First off, I just want to say hello to everyone. I'm new to this site, but have gotten a lot from reading through the forum. From what I have seen, there's a great support group of ppl educating and helping others. I suppose that's why I'm posting this, possibly I can find an answer to my problem.
Let me start with a little history. I grew up seeing spirits, which terrified me. As I became a teenager I also developed the ability to feel and experience the emotions of other ppl.Unlike others, to me these are not gifts, but curses. It was in my teens, I learned the" power of the mind". I learned I could block out the spirits, tho to this day they still catch me off guard at times. As far as feeling and sensing things, that was a little harder to do, but could control it better as I got older. In other words I tend to not get too close to ppl, and stay away from overly crowded places if possible. No I'm not a loner and can function in the world, I just keep a guard up at all times and prefer to shop online, lol.
So here's the problem, I'm terrified to sleep in the dark, this is a little embarrassing to admit at my age. I close my eyes to go to sleep and instant panic attack, because I feel as if someone is inches from my face staring me down , or standing to the side of me. I feel that they will grab me or something to that effect. I always feel as if I'm being watched. So i have slept with my TV on since a teen, I do it for the light and the noise. But for the last few weeks, I have to sleep with the TV and bedroom light on. Not sure why, but sometimes the terror I feel gets worse for awhile. I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't feel good to me. I just want it gone, I want to sleep and feel good.
And just in case your wondering, I do still sense other spirits, even have a live in ghost where I work, but they do not bother me, just prefer not to see them unless I give them permission. Any insight anyone can give me, is very much appreciated.

First of all...Hello & Welcome!

I'll try to give this a shot from two different perspectives.

As a sensitive; try doing some relaxation exercises while lying in bed and attempting to fall asleep. Use the method of Tai Chi, relax, breathe, feel the earth, do nothing extra. Encircle yourself in a warm white light starting from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. Remind yourself that you are OK & safe and nothing can harm you. As you relax deeper increase the power of the light around you until it begins to actually warms you. Again, remind yourself that you are a powerful human being and nothing can take control of you and you call the shots.

Now, as a paranormal investigator; run a couple of digital recorders and a video camera facing you lying in your bed. Hopefully you have or can get access to this equipment. Also, an EMF detector would help.

Your fears are understandable and valid, but you must do what you can to take control.

One more point, if you continue to have this problem accompanied by night sweats, night terrors, nausea, frequent panic attacks please see your doctor because this could be a sign of a serious condition.

Keep us up to date on how you are doing and what progress you have made.

Thank you for your help. I meditate nightly, so will try your suggestion tonight. I do have digital recorder, camera and emf detector, so I will set those up and try that out too.
Other than the slight anxiety attacks, I dont have the other symptoms, so greatful for that. So again thank you and will let you know how this goes

K3lli Hello, welcome to the forum. The truth is that I can not add much to what you already have answered Chris, I found a complete response and very successful. I hope that soon you can sleep soundly and sent all my positive energy to do so. Good luck and encourage you friend. A hug from Spain

Thank you for all the positive energy. I actually slept pretty good last night. I intend on setting up equipment tonight, and will go from there.

You're welcome friend. Good luck. A big hug from Spain je je

Hello and welcome. Sorry you feel this is a burden truely is great gift to most. As a sensitive and a empath myself it can be frustrating but control is the key. I seen the things Chris had said and they are very good methods, i also use meditation it helps control as well. I use it to keep them away from me at work. Normally i wouldnt care but hard to deal with the public and spirits at the same time. I hope you get control and can sleep. Maybe one day it wont be a burden.

Thank you undertaker. For those who see it as a blessing, I totally have respect for that. Maybe as I gain more understanding and find what to do with those abilities, I can then better accept them.

I like your suggestion about capturing EVPs - but kinda scared to find something!

It is one thing to get video or evp in another persons home and a little scary to catch something in your own home, but I suppose its the only way to see of what your dealing with. I guess theres only two ways to look at it, it will either ease the mind or confirm I'm not crazy