C Horror Movies

[Stetson Saenz]

Iwas at once enthralled by the over-the-top camp and melodrama of the film (both staples of 1980s horror) and disgusted and fascinated by its body-horror scenes, with all the practical effects that a small budget could produce. A lifelong horror fan was born that night.

That movie theater experience I had in 1989 was something of a religious experience for me. I was baptized into horror stories and left the theater a different person. Horror can shape us, mold us, change us. And, if we let it, it can also teach us about God, ourselves and each other.

We are a church that values and encourages diverse voices and lively dialogue in our faith and life. Living Lutheran is an opportunity for church members to express individual perspectives, and does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

I'm lucky that my anxiety is moderate enough for me to handle it without medication; I rely on regular exercise, not drinking too much, and just keeping tabs on my own mental state on a regular basis. But when it gets really bad, there's one instant fix that makes me feel better: a horror film. The gorier, darker, and more disturbing, the better. Last week I watched Would You Rather, a low-budget plotless gore-fest with a Netflix rating of two-and-half stars. The cover image is of an razor blade right next to somebody's eye, about to slice into it. You get the idea.

When I first noticed the effectiveness of this unconventional way of coping with anxiety, I pretty much freaked out: What was I, some kind of psychopath who derives comfort from the suffering of others? Is it just me? I asked on /r/anxiety, the Reddit forum for the topic. Is there something wrong with me?

While horror films aren't a true alternative to seeking medical help if you need it, I was nevertheless inundated with responses from people saying they'd noticed the same thing. "I too have noticed horror movies make me feel better," said one user. "It creates a different anxiety, an anxiety that isn't about me, ya know?"

Dr. Clasen reassured me that I wasn't about to spiral out of control into a Freddy Krueger-style spree, but his theories didn't really explain why feeling afraid was having the paradoxical result of making me feel calmer in the long run. On another forum, socialanxiety.com, one user theorized, "The adrenaline makes me forget [my anxiety] for a while."

I asked Dr. Ironside her opinion on the theories about anxiety and adrenaline. Could my reaction to horror movies be explained this way? Was I steeling myself against my real fears by exposing myself to them in the form of onscreen serial killers? "Research shows that if people repeatedly see a picture of a fearful face in an experiment, their amygdala reaction to this decreases over time. In exposure therapy for phobias, patients are exposed to the source of their phobia (e.g., closed spaces or spiders), and, over time 'learn' that it is not associated with a negative outcome and hence become less fearful of it. This is similar to your scary movie idea, though I'm not sure it would work as I think this kind of approach needs to be more targeted to specific fears."

I've always loved horror, since back when I was that nervous, paranoid kid. My favorite sleepovers were at the house of a friend with an older brother and a pile of VHS tapes: Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, Halloween. All watched with the sound down low, in case her parents came into the room and caught us, sitting really close to the screen, wrapped up in our sleeping bags and feeling like conspirators.

Steph Hovey, an assistant psychologist at the Tavistock Centre and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, told me that "anxiety can develop from experiences in our childhood which affect the way we see the world as adults." So perhaps, for me, a horror movie is about confronting fear, in a safe environment and with the help of somebody I trust. "Memories of enjoying horror movies with friends when you were younger could be helping you to deal with your anxiety by stopping you from overreacting. Because you've encountered these feelings of nervousness and fear before, but know that nothing bad actually happened, you may be more equipped to deal with these feelings now."

According to Anxiety UK, anxiety is on the rise: 12.8 percent more people are diagnosed with the condition today than they were 14 years ago. With so much to worry about in today's world, from viral pandemics to international terrorism to Brexit and Trump, this hardly seems surprising.

While bee stings are somewhat common in the warmer months, bees are not terribly aggressive unless they feel threatened. Kind of like most living, breathing creatures. They seem like an easy target for horror movies because most people know the unpleasant quality of a bee sting and because they are often misunderstood. Kind of like sharks.

Back to bees: I decided to compile a list of the most notable uses of bees in horror movies through the decades. We start in the 1960s and go through the 2010s. We have examples of movies based entirely around our fuzzy little friends and movies that just have one or two scenes dedicated to pollinators.

LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.

Children are incredibly impressionable, and the imagery and themes present in horror movies can leave lasting psychological effects. Even seemingly harmless scenes can provoke fear and anxiety in young viewers, impacting their emotional development and overall well-being.

Moreover, as a society, we must consider the cultural and ethical implications of exposing young minds to content that glorifies violence, fear, and supernatural occurrences. It is crucial to foster an environment that promotes positivity, empathy, and healthy psychological growth.

While I understand the argument that some may make regarding the educational value of horror movies in teaching psychology or other subjects, I firmly believe that the potential harm outweighs any perceived benefits. There are plenty of alternative teaching methods and resources available that do not pose the same risks to the mental health of young individuals.

There have been several studies examining the effects of horror movies on children and adolescents. One notable study is by Joanne Cantor, a renowned expert in media and child development. In her research, Cantor found that exposure to frightening media content, such as horror movies, can lead to increased anxiety, nightmares, and fear of the dark among children.

Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published research indicating that exposure to violent and frightening media can desensitize children to violence and make them more prone to aggressive behavior.

We also find there are young ones who are prominently drawn to horror movies for several reasons. Firstly, the thrill and excitement of experiencing fear in a controlled environment can appeal to some individuals. Furthermore, horror movies often provide a sense of adrenaline and arousal, which can be stimulating for viewers.

Additionally, social factors such as peer influence and the desire to fit in with a group may contribute to the popularity of horror movies among young people. Moreover, curiosity about the unknown and a fascination with the supernatural are common motivations for engaging with horror media.

However, it's essential to recognize that while some young individuals may enjoy watching horror movies, others may be negatively affected by them. It's crucial for parents and educators to be mindful of the potential impacts and to provide guidance and support for children and adolescents navigating their media consumption habits.

Also while there is no direct causal relationship between constant watching of horror movies and drug addiction or alcoholism, it is assumed that excessive exposure to any form of media, including horror movies, can potentially contribute to unhealthy coping mechanisms or behaviors.

Watching horror movies excessively may desensitize individuals to violence and frightening imagery, which could influence their perception of risk and danger. This desensitization might lead some individuals to seek out increasingly extreme or risky experiences, including substance use.

Additionally, individuals who struggle with anxiety or other mental health issues may use substances like drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the feelings of fear or distress that can arise from watching horror movies.

However, it's important to note that many factors contribute to the development of substance use disorders, including genetics, environment, and personal experiences. While exposure to certain types of media may play a role for some individuals, it is just one of many potential influences.

Ultimately, maintaining a healthy balance in media consumption and addressing underlying issues such as mental health concerns or social influences is essential in preventing substance use disorders. If someone is struggling with substance abuse, seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or counselor is highly recommended.

One of my earliest childhood memories involves the horror section of a video store and what might have been my very first experience with anxiety. As I stood in front of hundreds of ghoulish-looking horror titles, I felt sick to my stomach, slick with cold sweat and trembling with fear. Suddenly, I was irrationally certain I was about to die.

To this day, I remain a huge horror fan. A part of me believes that my enjoyment of the genre helps me to deal with my anxiety. But I recently began to wonder if this coping mechanism was particular to me, or if it was more universal than that, and I began to ask the big question: Can watching horror movies really help to alleviate symptoms of GAD?

3a8082e126