A childhood belief about monsters

I never had imaginary friends growing up, even though I was an only child until I was 9. However, I had a couple of things that are still with me as an adult...don't ask me why. I was a child that grew up sleepign on her parent's bed until I was about 10 years old. Therefore, I feared sleepign or beign by myself. I would have to check out every corner and closet and open space to make sure no killers (or Freddy or Jason) were around. Still have nightmares aobut it, and have to sleep either by someone, close to someone, or with the lights and TV on (if alone). I just can't handle it. The second one is actually kind of funny. Afetr seeing JAWS, I have always been afraid that a shark would attack me. So, I still can't swim in a pool by myslef or even come near a pool drain without thinking Jaws is in there. And for the longest time I used to think a snake or an eel or some kind of wormy creature would come out from the shower drain or toilet and nip me in the behind.