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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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 article link does cite many other studies on the concept of the positives of horror movies and also has some credible claims. According to Penn State Health News, the effect of watching horror can be positive and help decrease fears in real life. It also commented on the idea that it enables you to cope with everyday mental problems by escaping and feeling a thrill. So this fact check is true, that watching horror movies can provide benefits to mental health. It can provide some negative emotions still though according to a study from Atlantis Press, it can affect children's personalities and emotions for the worst because many horror films contain violence, which is not healthy for younger people to witness. Thus, depending on the age of the person and the mental health issues that the person currently holds, horror films can have some benefits and some detriments.

https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125993569.pdf

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

 

Answer 2

The article referenced has been peer reviewed by a PsyD and references specific studies done on the topic which provides some validity up front. The claim that it is beneficial to watch horror movies because of the feel-good rush that comes along with it is somewhat true. The study referenced finds a link between physiological reactions from fear and enjoyment, but it also says that the level of arousal is an important distinction. There also can be a relationship between two variables without one causing the other meaning that the article exaggerates a bit but is not necessarily wrong. 

Comments

It is very good that you pointed out that there can be a relationship between variables without one causing the other. This was probably the most misleading aspect of the claim, and it is essential that we can look at it from a broader perspective.

Answer 3

The claim that watching horror movies has mental health benefits is mostly accurate. Although it can induce short-term anxiety for some people, there isn’t much solid evidence that horror movies cause long-term issues. Watching horror movies can help you cope with fears, help relieve depressive feelings, and help you socialize. 

Musicgateway.com: This second source includes more reasons why horror movies have mental health benefits than the original source, and it also includes physical health benefits. Due to the adrenaline that rushes through your body when you watch a scary movie, you are more likely to relieve depressive feelings because people with depression go through decreases in adrenaline levels. When horror films are more realistic, it can make them scarier, but it can also help overcome real-life fears because of the realistic aspect (first step of exposure therapy). Horror movies also create great socialization because whoever you are with will be experiencing the same emotions as you, so it’s a good way to bond.

Overall, watching horror movies is great for your mental health and is really good for stimulating emotions. This claim can be proven mostly accurate because some people aren’t able to watch horror movies because it would induce more fear than positive mental benefits, but most people would benefit from watching scary films.

benefits-of-watching-horror-movies-are-scary-movies-good-for-you

Answer 4

Although the claim made, "Watching horror movies has mental health benefits" is true, it is also equally misleading/an exaggeration. There are positive affects as stated in the article from livestrong.com, but also a number of negative affects associated with watching horror movies. According to an article by Healthline, it is stated that the nightmares which come from watching horror movies impairs sleep and leads to poor sleeping patterns when the REM state is disrupted. Additionally, the Healthline article also states "Those that suffer from anxiety sensitivity are more likely to experience a negative impact from watching horror films. The tendency to fear intrusive thoughts and images may be triggered and increase levels of anxiety or panic." These two points are backed by Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of Media Psychology Research Center, and Sally Winston, licensed psychologist and executive director of the Anxiety and Stress Institute of Maryland. Even though the livestrong.com article brings up three points about the benefits to watching horror films, the site fails to express the many negative aspects which can be associated in watching. It is also hard to gauge whether individuals believe the "feel good" rush, as mentioned in the livestrong.com article, is a positive side to watching horror movies or not. 

sources-

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

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