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Why do I stay scared after I finish a horror movie?

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Samantha Fox is a Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in New York, New York. With over a decade of experience, Samantha specializes in relationship, sexuality, identity, and family conflicts. She also advises on life transitions for individuals, couples, and families. She holds both a Master’s degree and a Marriage and Family Therapy License. Samantha is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), and Narrative Therapy.

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

Expert Answer

Your body is just prepared to keep you safe and hyper-aware in case you get startled.

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Question

Can watching scary movies cause anxiety?

wikiHow Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Watching horror movies might trigger anxieties that are already there, but scary movies probably aren’t inherently bad for your mental health. The most important thing is to try to get a sense of your own limits. If you don’t enjoy watching scary movies or if you think you’re fixating on them too much, then horror movies might not be your thing. Don’t force yourself to watch anything that makes you too uncomfortable.

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Question

Why do horror films scare me so much?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Horror movies trigger your fear with situations and images that are frightening on an instinctive level. Even if you know that what you’re seeing isn’t real, these kinds of images can kick your nervous system into survival mode. That’s why you might jump, scream, hide behind a pillow, or grab onto the person next to you before you have a chance to even mentally process what you’ve just seen!

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Question

How can I watch a horror movie without getting scared?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

One of the best ways to stop being scared by horror movies is to watch a lot of them. After a while, your brain will start to subconsciously realize that the scary things you’re seeing on the screen never cause any real harm to you. You’ll then start to become desensitized to these movies and feeling less scared. Don’t traumatize yourself with a marathon watch of the scariest movies ever made, though. Work your way up by watching movies that only scare you a little, then move on to scarier ones.

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Question

What if the movie was about a disease and I'm scared of it now?

Community Answer

Remind yourself of how unlikely it is that you would contract that disease, especially right after watching that movie. That would be a pretty huge coincidence. If it's some kind of crazy disease like a zombie plague, remind yourself that it's not even real.

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Question

What if my parents are shouting at me to get ready for the next day and I am too scared to go on my own?

Community Answer

Tell your parents you are too afraid. You may also distract yourself by playing music or humming to yourself as you prepare for tomorrow.

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Question

What do I do if I can't sleep because the scary thing keeps appearing in my dreams?

Community Answer

Try to think about something else before you go to sleep, preferably something pleasant like a fun vacation. Also, you're supposedly less likely to have nightmares if you sleep on your right side.

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Question

What If I feel too scared to leave my room?

Community Answer

You won't feel better until you leave the room and look around the house to prove to yourself there is nothing to be afraid of. Just do it quickly. If there is someone else at home with you, ask them to go with you.

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Question

I watched a tv show about the supernatural and now I'm to scared to sleep. What should I do?

Community Answer

Just try to remember that the show isn't real and cannot harm you. There aren't ghosts or other supernatural creatures (monsters, etc.) in the real world, it's fiction.

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Question

How do I get over part of a show being scary so I can keep watching it?

Community Answer

Try muting the sounds when the scary part comes. Usually the sounds in the scariest part are aimed at heightening your reaction. If you watch the screen without the sound, you will find that it is far less scary, and perhaps even a little silly. You can also look away from the scary scenes by pulling a pillow over your head.

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Question

What if the video I watched was based on a true story?

Community Answer

Usually, most movies say that the movie was 'based on a true story' just to make it scarier and to increase popularity. That doesn't mean it really happened as the movie depicted though and even if it did, it was a one in a million or more occurrence and is likely never to happen again.

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Question

What should I do if I'm young and scared of the dark?

Community Answer

Buy a nightlight or ask your parents if you can keep the hallway or bathroom light on.

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Question

What if I keep seeing things like Bloody Mary, and I think that she is going to kill me?

Community Answer

Bloody Mary is nothing more than a game. Tell yourself, "Bloody Mary isn't real". Also, keep a light on wherever you are. And pray for God to protect you and give you peace.

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Question

How can I calm down when I am freaked out?

Community Answer

Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Count to three as you inhale, then slowly count to three as you exhale. Listen to soothing music or take a long walk in nature.

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Question

It's fine till I try to go to sleep. Then all the things in my room want to look like faces from a scary movie. Any ideas on how I could stop being afraid?

