Help, terrified after movies

[whydididothistome]

I’m not usually scared by scary films, although I don’t really watch them anyway.

I was having a girly night with my friends and we watched several movies. They wanted to watch scary movies and I was happy to watch them because im not usually scared. however this was different

im absolutely terrified now. I thought I would only be scared for the next day or so but it hasn’t gone away. I know it’s only movies and not real and I don’t know why it’s frightened me so much but it has. I’m a uni student and or usually easily frightened but I can’t cope with being alone in the house anymore and I can’t sleep without all the lights on in my room and hallway. I tried a nightlight etc but I need the room to be completely bright or I feel choked with fear. I’ve been having horrible nightmares and I’m constantly terrified and I don’t even understand why or what about in particular, the movies just absolutely terrified me.

it was insidious (I know there’s several but it was one that had a ghost that kept keys) and the other was sinister.

does anyone have any advice on how I can feel better? I’ll never make the mistake of watching a scary movie again, I hate this all so much

Fluffy audiobook while you are going to sleep.

I love horror movies, but every once in awhile one will just unsettles me for some reason. I think the last time it happened it was The Strangers… that one freaked me right out.

It will pass 🙂

1. See if you can find any videos of behind the scenes, or if not imagine as clearly as you can what it would have been like filming and directing the movie, writing the script, getting the actors made up etc. Look up info about the director, producer etc, interviews with them. Move your mind round to thinking of this as a film that would have been fun to make.

1. Create a new ending in your mind when you start seeing images of it... imagine the character taking off their wig and saying something funny, having a funny accent, imagine them tripping over, doing a fart, etc. Mentally rehearse this new ending so that when you're asleep you can make it happen too - trust me this is possible.

1. Put on soothing music, soothing smells, warm shower etc. Remind yourself that your brain is trying to keep you safe because it thinks there's a danger, it received information that there is a danger so it is trying to make your body ready to keep safe. However you know logically that there is no danger, so you now need to gradually ans gently turn this automatic safety state off by reassuring your brain like you would reassure a child.

You'll be ok!

Both of them freak me out tbh. I couldn't look down the entry at the side of the house, which is circular shaped and lit by the moon, for months after watching the ring. Can you watch some Disney etc and control your thought pattern, so you replace the horror with something nice.

It will pass, you just have to power through it. Distract yourself with another movie, music, reading, etc.

It was just a movie. It wasn't real. Your fears aren't, either. You'll be ok.

I know the following will be hard, but one of the quickest ways you can get over fears is by letting go of any 'safety behaviours' you have. These are things that you feel are keeping you safe, but aren't really cos the threat doesn't exist. For example keeping the light on. Our brain gets into the habit of thinking 'I was only safe cos the light was on' and it doesn't come round to the idea of ' I was safe cos the threat doesn't exist'. The more we do actions that indicates the threat is real, the more our brain goes 'oh my god, this must be bad, let's keep in a permanent state of fight and flight (anxiety) to be ready for when the threat gets us'. If you let the safety behaviours go, you will still be safe and you brain will start letting go of some fear.

Good luck. Insidious got me for weeks too!

Go online and watch the press interviews or behind the scenes footage from each film. Genuinely works. Totally takes away the horror aspect by reminding you it's just a made up story played by people reading a script in stage makeup.

Watching something familiar and light or amusing helps me cleanse my mental palate after a scary film.

Maybe there's something specific that will work just for you. I always find Pride and Prejudice calming. For some reason, that world feels completely rational and sane to me, the antithesis of a horror movie.

I found Sinister absolutely terrifying and still get scared about it sometimes. This won't last forever but you've had some good advice. Xxx

I experienced this as a young adult and learned that I just don't enjoy scary movies. For some people it has a similar thrill to being on a rollercoaster - there's a release from being terrified in a context of actually being absolutely safe but I think more imaginative people engage more deeply with on-screen fiction, and turn the "willing suspension of disbelief" dial up so high that it actually becomes traumatic rather than enjoyable. I would describe some of the symptoms I had as being similar to PTSD.

