Student Name: Mya Delanna Harding

Subject: English A

School: St. Charles High School

Centre Number: 160060

Candidate Number: 1600600201

Year: 2020

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Plan of investigation 3

Reflection #1 4

Reflection #2 5

Reflection #3 6

Group Report 7

Oral Presentation Overview 8

Bibliography 9

Appendix 10-19

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 PLAN OF INVESTIGATION

My group and I chose the topic ‘Phobias’ and my sub-topic ‘Nyctophobia’ because it is a
peculiar topic and only a few people have gained knowledge on it. Being a victim of
nyctophobia, researching the topic will aid me in finding a cure. I expect to not only gain
knowledge but expand my vocabulary as well. I will use various websites and fellow classmates
to collect data. My three pieces; song, article and poem will be obtained from the internet. I will
use English skills such as reading and summarizing to not only do this SBA but also improve my
skills so as to compose articulate pieces in the future.

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 REFLECTION #1

My article entitled ‘What Is Nyctophobia and How Is It Treated?’ which I obtained via the
internet, affected the way I perceived Nyctophobia. My article not only broadened my
perspective but also helped me realize the difference between fear and phobia. Now that phobias
result in irrational fear, I can easily tell from observation who among me has a fear or a phobia.
My poem entitled ‘Nyctophobia’ opened my eyes as to how paralyzing a phobia can be. My
poem is about someone who not only has insomnia, a by-product of nyctophobia, but “sleeps”
with a gun. The purpose of the firearm is to protect him from the unknown.
My song entitled ‘Nyctophobia’ is about someone who is haunted by hallucinations. Their fear
of the dark has made them conjure unrealistic characters in their mind. The song showed me that
the only cure for this irrational fear is daylight. I also gathered that it affects the daily lives of its
victims in a horrible way preventing them from achieving even short-term goals.

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 REFLECTION #2

My article entitled ‘What Is Nyctophobia and How Is It Treated?’ is a research article. The
headline conveys what the article entails. My article consists of advanced vocabulary and
medical terms such as ‘cognitive’ and ‘insomnia’ respectively. It uses formal and connotative
language to present information gathered from studies and statistics.
My poem entitled ‘Nyctophobia’ is a short piece written in formal English. The tone of the
author leads me to believe that he is in distress. For example the line, “Until morning brings a
light, until I can see what I fear”. The poet’s mood is somewhat gloomy and also terrified. The
mood of the poem and its structure (medium length lines) tell me that the poet is in a state of
constant fear and panic, for example, “Let no one, nothing in here / until the shadows disappear.”
My song entitled ‘Nyctophobia’ was written in formal English and conveys confusion.
Although the writer’s tone seems calm and the mod unbothered, he is clearly confused by his
fear of the darkness around him. For example, “Paranoia has the measure of me / hallucinations
now dictate reality.” The structure suggests that his thoughts are jumbled as it is written in
various lengths.

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 REFLECTION #3

The SBA process helped me improve my analytical skills. The period in which I spent
searching for and analysing my pieces unconsciously helped my overall ability to effectively do
research. The knowledge gained helped develop my analytical skills enabling me to understand
written material and produce a concrete summary. Being placed into groups also enhanced my
communication skills. The need to stay in touch with my group members and work alongside
them encouraged me to be more vocal about my opinions, as well as understand and interpret
others’ opinions. The information gathered on my topic ‘Nyctophobia’ helped me to better
understand persons who suffer with this irrational fear. My poem and article especially,
contributed to the benefit mentioned prior as they convey the emotions of persons who actually
experience nyctophobia.

