So i'm putting this question up here because i have recently started dating someone and my reactions to things and my fears seem to be odd to them. I don't really tell a lot of people about these things but its starting to affect my relationship a little bit.
I'm 18 now, but i think it started when i was younger. I've been afraid of the dark, if i'm in a dark room alone i just stay up for hours and panic, i look at the door to the window, i look for movement or noise, after a while i eventually tire my self out and go to sleep. That only occurred every so often. But recently this year mostly It has become a bigger issue. I think i see and hear things at night, they wake me up, but when i wake up and wake up my boyfriend nothing is there. Sometimes i'll just lay in bed for hours so afraid ... of i don't know what. A robber, a murderer, aliens, ghosts, demons? I don't want to make myself seem like i'm crazy but at this point it probably doesn't matter, but all those things i just listed are the things i'm actually afraid of, they are a real fear and danger to me, and i think that one of those things could actually hurt me.
In my head i want to tell myself, be realistic ! none of those bad things are going to come and get you. But at night when i'm alone and its dark i just can't control myself and the fear. The reason i think its paranoia is mostly because i don't want to believe that all those bad things are a possible threat to me. I want to get over them and not be afraid anymore, but that easier said then done.
should i take counseling? mention it to my doctor? anybody else have this problem?