Some people with anxiety find that horror movies offer relief
Horror movies can be polarizing at best. Some people seem to be able to process them quickly—to be scared for the two hours that they’re engaged in the film and then move on. Others might leave the lights on at night for days after viewing one. Others still may roll their eyes throughout the entire film, bored and unfazed by the jump scares and gore. Yet surprisingly, many people with issues related to anxiety have found comfort in watching these movies.
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term for several mental illnesses that often have symptoms of dread and fear to the point where it can have a serious impact on daily life. Types of anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As of 2013, the Government of Canada estimates that around three million people live with anxiety disorders, with 27 per cent of this group having it impact their normal life “quite a bit” or “extremely.”
“…similar to exposure therapy, being exposed to fearful situations weakens the effects that fear holds…”
Living with anxiety can cause small tasks to seem insurmountable. Why is it then that horror movies offer comfort to some, while they cause most people to feel more on edge than usual?
One theory is that, similar to exposure therapy, being exposed to fearful situations weakens the effects that fear holds over them. According to Dr. Marion Ironside, who is conducting research on anxiety at Oxford University, people who face their phobias and learn that they are not associated with dreadful outcomes can become less responsive to these phobias over time.
Watching a horror movie can also allow for a sense of accomplishment in some people whose anxiety affects their daily lives. In an article written for Broadly, Abby Moss describes her relationship with horror movies: “Knowing you can get through something frightening—even if it was entirely fictional—can be oddly soothing.”
“Knowing you can get through something frightening—even if it was entirely fictional—can be oddly soothing.”
Patricia Grisafi views her connection with horror films as dealing with anxiety from a distance, saying in her article for Luna Luna Magazine, “Give me the creature from the swamp, but don’t force me to confront the hairstylist who has stridently shamed me for chopping my own bangs.”
Of course, as all who live with anxiety do not experience the same symptoms, this approach may not work for everyone. Watching horror movies can create mental and physical reactions, such as spikes in cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, and rapid eye movements. Nevertheless, for those who find relief in the contrast of hyperbolic scares versus their daily fears, horror movies can offer a level of comfort that real life cannot.
Photo courtesy of Json CC BY 2.0.