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 GROUP REPORT

In a group of five (5) members we chose to investigate the topic ‘Phobias’ because people are
not aware of the severity of these irrational fears. Each of our group members chose a sub-topic
which they could relate to. There are: claustrophobia, acrophobia, agoraphobia, nyctophobia and
hippopotomonstroesquipediophobia.
It was imperative that each group member sourced a poem, article and song that pertained to
their sub-topic. This data was obtained via the internet and various books. We chose those
sources because they were the most accommodating to each member. Members of the group who
were experiencing difficulty were assisted by other members of each group.
The different phobias seem to have numerous effects on individuals. In analysing the poem for
nyctophobia, it put the readers in the perspective of the victim. It shows how the night and
darkness affects the individual in the poem. While investigating the song for claustrophobia, it
showed us the numerous causes and effects of this phobia. While inspecting the article for
hippopotomonstroesquipediophobia, we saw the different symptoms and ways in which we could
manage this phobia. In conclusion, phobias are a cross which certain individuals have to carry
and it can be both positive and negative according to the type of phobia. It is not always positive
since some people see their phobia as a burden, however, sometimes these phobias can help you
become stronger and maybe you will be able to help someone overcome their fear like you did.

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 ORAL PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

I had never heard a silence more deafening than the one surrounding me, and I flattened my
palms against my ears in a failed attempt to keep my fears at bay. I know they are here, that they
are watching me, but I can’t show weakness. I can feel their presence. I sit and pretend to be
calm, but I am so afraid. I squeeze my eyes shut but darkness welcomes me once more.
Nyc.to.pho.bi.a (noun) - Extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness.
I have never been physically paralyzed before but as I feel the darkness continue to consume
me, I realize that this is what being paralyzed must feel like. The helplessness, the shock and the
panic of not having the ability to do anything for yourself is a horrible feeling that is inexplicable
but it is something that I am going to have to live with for the rest of my life. ​I can feel them.
There are creatures, lurking beyond the shadows and I know they are watching me. There
is no way something so terrifying does not have an inhabitant to accompany it. I want to scream.
To cry out for help but I know most people would only laugh at me. Mother will be home soon, I
need to stop my foolish behaviour.
However, it does not work like that. I cannot just shut off my feelings and pretend that I am not
scared. This isn’t regular emotion, this is fear. This is experiencing anxiety, frustration, anger
and everything else all at once and not being able to do anything about it. It is pure helplessness
and there isn’t a worse feeling in the world than not being able to help oneself.
I hear a door open and shut in the distance along with the light steps of my mother. I try, for
my own sake, to get up and preserve some of my dignity so that I am not caught crouched
against the wall with my eyes clenched and my hands against my ears. I try, I really do, to get up
and pretend to be unaffected by something that has been haunting me for years, something that
mother calls nothing. After a while I give up because I don’t care how undignified I look

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anymore. If mother can’t understand what I am going through then that is fine. I’ll just continue
to manage the situation the way I have my entire life, alone.
“Sweetheart, are you in here?” she asks. Her voice is soft and reminds me of sunny days and
flowers but even that is not enough of a distraction. I know I cannot speak so I let her continue
her investigation of my whereabouts, subconsciously hoping that she will find me and get me out
of here. The sliver of light that emits from the door that is now ajar continues to grow until the
room is washed in light and I can see my mother’s silhouette. I rush over to the door, my
momentary paralysis disappearing with the darkness.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

● Article: healthline.com/health/nyctophobia
● Poem: rattle.com/nyctophobia-by-patrick-ryan-frank/
● Song: metrolyrics.com/ntctophobia-lyrics-asia.html

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 APPENDIX

Article

What Is Nyctophobia and How Is It Treated?

● Symptoms
● Risk factors
● Sleep disorders
● Diagnosis
● Treatment

Outlook​ Nyctophobia is an extreme fear of night or darkness that can cause intense symptoms of
anxiety and depression. A fear becomes a ​phobia​ when it’s excessive, irrational, or impacts your
day-to-day life.

●
Overview

Being afraid of the dark ​often starts​ in childhood and is viewed as a normal part of development.
Studies​ focused on this phobia have shown that humans often fear the dark for its lack of any

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visual stimuli. In other words, people may fear night and darkness because they cannot see
what’s around them.

While some fear is normal, when it starts to impact daily life and sleep patterns, it may be time to
visit your doctor.

