Irrational fear of the dark?

Ok - I feel completely silly asking, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced an irrational fear of the dark, especially during the winter months when its dark till late in the morning. I have all this anxiety about the darkness in the morning and even late in the evening while I'm taking a shower and I have no idea where it comes from. Its slowly starting to pronounce itself again after a 2 year hiatus while I was on anti-depressants. Its one of those silly things I had when I was growing up and now that I'm an adult it has come back. I don't have any reason to fear the dark - no bad experiences, trauma, etc. I live in an ultra safe neighborhood but I can't bring myself to take my dog for a walk in the morning when it wasn't an issue last winter.

I'm wondering if its part of the regular anxiety that I used to experience and the anti-d's helped to ease it. I recently stopped the effexor I was taking in preparation for a more suitable alternative. I guess I was just wondering if this is just a silly little personality quirk or if it was something that was worth considering when I make the choice to resume anti-d's?

Thanks for the time to vent - hope you all enjoyed Halloween,

Putter

Oh Putter, I know exactly what you mean. I slept with a night light until I was in my 20's. Then I slept with the T.V. on. for the longest time. Now I have a street light right outside my bedroom window so I don't have to worry about it. Lucky Me, LOL. I'm not sure what it is I think is lurking in the dark, but I know for sure I don't want to find out either!! I personally have horrid dreams al lot, and when I wake up and it's dark it adds to my nightmare fear. I too, do not recall any trauma, or drama associated with the dark, I've just always been afraid. I'm sorry I can't offer any advice to cure the fear at all!! But maybe it helps just to know you aren't the only one. Sandra