It sounds counterintuitive, perhaps—why would anyone seek out fear on purpose? But to some, horror in a safe and controlled environment can be therapeutic, especially for trauma victims or anxiety sufferers. As our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, one of the more fascinating things being explored is how horror can be used as a tool for healing.
At its core, horror speaks to our worst fears. Whether it’s the surprise of a jump scare or the insidious fear of psychological terror, the experience permits us to face our fears without horrible real-world consequences. That’s part of why horror appeals to the tenets of exposure therapy—a treatment for anxiety and PTSD that desensitizes one to feared situations in a controlled environment. Horror lets one dabble with fear but remain absolutely in command, which can make the encounter exciting and healing at the same time.
There is more to it than overcoming fear, however. Horror is emotionally evocative—it can leave us disturbed, anxious, relieved, and even exhilarated within minutes. This emotional rollercoaster is extremely cathartic, enabling people to process and eliminate linked feelings with regard to past traumas. Others believe that horror fans use the genre as a way of accessing their fear, but in a safe and manageable way. It’s not necessarily about being scared—it’s about confronting fear and feeling invincible afterward.
For survivors of trauma, particularly, horror provides something special: the opportunity to re-experience that sense of fear on their timetable. Horror narratives play out in a manner that the viewer or player can dictate. You can slow down the film. You can switch off the game. That feeling of agency is strong—it enables individuals to take back a sense of control, something that trauma tends to steal. That, over time, can begin to reshape their dynamic with fear itself.
Horror can also be surprisingly social. Screaming with friends over a horror film or arguing over a terrible game online can bond people. For those others who are alienated by trauma, these shared moments can be a source of grounding. In some therapeutic settings, even horror media is being used to build group cohesion, giving participants a shared vocabulary to talk about fear, survival, and resistance.
Horror is not for everyone. Some are affected by it, making them remember painful moments or triggering such strong feelings, particularly when the subject matter begins to feel too close to home. That is why, if horror ever becomes an option as part of a therapeutic process, it must be introduced carefully, with preparation, and the assistance of a trained therapist. It’s not a replacement for established treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or EMDR, but it can be a considerate and kind adjunct if applied judiciously.
The concept of employing horror as a means to heal may at first glance be unexpected, but it has a basis in true psychological understanding. If carefully guided, survivors of trauma can confront their fears in a controlled, safe manner, opening the door for working through difficult emotions and regaining some sense of mastery over their inner lives. It’s a new and unorthodox form of mental health treatment, but for a few, it may hold hidden comfort, resilience, and a kind of strength.
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