Originally Posted by
Traffic Jam
Muddy is correct and gives good advice.
I do mental exercises whenever my brain goes into 'the dark place'...count, recite the alphabet, sing, imagine sweeping the thoughts and fear away with a broom, replace the images with memories of happy times. It takes practice and gets easier with time.
Start with baby steps and don't beat yourself up if it takes longer than you want. Keep trying.
Don't let the fear cause you to make risky decisions... i.e. hiking to exhaustion because you're too afraid to stop and camp.
Do not peer into the darkness...for any reason. You will see shapes and shadows. (It is a trigger for me).
Admittedly, my fear never goes away but it is well-managed and doesn't prevent me from backpacking solo, mainly in areas with few other hikers.