Community Answer

Look at them and say to yourself, "These faces are fake and there is no way they can hurt me."

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Question

What if I can't get a scary movie out of my head?

Community Answer

Try to watch the movie again, mainly the parts that frighten you the most. It may help you get the movie out of your head. You can also read up on how that movie was made, especially the part that frightened you. Once you know how it was made, it might not be as scary anymore.

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Question

I have just made the mistake of watching a gory and violent scene from a very gory movie with taboo themes, such as cannibalism. This has left me disgusted, scared and paranoid. How do I recover?

Julia Pearse

Community Answer

Move on. Staying active, social, and outdoors will clear your mind and make you forget about it for a while. Taking a walk through a forest or a park is a great way to bring peace to your mind. If it still bothers you after a while, talk to someone, don't let it stay in your mind.

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Question

What if it's a scary image of a real person with a twisted mouth?

Community Answer

Assuming you mean that the person's mouth is twisted in a very unnatural way, just remind yourself that this isn't real; no one's mouth actually looks like this. The image was probably doctored using Photoshop or video editing software. Don't worry, it's just pretend!

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Question

What if nothing helps and you keep thinking that the thing is in your room?

Community Answer

Keep reminding yourself that it isn't real, and maybe turn on your light and read a book for awhile.

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Question

I looked up The Human Centipede and now my thoughts keep flicking back to the horrific images of the movie. How can I drown out the pictures that my brain just goes back to?

Community Answer

Try to make it something funny, like a meme! That usually helps me. I don't know what the Human Centipede looks like (nor do I want to know), but I'm sure if you slap some finesse signs and Donald Trump's face on it, you'll definitely laugh!

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Question

What if the things they showed in the movie happened to me?

Community Answer

This can be creepy, but just think of why it happened and try not to re-create the action. This can help make the event less scary.

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Question

How do I overcome the fear of a haunted doll movie?

Community Answer

Think through it, dolls are only plastic figures, they can't do a single thing but bring joy to a child. Think of how stupid the people making the film must have felt making a child's toy scary, and that should help rid you of your fear.

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Question

I watched something scary, and at night I get scared of the shadows around the door. What do I do?

Community Answer

Turn on the light for a second and take a look around the door. You'll be able to see whatever is causing the shadows (a piece of furniture, an article of clothing, etc.). Either move whatever it is, or just remind yourself when you turn the light back off that you have nothing to be afraid of. Don't watch scary things before bed!

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Question

I watched Conjuring 2, and now I am getting text messages with same words on my phone. What can I do?

Heartsy

Community Answer

Don’t panic. Does anyone know that you watched the movie? If so, that person probably is just trying to tease or scare you. If it is not a person you know, block the number immediately. It must be a person, and not a ghost. Don’t be scared.

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Question

I just watched a scene that freaked me out because I imagined it happening for real. I tried everything you suggested and I know it's not real, but I'm still scared. What can I do?

Community Answer

What I usually do is look for all the things that make it fake. Depending on what the scene is, you could look up the actor. Seeing his/her face normally should put things in perspective.

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Question

What do I do when my imagination is so vivid and thinking about something else isn't helping?

Community Answer

A vivid imagination can be useful! Just continue the story. Create a character in your mind and have that character be the protagonist of your story. It usually helps to distract you from the scary things since you start working more on the character.

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Question

How can I stop crying after (accidentally) watching a sad video?

Community Answer

Look at your favorite funny video, picture, or meme. If you have a pet, play with it until you are distracted. If you want, you can also read a good book.

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Question

What should I do if I feel like I'm being followed around?

Community Answer

Just remember you aren’t being followed around, and you’re safe. If you invite someone to take a walk with you, it might help.

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Question

What if literally nothing works? I've tried all the tips listed above. What do I do?

Community Answer

Eventually you will forget about it, or it just won't seem so scary anymore. Keep trying the tips anyway, even if it seems like they're not working. Be patient.

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Question

What if I see objects at night that remind me of the scary movie?

Community Answer

Realize that the movie isn't real and the objects can't harm you, but if that doesn't work, remove the object from the room if possible. A dream catcher might help to make you more comfortable (but has no real effect).

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