Anxiety and Horror: A Love Story

By:  Maura L. Johnson

The time has arrived for streaming services and theatres alike to roll out their horror lineups and, as usual, I could not be more thrilled. From the latest take on Stephen King’s classic Carrie, to the prequel series Camp Crystal Lake, as well as Scream celebrating 30 years by playing in theatres, nostalgia is having a moment. The question of “Why do you like this stuff?” has always been asked, and for good reason. Not only does my job involve a lot of heavy, complex emotions, but I’ve worked through my own anxiety since childhood. Interestingly, I’ve always noticed others sharing similar histories with anxiety and an interest in the macabre.  

Daily anxieties tend to feel out of control, irrational and unpredictable. Our minds may race with a variety of perceived catastrophes, having created their own horror scenes before the day truly begins. The core of anxious struggles tends to be an intolerance of uncertainty, which anxious minds crave. Nervous energy is desperately seeking an outlet, which it may find in work, errands, exercise or any number of activities. Interestingly, some individuals find horror films and content another outlet for this same energy.  

While the things we fear in daily life are wholly unpredictable, horror/scary content allows us to experience a perceived fearful event on our own terms. This may soothe anxiety by giving the brain a more specific, controlled threat to focus on vs the stock ticker running through their minds. We are also in control of how much of the controlled threat we consume, when we stop watching and whether we want to experience it again. Allowing ourselves to get lost in a scary plot can provide a (much needed) momentary pause from personal distress. However, if a person has a history of things such as severe trauma, PTSD or panic attacks, horror content may worsen anxiety. It’s always important to be mindful of what we can safely consume while making our mental wellbeing a priority.

You may have noticed that some horror films reflect current societal concerns, prompting reflection alongside an opportunity to confront deeper anxieties.  The film Contagion comes to mind when I think of something both terrifying and deeply thought provoking. Both humans and animals tend to be drawn towards observing some of the very things we fear most. It serves as an adaptive skill to learn and understand the dangers around us, with films allowing us a truly controlled way to do this. So, while having anxiety doesn’t automatically equate to a love for horror, it’s a common co-occurrence with data to back it up.

Whether it’s nostalgic horror, psychological thrillers or dystopian horror films, finding some sense of comfort in these is more common than we think. Wishing everyone a happy spooky season!