Nighttime fears

[CML315]

My step son is eight years old and he has a fear of the dark. More specifically he is afraid that a serial killer will get him in the dark. He doesn't fear monsters or ghosts or any of the "normal" childhood fears and the specific fear cocerns me. I am sure it has something to do with seeing something on TV. I have found plenty of solutions to fears of monsters and and dark shadows but this is new to me and I am curious if there is anything I can do to help him over come this fear.

[dagger981]

my brother is 12 year old,he's physically and mentally fit.no complain,at all.
last year,he started to experience sort of dark fear,and so he's been tellin' us that there's someone after him.over and over again
he can't go to the bathroom by him self,he can't go to the kitchen niether.
we'r all confused,and have no idea how to deal with him.instead we complied to whatever he'd ask us to do for him,in so much that he's too spoiled now,and dependable on my mom,he became more like her own shadow,and these days his fear of the dark or empty places are growin'.he won't lay his head on pillow unless my mom is in the room,otherwise he would never sleep alone.he keeps sayin' : i feel someone's breath by my ear!!!  
.he feels too shy when sees girls!!!.
we really need help.
thanks
  

[margypops]

First thing to do is vet all he is watching on TV you say it has come form that source so check out what he is watching,does he also go visiting other friends and Family who may put scary stuff on ...what about the Computer ther is some nasty stuff children find on that ..Be in control of what he sees and what others say to him and it will stop .Good Luck