lifewanderer. I used to have this same problem. It is true, very bad things happened in the dark, so we think that by avoiding the dark, we have some type of control. If it is light, then nothing bad will happen. I slept with the lights on for YEARS. Then one day I decided that the closet light would be enough. Then I decided that a night light would be enough. Then after I got my little dog and he started to sleep with me, I got brave. I still sleep with my cell phone right next to me so that I can turn on the screen and make it light quickly if I want to. Most of all, I prayed A LOT. I prayed that I would find peace with what happened, and through all of the work that took, I was eventually able to let go and fall asleep in the dark.

 

[4hurting]

Phew I'm not alone then (Yeah but your a man) hmm, yikes, true, err nothing, oh heck already admitted it somewhere in the forum I think anyway.

So yeah, bring on the night lights, .

 

[myanchor]

So get some of those battery powered plug in night lights. If the power goes out, they come on. They are a night light too. Its okay to have a phobia, so long as it doesn't rule your life.