sensative 14yr old still afraid of the dark

[Purdydirl]

My son has always been afraid of the dark, however I thought he would have had this under control by now.  He sleeps with a bright light on at night and is a very light sleeper.  When I go into his room to shut the light off sometimes he wakes up and then I must stay with him until he falls back to sleep.  How can I help him?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

An additional note: If the sleep study is negative, consult with a psychologist or other adolescent mental health clinician who can assist your son, via Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with the anxiety disorder.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

While this behavior might signify only an anxiety disorder, it might also represent a sleep disorder. Ask your son's pediatrician for a referral to a sleep clinic.