Halloween season brings with it a host of eerie decorations, spine-chilling movies, and haunted attractions, enticing some to revel in fear while others avoid these unsettling experiences altogether. What is it about horror that pulls certain people in and sends others running? This question has intrigued psychologists, filmmakers, and fans alike for decades. From the intensity of a jump scare to the slow-burning unease of a ghost story, people experience fear differently, often based on temperament, past experiences, and personal mental health predispositions. But contrary to popular belief, finding horror thrilling or horrifying doesn’t necessarily signal a mental health issue or indicate a need for therapy. In this blog, we’ll unpack why some people love scary experiences, the psychological impact of horror, and how these experiences affect our mental health differently.
Why Some People Love Horror and Others Don’t
The fascination with horror and fear-inducing experiences often begins with personality. Researchers have found that individuals with a sensation-seeking temperament—a personality trait where people crave excitement and novel experiences—are often more drawn to horror films and frightening attractions. Sensation seekers thrive on the adrenaline rush that horror provides. The intensity of scary experiences, such as those found in haunted houses or horror movies, fulfills a need for arousal, excitement, and stimulation that more cautious individuals might avoid.
For those who steer clear of scary experiences, however, fear itself may evoke real discomfort or even anxiety. These individuals may not have a strong need for stimulation, or they might have higher sensitivity to stimuli, which can make horror genuinely distressing. This sensitivity could be shaped by several factors, such as past trauma, heightened anxiety, or even childhood experiences with fear. Thus, while some people enjoy horror as a form of entertainment, others may experience it as a form of mental and physical distress.
The Psychology of Fear: Why Do We Like to Be Scared?
While fear is a primal response designed to protect us, voluntary exposure to fear—like watching a horror movie—is a bit more complex. When we feel fear in a controlled environment, our brains process the experience differently than they would if we were in actual danger. Watching a horror movie in the safety of our homes or a theater allows us to experience fear with a “safety net” in place. The mind recognizes that, despite our heightened heart rates and sweaty palms, we are not in real danger.
In psychology, this is known as "benign masochism." Our brains enjoy the thrill of fear because they know we’re ultimately safe. This phenomenon allows us to get a dopamine rush, similar to what we feel after completing a tough workout, achieving a goal, or facing a challenge. The dopamine release during fear, combined with the sense of relief afterward, gives some people a psychological “high” that keeps them coming back for more horror experiences.
Temperament and Individual Differences in Fear Responses
One of the fascinating aspects of fear is that we all experience it in our own way. Some people get a thrill from haunted houses, while others might feel nauseated just thinking about a ghost story. This difference in fear response isn’t necessarily a matter of having a mental health disorder; it’s more about individual temperament and prior experiences.
Our reactions to fear can be shaped by both genetics and environment. For instance, children who grow up in environments where fear and excitement are normalized may feel more comfortable engaging in thrilling experiences as adults. Alternatively, individuals who experienced trauma or developed anxiety early in life may feel heightened sensitivity to fear. Such sensitivities can lead to avoidance behaviors, where people avoid horror because it brings up distressing or even triggering sensations.
This difference doesn’t signify any mental health problem by itself. The reaction to horror varies widely and reflects individual personality traits. Innerspace Counseling often reminds clients that mental health is a spectrum, and personal boundaries around fear are just that—personal. Loving or hating horror doesn’t imply a mental health diagnosis or the need for a treatment plan.
How Horror Affects Mental Health
For some, exposure to horror films and terrifying experiences can act as a kind of exposure therapy, helping them become more resilient to fear. By confronting fearful images in a controlled environment, people can, over time, reduce their anxiety responses. However, for individuals with mental health issues such as PTSD, severe anxiety, or depression, horror can exacerbate symptoms or create overwhelming thoughts and feelings. For these individuals, exposure to horror might trigger distress rather than relief, impacting their mental health in negative ways.
People with heightened anxiety or depressive tendencies may have physiological reactions to horror that mimic symptoms of panic attacks or depressive episodes. For example, horror movies with themes of isolation, despair, or overwhelming darkness can create echoes of depressive thoughts in those who are already vulnerable. Similarly, those with anxiety might experience heightened distress during scenes that focus on loss of control or unpredictable danger, which can make horror deeply uncomfortable rather than enjoyable.
It’s important to note that these reactions don’t mean that someone necessarily needs treatment. They simply mean that the individual may be more affected by certain types of stimuli due to their temperament and previous experiences. Innerspace Counseling provides IOP and PHP options for those who are experiencing intense mental health issues, but the reaction to horror alone isn’t a diagnostic factor for treatment.
Horror as a Coping Mechanism for Some
Interestingly, many people use horror as a means of coping with their own mental health issues. For some, horror movies allow them to experience their anxieties in a controlled and cathartic way. Watching a character survive intense fear can be empowering, and for those struggling with fears of their own, horror can provide a sense of mastery. Horror can sometimes offer a way for people to feel a sense of control over their fears, which is why some mental health professionals use controlled exposure in therapeutic settings.
In Innerspace Counseling’s IOP and PHP programs, we often incorporate CBT and DBT as part of treatment plans to help individuals manage their responses to fear, anxiety, and stress. While horror films aren’t usually a formal part of therapy, the concept of controlled exposure is certainly related to therapeutic practices. Learning to face distressing thoughts in a safe, structured environment can be transformative for clients managing anxiety, depression, or phobias.
Horror and Social Bonds
Another compelling reason people enjoy horror is the sense of connection it brings. Watching a horror movie with friends or family, for instance, allows individuals to share an intense experience. The shared laughter, fear, or surprise creates bonding moments, enhancing feelings of closeness. Social bonding in the context of horror can make the experience even more enjoyable for some, as they feel supported and understood by others who are experiencing the same intense emotions.
Halloween, in particular, has a social dimension, where communities come together to celebrate with costumes, decorations, and gatherings. This social engagement can have positive effects on mental health, as it brings people out of isolation and into social connection. For individuals who struggle with feelings of loneliness, social celebrations around Halloween may offer relief, at least temporarily.
The Takeaway: Reactions to Horror Are Unique, Not Diagnosable
Ultimately, the enjoyment or avoidance of horror is part of the diverse spectrum of human experience and doesn’t indicate any specific mental health disorder. A person’s sensitivity to horror is unique and shaped by various factors, including temperament, past experiences, and even cultural background. Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or find yourself shying away from it, this response doesn’t signal a need for a diagnosis or treatment plan. Instead, it reflects your personal boundaries and comfort levels around fear.
That being said, if you or someone close to you experiences mental health issues beyond the realm of horror movies—such as intense anxiety, depression, or overwhelming thoughts—Innerspace Counseling is here to help. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offer comprehensive mental health care tailored to each individual. We provide specialized care, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to help people manage their thoughts and feelings, develop coping skills, and build stronger mental health foundations. If you or a loved one is struggling with unbearable mental health symptoms, reach out to Innerspace Counseling for guidance and support.
Scary experiences can be thrilling, unnerving, or downright unpleasant, depending on the individual. Whether you’re the one setting up haunted house decorations or avoiding them, remember that there’s no “right” reaction to fear—it’s all part of the fascinating complexity of the human mind.