Posts by goldenbadger27

Honestly, I think we’ve all dealt with that kind of fear at some point—it's just that most of us manage to outgrow it as we get older. When I was younger, I used to experience something very similar to what you're going through; you just imagine there's someone or something lurking in the shadows, and you can't shake the feeling. You end up rushing to flip the light switch or something, but in your case, it sounds like you don't even dare to get out of bed.

I really feel like you can tackle this on your own by forcing yourself to get up in the middle of the night and walk through the dark to the bathroom or whatever. It helps to remind yourself that it's all happening inside your head—you aren't crazy, it's just that the human brain is incredibly complex and prone to playing tricks on us. I was probably just like you once; I'd imagine all sorts of things right after turning off the lights, and it was honestly so frustrating. Later on, when I started high school, I lived out in a rural area where the bus routes were pretty much non-existent, so I had to ride my bike everywhere. You can probably imagine how terrifying my first 35-minute ride in pitch-black darkness was, especially since there wasn't a single streetlamp for miles 😂

But eventually, you just get used to the dark and everything else. These days, I bike to my university classes—it takes about 40 minutes total, including a short 10-minute stretch where there are absolutely no streetlights, no houses, nothing. Funny enough, I've actually realized that I feel more comfortable in that total darkness because nobody can see me (I have to ride past a certain neighborhood that can be a bit sketchy).
And when thick fog rolls in and you're basically riding on pure instinct, it doesn't even bother me anymore, as long as they can't see me.
The most important thing is finding a coping mechanism. For me, music was the game-changer. I’d put on my headphones, and now I actually look forward to the end of my lectures just so I can have those 40 minutes of complete peace and quiet.

I’d definitely recommend talking to a therapist or a psychiatrist if you can, because the recovery process is usually much faster that way. Plus, it might help you figure out why this hasn't faded away naturally with age like it does for most people. It could give you tools to better control your thoughts over time. All in all, please don't bottle this up—we all have our fears, they just hit everyone differently.
Try involving your partner in this, too. You two can brainstorm ways to help you face the fear together. Whatever you do, try not to avoid the dark entirely. There was this woman I heard about who was deathly afraid of deep water; her family decided to help her face it by taking a boat several miles offshore and having her jump straight into the ocean 😁 It sounds pretty intense, but it worked because she had to confront the fear instantly. She felt calmer, though, because she knew her family was right there with her and would jump in if she started to struggle. So, in the beginning, it always helps to have someone by your side until you feel confident enough to go solo. It's really up to you whether you want to go for a "sink or swim" approach like her or take it one small step at a time.

On a side note, I'm a big fan of military history and documentaries, so I'll leave you with this motivational video 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwaskivJrZE
Stay strong. 👍

I’m on the same page as Andrew Doyle here—if you’re genuinely convinced you're seeing things that aren't there, you really should go see a doctor. I mean, it sounds extreme, but things like a brain tumor can actually cause hallucinations. That said, my gut feeling is that it isn't hallucinations per se, but rather an intensified fear of the dark. Since you mentioned this has been going on since you were a kid, it makes sense that a moment of intense fear could trigger a visual trick of the eye. When you're that spooked, it's almost impossible to stay objective and realize you're just spiraling into paranoia.

Personally, I've always been pretty comfortable in the dark, so it’s a little hard for me to wrap my head around such an intense phobia. It sounds like you had some pretty scary experiences back when you were younger that left a lasting mark, and now those old fears are resurfacing. You'll find plenty of people here who can offer great advice, but if this is just about these visual tricks caused by anxiety, I’d suggest being careful about jumping straight to medication. Try working through it with a professional therapist first to tackle the root of it.
Just stay strong—don't let this fear of the dark get the better of you. 👍

Amanda Hall71 said:Apparently, this kind of procedure is only done in Carmel-by-the-Sea... by Dr. Smith. They take a small piece of healthy cartilage, grow a new section in a lab over about a month, and then transplant it back into the damaged area. The surgery itself takes roughly an hour and a half, with a recovery period of about two months..
I was wondering if anyone here has actually gone through this? Does Medicare cover the costs, or is it out of pocket? And how long is the typical waitlist for the surgery?

I’ve honestly never heard of anything like that being available here in the States—if it does exist, I highly doubt Medicare would pick up the tab because it sounds incredibly expensive😢

I figured I’d jump into this conversation too, since I started seeing silver strands popping up way earlier than most—around 13, actually. For a long time, it really bothered me, so I eventually decided to just dye it. But, honestly? Looking back, there's a certain kind of luster that gray hair has that you just can't quite replicate with chemicals 😛
. Anyway, there's always that debate about whether stress plays a bigger role than genetics when it comes to going gray. I recently stumbled upon an article that dives into some new research on the topic—it’s pretty fascinating stuff. Though, my gut feeling is that it varies so much from person to person; for some, it’s definitely driven by stress, for others, it's purely down to their DNA, and maybe for some people, it's a bit of both http://www.seebiz.net/lifestyle/zivo...nego-od-stresa
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Hey everyone...
I have a quick question about supplements for bone and muscle health. I recently picked up some BlackRock vitamins, and the label says the recommended dosage is two tablets a day—but when I was at the pharmacy, the pharmacist suggested I stick to just one per day instead.

So, I was wondering if anyone here has experience with these specific vitamins? Did you find that taking two was better than just one, and did you actually notice a difference—like feeling a bit more energized or anything along those lines?

Also, a bit of a separate issue: I train pretty intensely—everything from heavy lifting to distance running—and my Achilles tendons tend to flare up quite a bit, which can be a real pain. Does anyone have any advice on how to manage that kind of discomfort or ways to help them heal? 🤷

Thanks in advance! 😉