Watching horror movies has mental health benefits

Question

Discover the psychologist effects of watching horror movies and learn why scary movies can be good for your mood and help with anxiety, according to an expert.

Comments

This article was super interesting and relatable to anyone who has ever seen horror movies. When it mentions that horror movies can help you overcome your fear. I totally agree, as I used to hate them but then realized they are very entertaining and stupid at times. On the other hand they leave me paranoid but the rush of watching beats that.

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This article explores how scary movies can psychologically help your mental health. For example, Alissa Jerud of University of Pennysylvania emphasizes how the hormone adrenaline can be released to maintain heartrate and bloodflow. UPenn is a trustyworthy university, so including the source of the articles makes the articles reliable. However, this article exaggerates the claim, as while small doses of adrenaline can be helpful, the article doesn't mention the long term of effects of long built up anxiety. The article counters the claims to scary movies always behing good for your mood, but I think the article needs to delve deeper into the long term effects of anxiety. Because the article doesn't address all points of the story, this article is somewhat helpful.

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This claim is far too generalized. Some people may enjoy watching horror movies, but I can personally say I do not. I also do not see a correlation between enjoyment and boosts in mood and anxiety for those who do not like to watch these movies.

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I really like you explanation of why this claim is exaggerated, along with the source you provided! Upon first seeing this claim I thought that it was subjective to different people and their taste in movies. Personally, I could never see how a horror movie would be that of a stress reliever or help with anxiety as I do not like any kind of horror. The UPenn study you noted is very credible and very interesting to provide in your response! I really liked that perspective. Overall, great factcheck.

Answer 1

The claim that watching horror movies has mental health benefits is true but misleading. Watching horror movies can effect sleep schedules, and positive outlooks on certain aspects. The source "The Mental Benefits of Horror Movies", posted on October 18, 2024 states; "Love them or hate them, horror movies can actually provide several benefits to your mental health, especially if you struggle with anxiety. This blog will explain the science behind horror movies and the unique benefits they can provide to your mental well-being." Although this is true, it is over exaggerated, therefore horror movies cannot actually effect your mental health. 

https://www.drbarbarajohnson.com/blog/the-mental-benefits-of-horror-movies

Answer 2

The article's title feels too misleading for the content of it. It uses credible sources like Alissa Jerud who is a licensed clinical psychologist who says that watching horror movies can give someone a feel-good rush and can be helpful with coping with fear. That being said, the article does provide reasoning on why horror movies aren't for everyone. It can cause people to lose sleep or have panic attacks. So, while they say it's not for everyone, the title makes it sound like watching horror movies is something that would benefit most people. Based on the other articles I found they seemed more balanced in emphasizing that watching horror can have negative health effects. 

Sources: https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/10/the-monster-medical-minute-is-horror-healthy/ - This article was also mentioned in someone else's answer to this claim

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-do-horror-movies-affect-your-mental-health#sleep

Answer 3

According to Healthline and Psychology Today, watching horror movies isn’t just for thrills—there are actually some surprising mental health benefits. When you watch a scary movie, your brain releases dopamine, the same chemical linked to pleasure and excitement. This can boost your mood and even reduce stress. Some people even find that watching horror helps them face their fears in a safe environment, giving them a sense of control and confidence.

The New York Times also explains that horror movies can act as a mental “workout,” preparing your brain to handle real-life anxiety better. It’s like a form of exposure therapy—by voluntarily putting yourself in a scary situation, you learn how to manage your emotions under pressure. So while it might seem counterintuitive, indulging in horror movies now and then could actually help with mental resilience.

Sources:

• https://www.healthline.com/health-news/horror-movies-help-anxiety-heres-how
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/202110/why-some-people-love-horror-movies
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/well/mind/horror-movies-anxiety.html

Answer 4

I think the claim that horror movies has mental health benefits is partially true, although I think it depends on the person. The article says that watching horror movies can help you cope or overcome your fears, or help you know how you'd handle yourself if you are ever in a situation that elicits those emotions.

I think this is only partially true though, because everyone handles situations differently. Watching horror movies can provide a negative impact to people's mental health as well, and could do the harm of causing nightmares and lack of sleep because of things they just watched. Despite there being no evidence for long-term negative mental health effects, it could still cause temporary struggle in some's day-to-day lives if they are so freaked out by something.

Answer 5

Although I believe that the statement "Horror movies *can* have mental health benefits" would be a bit more true, this assertion is not directly incorrect. Alissa Jerud, a PHD-holding licensed clinical psychologist, supports the article. Horror films, according to Jerud, can be utilized as exposure therapy to treat anxiety and PTSD. People may find it easier to conquer their phobias or fight PTSD if they repeatedly see something that can be traumatic in a fictional context. This same article, however, goes into great detail on how scary films could escalate anxiety. The impact of horror films on mental health varies from person to person and is not constant. However, Jerud's assertions about the advantages have been validated elsewhere. Similar to Jerud's findings, Mental Health Today, a UK-based mental health research firm, asserts that they can reduce anxiety in the appropriate situation. Therefore, even if this assertion is technically accurate, it is crucial to consider it carefully and make sure that one is doing what is best for their own circumstances when attempting to address any mental health issues.

