Many persons are drawn to the night, and this condition is often called nyctophilia. It is vital so long as it doesn’t cause health difficulties or problems in relationships with others.
Nyctophilia is the name given to a strong nocturnal preference. This just isn’t classified as pathology, but yes Is a problematic condition due to the consequences it may well have on health. Depriving yourself of sunlight and interesting in activities that go against the norm have consequences.
Strictly speaking, nyctophilia occurs when an individual freely chooses stay awake late at night. This is NO for shift staff who don’t work shifts for pleasure but due to demands of the job.
When an individual has nyctophilia, she or he doesn’t necessarily should be treated. There can also be no obligation to alter your lifestyle.
What is nyctophilia?
Nicophilia is a condition characterised by an unusual predilection for night and darkness. It just isn’t considered a disorder and just isn’t included in any psychiatric diagnostic manual.
Therefore, this can’t be considered an issue. However, the sort of behavior may end up from some issues. Perhaps it is said to sleep disorders or problems with adapting to social life.
Each case is different and the circumstances through which the person with nyctophilia lives ought to be assessed. If this doesn’t cause any problems, we will discuss a straightforward preference.
Read more: What is segmented sleep? Advantages and drawbacks
Causes
One of probably the most revealing elements of assessing nyctophilia is its causes. This behavior can have very different sources that should be cataloged to know whether it is an issue that should be addressed or a way of life that has been voluntarily chosen.
Circadian rhythm pattern
The circadian rhythm is a biological cycle that regulates the hours of sleep and wakefulness. People are inclined to be more lively within the morning and fewer lively within the evening, coinciding with the presence of the sun. However, for reasons unknown to science, some have a special pattern.
Psychological features
People with a high IQ are more lively at night. The reason for that is unknown. Similarly, introverts find the night more attractivebecause social life is then much less intense.
Changing habits
People who do not have an organized routine often develop very flexibly sleeping and eating habits. Basically, there’s an inclination to go to bed late and get up late. If an individual has no commitments within the morning, this could often result in nyctophilia.
Aversive situation
It’s also possible that an individual he feels a certain reluctance to the day. Staying awake at night, they fight to avoid this negative stimulus.
Similarly, if an individual suffered a childhood trauma at night, it could cause them to be alert at the moment. It could be post-traumatic stress.
Read more: 7 interesting things your body does during deep sleep
Symptoms of nyctophilia
Since this just isn’t a pathology as such, we cannot discuss general symptoms as such. What you possibly can do is outline the features that indicate this condition and which can be problematic:
- Vitamin D deficiency: Sun exposure is important for the production of this vitamin. Its deficiency adversely affects the mood, but additionally the skeletal and immune systems.
- Social Difficulties: When an individual has little or no social contact because of the habit of not sleeping at night, this can be a situation that ought to be assessed by an expert.
- Work problems: Difficulty or inability to meet skilled obligations is an indicator that nobodyophilia could be very negative for the person.
- Deprivation of rest: If nighttime preference results in fewer hours of rest or poor sleep, that is also an issue.
Available methods of treating nyctophilia
Nyctophilia doesn’t require treatment if it doesn’t impair social or skilled ability, or significantly affect physical health. If so, it is important to seek the advice of a physician to seek out ways to beat the condition.
Consultation with a psychotherapist could be a priority. This specialist will evaluate each case and give you the option to detect problems. The presence of sleep disorders or significant changes in circadian rhythm may result in the prescription of medication.
In general terms, the healthiest thing is to sleep at night and not sleep in the course of the day. No matter how much nighttime appeals, habits ought to be moderated. Nyctophilia is an appropriate lifestyle so long as it doesn’t result in harmful consequences.
Maybe it can interest you…
All cited sources have been thoroughly checked by our team to make sure their quality, reliability, timeliness and validity. The bibliography for this text has been deemed reliable and of educational or scientific accuracy.
- Campos, M. R. (2016). Trastorno de estrés postraumático. Revista Medica de Costa Rica and Centro America, 73(619), 233-240.
- Querales, M.I., Cruces, M.E., Rojas, S. and Sánchez, L. (2010). Vitamin D deficiency: ¿Factor de riesgo de syndrome metabólico? Revista Medica de Chile, 138(10), 1312-1318.
- Zamarrón, J. A. (2017). El insomne versus la diurnidad. Cuadernos Fronterizos, (40).
