Ever since I was little, I've been afraid of the dark. My family and friends (even my fiancé) had always teased me for it until recently. I was getting better about being out at night and sleeping with all the lights off, even during my anxious/angry moments, but for some reason this time I'm more terrified than I am angry.
I'm having trouble being alone, turning off lights, going outside, or even laying in bed without my cat next to me. When I'm inside, I feel like someone's constantly watching me from the other room. When I'm outside at night, I feel like every stick is a snake and every animal noise is something going to attack me. When I'm driving at night, I have a constant fear of something - or someone - running out in front of me. The last time I drove at night (2 days ago), I hallucinated a person running out in front of me and they disappeared right before I hit them. I even slammed on my breaks.. I'm just lucky that nobody was behind me. The only way I feel safe at night is if someone is with me at home or if I'm in a car that isn't moving with the doors locked.
I'm glad that my family and friends finally understand my problems but it's completely embarrassing that they have to walk me to my car or call me every couple of hours to make sure I'm okay because I'm fighting a panic attack the entire time.
I'm only getting a couple hours of sleep every night and I'm embarrassed about my family being so worried for me.
Does anyone else have this problem or know what I can do to move forward? I've tried looking this up online but the only "nighttime anxiety" results I find are about racing thoughts when they lay down at night.
Any help would be extremely appreciated! 