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.

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This is a very interesting claim because horror movies generally have a negative connotation, believing they are designed to make you scared, and yet apparently they are actually good for your brain and your mental health. This article is certainly reputable based on the fact that it comes from a Licensed Clinical Physiologist and the data is clearly set out. Nice job!

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I completely resonate with your experience! This article was indeed fascinating and made me think about my own relationship with horror movies. Initially, I couldn't stand them because they left me feeling paranoid, but over time, I've come to appreciate the thrill and even the absurdity in some of the plots. It’s true that they can be a great way to confront fears—turning moments of terror into an adrenaline rush that's strangely entertaining. Despite the occasional paranoia, the excitement of watching horror films definitely outweighs the fear for me too!

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The claim that watching horror movies actually has mental health benefits is extremely enticing. After reading the article linked, I think that the claim is true but to a certain extent.

The majority of the article goes into the three positives or pros of horror movies on your mental health. The first one is that watching a horror movie will supposedly give you a feel good rush. The article uses evidence from Alissa Jerud who has a PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a clinical assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Supposedly when you see a "blood curling" scene your body is flooded with the hormone adrenaline. Jerud says that this rush can be pretty exhilarating for some. I think its key that they included the "some" part in the article. I am thinking that this is definitely not the case for a good majority of people. The second thing the article mentions is that it can help you cope with fear. It cites a study from 2021, Personality and Individual Differences. The study found that those who watched the typical horror movies, compared to zombie ones or alien invasions were actually more resilient and better prepared during Covid-19. I think this is a drastic comparison. I also think it is too specific and that zombie and alien invasion movies should be included in the mix with horror movies of becoming more prepared for a pandemic.
To counter this MSU Denver RED released an article that talked about horror movie fans are coping better with Covid-19. It included people who watch zombie, and alien movies though. So I think generalizing it as a whole and saying those who watch horror movies were more likely to cope and handle/deal with the pandemic is a better claim/statement.
https://red.msudenver.edu/2020/horror-movie-fans-are-better-at-coping-with-covid-19/#:~:text=And%20a%20fascinating%20new%20study,psychologically%20resilient%20to%20the%20pandemic.
The third and final pro the article lists is that watching a horror movie will teach you something about yourself. To summarize, the article says that if you are able to get through a scary movie like that, thats basically a sign of adversity, and that shows that you can overcome your fears. Again, I can see how this claim is true but I think it definitely depends on the person. The very end of the article asks if there are any negatives to watching horror movies, which is a point that contradicts their main point. They talk about how there are no long-term effects. This immediately caught my attention because I can easily see someone watching a horror movie and having trauma, being scared or paranoid for a long-period of time. So I think the claim that they make when they say mention there are only short term effects could be changed because again that doesn't apply to everyone.
https://edinazephyrus.com/psychological-effects-of-horror-movies/
Overall, the claim can be factual, but I think the main component of this claim is that it is not universal and shouldn't be applied to everyone.

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/

Answer 5

The claim that watching horror movies has mental health benefits is true but somewhat misleading or exaggerated. An article from Livestrong.com supports this claim with credible resources. At the top of the article, it notes that Colleen Neumann, a licensed clinical psychologist, reviewed the piece. A link attached to her name details her fact-checking credentials, enhancing her credibility. The article asserts that horror movies can provide a "feel-good rush," supported by a quote from Alissa Jerud, a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, it references a study from the National Library of Medicine suggesting that horror movies can help viewers cope with fear, with Jerud further supporting this claim. However, some evidence in the article comes from other Livestrong.com posts, which may indicate a bias aimed at promoting the media outlet's content. The use of words like "can" and "might" throughout the article suggests potential benefits but does not guarantee these outcomes for everyone. Overall, while the article is fact-checked by a credible source, includes relevant studies, and features quotes from experts, its language and reliance on internal sources somewhat dilute its objectivity, making the claim true but exaggerated.

Answer 6

The article that the original poster linked centralizes that horror movies help conquer your fears, therefore reducing your mind in a state of panic. However with this article that I found: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-do-horror-movies-affect-your-mental-health#physiological-effects

This article explains the physiological effects that horror movies can implicate, such as your brain playing psychological tricks on you as it creates visions of suspense and fear even after the movie is finished. Due to horror movies boosting your adrenaline, if watched late in the day, it could cause difficulties falling asleep and poor quality of sleep can negatively impact the brain and lead to poor mental health.

Therefore making the claim that horror movies can have mental health benefits is exaggerated as this isn't a universal solution for everyone especially people who suffer anxiety or mental health.

Answer 7

This claim is misleading. All-be-it somewhat true in nature. The idea that movies cause a “feel-good” rush is partially what contributes to the claim that horror movies have mental health benefits, but it is also one of many quotes taken out of a larger context. The source of livestrong.com is not a reliable one either. The nature of it is less of medical and more attention oriented. There are several other articles from ore reliable and credible sources that are referenced to support the claim, but the idea itself is exaggerated in nature.

Answer 8

The article linked states that some of the health benefits are : floods your system with adrenaline, helps cope with fear, and might teach you something about yourself. These claims are true, backed up by Colleen Neumann who's a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, but there can also be a downside of watching horror movies.

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

This article mentions watching horror movies can cause quite the opposite. Quote by Dr.Pamela who has  a PhD and MBA in psychology says “Even the post-horror euphoria some feel is activating, not relaxing. Thus, even for those who enjoy the emotional roller coaster, horror and suspense films can make it harder to sleep.” So it all just depends on the person, watching a horror movie doesn’t mean you will 100% get over your fears. 

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

 

Answer 9

After reviewing the article from the original claim, it seems that, YES, horror movies can have their health benefits, mostly coping and a good rush, similar to the adrenaline rush one would get from going on a roller coaster. While the claim is valid, it is also somewhat exaggerated as it is not as big as it makes it sound; as said in the article, it can help with things like coping, but not entirely, and not many things.

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

Answer 10

The claim that horror movies have mental health benefits is true. But the live strong article exaggerates this clam, It uses some credible sources like NIH (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7492010/). The article talks about how "people who engaged more frequently with frightening fictional phenomena, such as horror fans and the morbidly curious, displayed more robust psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.". Another reliable source that backs this up is Penn State Health (https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/10/the-monster-medical-minute-is-horror-healthy/).  It says that it can help with a person’s ability to cope with other kinds of stressful situations without having to be in those situations.