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Warwick Castle

One Poll

14 October 2010

FRIGHT NIGHT
Nearly five million British adults are scared of the dark, a study revealed yesterday (Wed).
Researchers found around ten per cent of the population are frightened by darkness or dark rooms and have been since they were young.
And one in four of those is so terrified they leave a bedside lamp light on all night to make them feel safer.
It also emerged that six out of ten leave a light on when they go out so they don't come home to a dark house.
The study of 3,000 adults was commissioned by Warwick Castle to mark the opening of their Haunted Hollows walk.
General manager Tim Harrison-Jones said: ''It's not unusual for children to be slightly afraid of the dark, but I was surprised at how many adults also harbour this secret.
''When you are in darkness, your mind can play tricks on you, and there is something quite scary about not being able to see your surroundings.
''Walking alone in the dark, is obviously scary, but it's quite unfortunate when people are so scared of the dark in their own home.
''If you are one of those people, perhaps it's not a good idea to watch a horror film before you go to bed.''
The study also found one in five of scared Brits has suffered a panic attack or become worked-up when they lights are turned off.
A quarter of people said they have been scared of the dark since they were a child.
For 12 per cent, things have become so bad they have even tried to have their phobia treated, with a quarter of those trying hypnotism and another 11 per cent seeing a therapist.
The survey also revealed that more than a quarter of those who are scared of the dark admit leaving a lamp on overnight to provide comfort.
Another 49 per cent said they avoid watching scary films or reading certain books before they go to bed so they don't end up with frightening images in their head.
More than half said they hated coming home to a pitch black house.
   
Sixty-one per cent will even leave lights on so the house isn't completely black when they walk through the door.
Another 46 per cent of people avoid going out alone at night because they don't like the darkness.
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com