Symptoms

The symptoms you may experience with nyctophobia are much like those you would experience
with other phobias. People with this phobia experience extreme fear that causes distress when
they’re in the dark. Symptoms may interfere with daily activities, and school or work
performance. They may even lead to health issues.

Different phobias share similar symptoms. These signs may be either physical or emotional.
With nyctophobia, symptoms may be triggered by being in the dark or even thinking about
situations where you’d find yourself in the dark.

Physical symptoms include:

● trouble breathing
● racing heart rate
● chest tightness or pain
● shaking, trembling, or tingling sensations
● light-headedness or dizziness
● upset stomach
● hot or cold flashes
● sweating

Emotional symptoms include:

● overwhelming feelings of anxiety or panic

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 ● an intense need to escape the situation
● detachment from self or feeling “unreal”
● losing control or feeling crazy
● feeling like you may die or lose consciousness
● feeling powerless over your fear

Normal fears versus phobias

Having some fear of the dark doesn’t necessarily mean you have a phobia. However, when the
fear starts interfering with your everyday life, it may be considered irrational fear.

Risk factors

Fear of darkness and night often starts in childhood between the ages of ​3 and 6​. At this point, it
may be a normal part of development. It’s also common at this age to fear:

● ghosts
● monsters
● sleeping alone
● strange noises

For many children, sleeping with a nightlight helps until they outgrow the fear. When the fear
makes it impossible to sleep, causes severe anxiety, or continues into adulthood, it may be
considered nyctophobia.

Additional risk factors include:

● An anxious caregiver.​ Some children learn to be fearful by seeing a parent’s anxiety

over certain issues.
● An overprotective caregiver.​ Some may develop a generalized anxiety if they’re too
dependent on a parent or caregiver, or if they feel helpless.
● Stressful events.​ Trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or injury, may also make a
person more likely to develop a phobia.

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 ● Genetics.​ Some adults and children are simply more susceptible to fears, ​possibly​ due to
their genetics.

Nyctophobia and sleep disorders

Nyctophobia may be associated with a sleep disorder, like ​insomnia​. A small ​study​ on college
students with insomnia uncovered that nearly half of the students had a fear of the dark. The
researchers measured the students’ responses to noises in both light and darkness. Those who
had the most trouble sleeping were more easily startled by noise in the dark. Not only that, but
the good sleepers actually became used to the noises with time. The students with insomnia grew
more and more anxious and anticipatory.

Diagnosis

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you or your child:

● have trouble sleeping

● feel particularly anxious or distressed in the dark
● have another reason to believe you may have nyctophobia

Diagnosis involves meeting with your doctor and answering questions about your symptoms.
Your doctor may also ask for a psychiatric and social history. From there, your doctor may use
the diagnostic criteria from the ​Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
Edition (DSM-5)​ on specific phobias to make a formal diagnosis.

Nyctophobia and sleep disorders

Nyctophobia may be associated with a sleep disorder, like ​insomnia​. A small ​study​ on college
students with insomnia uncovered that nearly half of the students had a fear of the dark. The
researchers measured the students’ responses to noises in both light and darkness. Those who
had the most trouble sleeping were more easily startled by noise in the dark. Not only that, but

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the good sleepers actually became used to the noises with time. The students with insomnia grew
more and more anxious and anticipatory.

Diagnosis

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you or your child:

● have trouble sleeping

● feel particularly anxious or distressed in the dark
● have another reason to believe you may have nyctophobia

Diagnosis involves meeting with your doctor and answering questions about your symptoms.
Your doctor may also ask for a psychiatric and social history. From there, your doctor may use
the diagnostic criteria from the ​Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
Edition (DSM-5)​ on specific phobias to make a formal diagnosis.

Treatment

Some phobias don’t necessarily require treatment, especially if your fear is of something you
don’t normally encounter in everyday life, like snakes or spiders. Nyctophobia, on the other
hand, can make it very difficult to get enough sleep. That can affect your overall health and lead
to sleep disorders like insomnia.

