i remember when i was younger i was pretty scared of the dark.  i used to think things were right behind me.  so when i was in the dark i would force myself to be scared.  I would walk really slow so if anything was behind me it could get me, just to prove to myself the my fear was unfounded and irrational.  i still do it sometimes when something scares me and i think it is an irrational fear.  why i torture myself i don't know.  i don't think it actually made a difference.