October is the season of scary movie marathons. It’s the time of year when we spook ourselves with frightening sights without leaving our couches. Many of us wonder why we like being scared. And the reason might be because it’s good for us.
We need a little disclaimer: if you are scared easily, dwell on things that scare you, or have nightmares, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to avoid horror films. However, other people find that horror movies make real life less scary and more manageable.
The pleasure people get from scary movies is called the “paradox of horror.” We watch the films and feel fear, disgust and anxiety but enthusiastically watch more. When we watch scary movies, we have a physical response to the fear that is accompanied by adrenalin and endorphins. Once the scares are passed, we have a parasympathetic nervous system response where the heart slows, our body relaxes and we are flooded with calming hormones.
From a mental point of view, interacting with fictional stories is one of the few ways we can be fully in control of anxiety. Watching a horror film makes anxiety your choice and an option rather than something that is a situation you are forced into. It allows us to feel fear in a low-stakes setting where everything is safe and can help you train your brain to handle real fear in a healthier way.
“If someone is being treated for an anxiety disorder or OCD, horror movies can provide useful opportunities to face one’s fears and develop the confidence that you can, in fact, endure unpleasant distress, and that it’s not dangerous to you,” said Sally Winston, licensed psychologist and executive director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland.
It’s essential to recognize that using horror as a tool to help mental health isn’t for everyone. Some people don’t like horror movies. That is perfectly fine.
“There’s no harm in avoiding horror movies, whether it’s in response to a moral value eschewing violence or a psychological desire to avoid unwanted images and sensations,” said Dr. Winston.
Depending on your personality type, it may not help you therapeutically. If you find horror movies distressing and not fun, this method won’t work for you. “If you’re finding yourself short-tempered and anxious… forego a horror film and watch something that lets you escape into another world,” said Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center.
But, even if you love horror movies and think they are fun, don’t watch too many. Binge-watching horror regularly increases your body’s adrenaline levels. That can negatively impact your sleep. Watch exciting things a couple of hours before bedtime and give yourself breaks. Even if you aren’t prone to nightmares, too long staring at a screen will take its toll!