In general, you may consider seeking treatment if:

● your fear makes you feel extreme anxiety or panic

● you feel your fear is excessive or even unreasonable
● you avoid certain situations due to your fear
● you’ve noticed these feelings ​for ​six months​ or longer

One treatment for people with insomnia involves leaving a dark bedroom to sleep in a lit room.
The issue with this treatment is that it doesn’t address the phobia.

Other treatment options include:

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Exposure therapy

This treatment exposes people to their fears repeatedly until the thing they fear, such as being in
the dark, no longer triggers feelings of anxiety or panic.

There are a couple of ways to be exposed to fears, including visualizing the fear and
experiencing the fear in real life. Many treatment plans blend these two approaches. Some
exposure-based treatment plans have worked for people in as little as ​one​ ​long session.

Cognitive therapy

This type of therapy helps people identify their feelings of anxiety and replace them with more
positive or realistic thoughts.

With nyctophobia, a person may be presented with information to show that being in the dark
doesn’t necessarily lead to negative consequences. This type of treatment is usually not used
alone to treat phobias.

Relaxation

Relaxation treatment includes things like deep breathing and exercise. It can help people manage
the stress and physical symptoms related to their phobias.

Medication

Medication isn’t always an appropriate treatment for people with specific phobias. Unlike
medications for other anxiety disorders​, there’s little research regarding treating specific phobias
with medication.

Outlook

If you suspect that your or your child has nyctophobia, there are many resources where you
might find help. Contacting your doctor or a psychologist is a good first step toward getting
treatment.

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 Many people experience fear related to anything from ​flying​ to ​enclosed spaces​. When fear
interferes with your everyday life and affects your sleep, especially if it’s been six or more
months, let your doctor know. Treatment through cognitive or behavioural therapy can help you
overcome your fear and get a better night’s rest.

Poem

Patrick Ryan Frank

NYCTOPHOBIA

—The fear of night or darkness.

I’ll stay awake, stay up all night,

Keep wide my eyes and cocked my ears;
I’ll keep the whole damn room within my sight,
The phone in my left hand, a gun in my right;
I’ll lock up the doors and windows tight,
Let no one, nothing get in here
Until the shadows disappear,
Until the morning brings a light,
Until I can see what I should fear.

Song

Don't blow the candle out, just leave it by my bed

With all these ghosts and visions, trolls inside my head
Just when the wolf will howl, the dogs begin to bark
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This is for real, I have a fear of the dark
And as the endless nights will overturn the days
Intellectual logic seems to vanish in a haze
Paranoia has the measure of me
Hallucinations now dictate reality
I'm hearing voices now, I wish that I could see
I look around, I know there's no-one here but me
The mirror shimmers there's an angel here at last
Always demons looking back, and laughing through the glass
Don't blow the candle out, just leave it by my bed
With all these ghosts and visions, trolls inside my head
Just when the wolf will howl, the dogs begin to bark
This is for real, I have a fear of the dark
And as the endless nights will overturn the days
Intellectual logic seems to vanish in a haze
Paranoia has the measure of me
Hallucinations now dictate reality
I'm hearing voices now, I wish that I could see
I look around, I know there's no-one here but me
The mirror shimmers there's an angel here at last
Always demons looking back, and laughing through the glass
Nyctophobia, fear of the dark
I am confused, I really don't know what to think
Maybe Mr Allen does 'cause he's a Harley shrink
He asks me how I feel, I mumble "just okay"
He says "ok's not a feeling, Jack, we need to peel away
The layers of your onion, your emotional disease
Blow all these candles out, I want you on your knees"
It's way too dark in here, it's silent as the grave
It's cold and clammy, like I'm sealed into a cave
There is no air in here, I'm drowning in my fear
And if I close my eyes, the ground will disappear
I have a chronic phobia, and up until this day
There is no guarantee that it will go away
Nyctophobia, fear of the dark

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