Afraid of being alone at night

[smhaber]

My daughter is 18 and about to graduate from high school.  This past winter my wife and I were out and she was home alone.  She heard a noise and after our dog stopped barking she called us right away.  When we arrived at home we found footprints in the snow outside of my office window.  Since that time my daughter is deftly afraid of being alone in the house at night.  She is heading off to college in the fall and her anxiety is getting worse and worse.  Before this event she applied for honors housing (alone) and received it.  She wants to get a roommate now but the college says it is too late.  I would really appreciate some new ideas besides the ones I have tried already.  I have tried telling her to double check everything and then do something relaxing to take her mind off of her fear such as listen to her IPOD, read an engrossing book, watch something funny on TV, etc.  She claims it's not really helping thought.  Any new suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[Paxiled]

This is about the age when people develop mental dysfunction.  I think a good therapist might be appropriate right now.

[silverberg]

have her talk with the college police and see how they police the campus and dorms. remind her that what she experienced was a single situation and there is NO PROOF that them foot prints had anything to do with a break in. guesses are not fact. ask her point blank what she wants to do about this anxiety? how does she feel she can learn to understand a single situation does not dictate our lives. but it's up to her to take action on this fear! and she will have support from family, even have her, post here for others to reply. good luck,