Nyctophobia

Nyctophobia, also called noctophobia, is an intense fear of the night and of dark environments, going beyond the ordinary human wariness of night as a time people are not naturally equipped to see in. It is often triggered or worsened by a recent disturbing event or exposure to frightening media that the mind comes to associate with darkness, and can involve fear of nocturnal creatures, real or fictional. Physical symptoms include breathlessness, sweating, nausea, a dry mouth, trembling, heart palpitations and difficulty thinking clearly. The condition is most commonly observed in children but also affects adults, and without treatment can become severely disruptive to daily functioning. Treatment includes exposure therapy paired with relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and, in severe cases, medication. The name comes from the Greek nyktos, night, and phobos, fear.