Some people like to get scared and not many would understand why. Why would you want to get scared by unrealistic stories or beings that don't make sense? For people who have anxiety, watching horror films is a form of escape to find comfort in. But the question remains the same; why? Why watch something that might trigger your anxiety? It turns out watching horror films is actually a relieving activity. It creates worries for some people with anxiety which allow them to concentrate their brains on the film instead of their own thoughts.
People with anxiety tend to have a lot of things going on in their head at once, be it work, family, romantic relationships, health, finances, and so on, so it's difficult for them to stay present in the moment and rather to think about the past or worry about the future. Being caught up in a scary plot can be a good distraction for people who feel weighed down by personal concerns. They wouldn't worry about making a mistake or uncertain future, the person would be focusing on a scary scenario that is not related to their lives, unreal, and it becomes a relief since everything they're watching is fictional.
Watching horror films can be therapeutic since it makes people with anxiety feel as if they are in control. Although our body is telling us we're in danger, when reality kicks in, then there's a realization that we're in a safe place. By allowing ourselves to be triggered by anxiety in a safe environment can be a form of therapy, as horror movies teach us to handle stress in the moment. The audience watches horror movies simply to destress themselves from anxiety they experience on the daily. Fear, as strange as it may seem, may make some people feel wonderful. It causes the release of dopamine-a feel-good neurotransmitter-in the body. Endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin are some of the neurotransmitters that play a role in fear. The neurotransmitters and hormones produced assist us in fight-or-flight mode, and people usually prefer fight mode in unrealistic circumstances since it's more bearable.
When we get through the first fight-or-flight response, we frequently feel content, reassured of our safety, and more secure in our abilities to face the things that previously terrified us. It's vital to remember that everyone is different, having their own sense of what is frightening or exciting to them. Not all people with anxiety want to add another form of fear to their thoughts by watching horror movies that might trigger them, as some might prefer 2000 teen movies. But at the end of the day, there's nothing more thrilling than getting scared by unrealistic scenarios that will never be true.
