Definition of Fear of going to bed

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Fear of going to bed: An abnormal and persistent fear of going to bed. Sufferers of this fear experience anxiety even though they realize that going to bed normally should not threaten their well-being. However, because they worry about having nightmares or wetting the bed, they often remain awake and develop insomnia. Insomnia then can become a real threat to their well-being.

Fear of going to bed is termed "clinophobia," a word derived from the Greek "klinein" (to bend, slope or incline, as one does during sleep) and "phobos" (fear). Another medical term containing "clino-"is "clinodactyly" meaning a finger that is curved to the side.