Mental Health Today https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/innovations/releasing-fear-how-horror-films-can-help-to-ease-anxiety#:~:text=Watching%20a%20horror%20film%20allows,feel%2Dgood%20hormones%20we%20mentioned

Answer 6

The claim that watching horror movies has mental health benefits is true, however, it neglects to acknowledge the negatives that are also outlined in Live Strong's article. A few benefits to watching horror movies are exhibited including reference to a study published in the National Library of Medicine entitled Pandemic practice: Horror fans and morbidly curious individuals are more psychologically resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines how, "horror fandom was significantly associated with lower psychological distress." 

We can clearly see that there are in fact mental health benefits to watching horror movies in relation to the pandemic and other preparedness, however, there are also negatives including nightmares and heightened anxiety that the article mentions. A study entitles Emotional and Psychological Desensitization to Real-Life and Movie Violence also published by the National Library of Medicine examines the sometimes dangerous effects of watching horror movies. The article basically states that if you like horror movies, they can help you stay calm in a natural disaster, but if you don't like horror movies, they can cause great anxiety. The claim that horror movies have mental health benefits is true, but the claim on its own is not a good message for everyone to accept.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7492010/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4393354/

Answer 7

This article presents valid points, but they are subjective and may not apply to everyone. It claims that there are “fear-inducing situations that don't actually put you in danger.” Alissa Jerud, a licensed clinical psychologist, supports this idea. 

Some benefits of watching horror movies include the natural adrenaline rush experienced during exciting scenes, which can be thrilling for some viewers. Additionally, they may help people cope with fear. Jerud explains, “Exposure-based treatments for specific phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder sometimes involve intentionally watching those scenes that are triggering. In doing so repeatedly, you learn that you can tolerate anxiety and respond differently when it arises.”

The article also acknowledges some negative effects. While there is no evidence that watching horror movies has any long-term consequences, it can lead to short-term anxiety and potential sleep issues. Frequent viewing of horror films may also desensitize individuals to real-life situations.

Overall, I think everyone reacts differently to horror movies, so it’s important to understand yourself. If you know that watching a horror film will ultimately cause you more stress than enjoyment, it's best to listen to your own feelings.

https://www.livestrong.com/article/13778648-are-horror-movies-bad-for-you/

Answer 8

The claim that watching horror movies has mental health benefits is true but can be seen as misleading or exaggerated. An article from Livestrong.com supports this idea, featuring credible sources, including Colleen Neumann, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who reviewed the article. Her credentials are backed by a link showcasing her fact-checking work, enhancing the article's credibility.

The article suggests that horror movies can provide a "feel-good rush," a point supported by Alissa Jerud, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, it references a study from the National Library of Medicine that indicates horror films can help individuals cope with fear, with Jerud reiterating this perspective.

However, the article also draws from other Livestrong.com articles, which suggests a potential bias towards promoting the outlet's agenda. While the claims made are grounded in some truth, phrases like "can" and "might" indicate that these benefits are not guaranteed for everyone who watches horror movies.

Another source, Penn State Health, echoes this idea, with Dr. Ramnarine Boodoo mentioning that some people do enjoy the "feel-good" rush from horror films. Yet, it remains challenging to classify this as a definitive health benefit. Overall, while there is some validity to the claim, it is essential to approach it with a critical lens, acknowledging the nuances involved.

(https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/10/the-monster-medical-minute-is-horror-healthy/)

Answer 9

Yes, this is true but the claim is a bit exaggerated. Watching horror movies doesn't have any long term effects with mental health. It helps people with anxiety and depression in the moment but it doesn't help longterm. It makes for good exposure therapy because it makes the viewer experience anxiety from a fake situation so other anxiety ridden situations might not be as bad. Penn State's College of Medicine studies this theory and says it does have some mental health benefits but not for longterm.

https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/10/the-monster-medical-minute-is-horror-healthy/

Answer 10

Watching horror movies helps with anxiety and providing a sense of thrill or release. However, it’s important to note that Livestrong is more of a wellness site than a scientific source, so while it’s accessible and easy to read, the information should ideally be backed up by peer reviewed studies on psychology and mental health. The article’s headline is somewhat clickbaity, as it implies guaranteed benefits without acknowledging that horror movies may not have the same effect on everyone. 

I would say that watching horror movies can potentially offer mental health benefits, but the effects vary. Research suggests that horror films may provide a controlled way for people to face fears and process anxiety, possibly leading to a positive effect. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that horror fans experienced lower psychological distress during the pandemic, possibly due to the genre’s simulated danger preparing them for real-life stress. However, not everyone finds horror helpful, as some may experience heightened anxiety or paranoia instead. This could be not because they built a tolerance to it but because they are naturally better at handling stress and anxiety. 

Sources:

• Frontiers in Psychology: Horror fans show resilience
• American Psychological Association: The appeal of horror