Fear of the dark is very common for children and usually starts between the ages of 5 and 10. At this age, children become more aware of the dangers around them. However, they often have difficulty correctly assessing just how real these dangers are. Usually, this fear disappears naturally as children gain confidence and grow up, but in rarer cases it may persist into adulthood.

Principally, it is because darkness alters our main sense of reference: sight. This sense has taken over from the others, and human beings are particularly helpless in the dark. Not being able to see what's around us generates a feeling of insecurity. So, deprived of sight, the imagination runs riot, and our brains fill in the void with monsters under the bed!  Folk tales, fairy tales and legends often reinforce this, conveying the idea that the dark is the playground of evil creatures.

Why do we fear the dark ? Has it always existed ? What’s the difference between fear and phobia ? How can you overcome your fear ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

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