I generally don't watch that kind of thing at all now. If a tv series that I am otherwise enjoying has a horror element in some episodes I will consciously disengage for the horror scenes - will play a few rounds of wordle or solitaire on my phone or similar. It helps to recognise the cinematic techniques that are being used to manipulate your emotions. The sound track, camera angles etc that are designed to heighten your sense of dread and the extent to which you imaginatively identify yourself with the imminent victim of violence.

I look back on that time now with more anger that I was manipulated rather than with fear (Wednesday Adams advice - don't get scared, get angry) although rationally the studio employees who used these manipulative techniques to heighten your fear aren't actually bad for doing so, it is their job after all, but anger is less traumatic to process into acceptance and calm than terror is.

Look up the actors/writers/production team on Wikipedia, see if there is footage of them making it or the press interviews and try and reframe it as a piece of art that people poured their heart into.

DS was shown some poppy playtime footage that terrified him and we did the same - looked up the computer developers, saw them cutting a cake for its success, then we had a chat about what developers do and how hard they must work/what they learned about in school to be able to choose that career - did the trick

I agree, watch some interviews/behind the scenes footage etc. Maybe watch other films the same actors are in.

I was very unnerved by Jeepers Creepers, which is embarrassing because it's schlocky and ridiculous! Whereas The Blair Witch Project had me rolling my eyes at all the irritating shrieking. Some images just tap into your fears, and some leave you bored.

I was the same after insidious. Awful film. I'd have a lamp on and read/distract my self til I fall asleep

As you are a student I would advise you to visit the well being hub at your Uni and talk to someone there. They might be able to help you to get back on track.

A similar thing happened to me many years ago when I was at Uni. I read a true crime book about a serial killer duo and I just felt
overwhelmed and oppressed by their depravity which felt palpable. I was living in halls at the time and was so spooked that I had to go to my best friend’s room. I was terrified. I recall that the fear passed in a matter of days. I hope yours does too.

To wean off the full lights overnight, use a nightlight and play Disney songs on repeat overnight. I think The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast should be good. Then progress to music only without nightlight. Voila. You’ll wake up all princessy and positive. The ear worm is a separate issue.

No original advice, OP, but sympathy!

I'm the most rational, sceptical person you could ever meet during daylight hours, but if I have to spend a night alone in the house I'm just like you, even if I haven't watched a spooky film.

Just watch/read lighthearted stuff before bed, have the radio on with some comedy etc, make sure you're tired and have a bath/shower to really relax you so you will hopefully just drift off to sleep. At the moment you could leave the curtains open and it would stay light for quite some time if that helps. Or leave the radio on very quietly a) to cover any creaky noises in the house and b) to be 'company' for you.

I've been in this situation many times with spooky films and Insidious and Paranormal Activity were the worst offenders. I've never dared watch The Ring since my very scientific, confident friend got into a situation after watching it. She couldn't turn the lights off for several weeks!

At the end of the day (sorry - cliche alert) you have to keep telling yourself that it's just a film - it's not real. Easy to say, and I'm not one to play down the power of imagination, but just think of the actors getting ready for each shot, their make-up being touched up and the director calling 'Action - take 32!' or something. It all came out of a a film studio!!

Good luck!

Reading your title I knew it would be one of the Insidious movies!
I always try to imagine the scariest character sat in the make up and prosthetics chair, sipping a latte through a straw and trying to eat a ham sandwich. Much less scary!

Just wanted to say horror movie fan but those two were genuinely v chilling. Sinister in particular I couldn’t get out of my head so it’s definitely not just you. Good advice upthread.

I wish I could get this scared by horror films again but I have become completely desensitised to them!

Put the lights on wherever you go. It will pass with time.

First thing, it is one of normal reactions. Nothing wrong about you, just the movie was over your momental intensity threshold.

I second searching for "behind the scenes" clips.

Another tip, search for online movie parent guides. For each movie covered, they contain a practical summary of potential troublesome parts without spoiling too much.

It can help rationalize your recent experience (seeing a bullet list of scary points), and in the future you can check how much scary or which type of scary a movie is.

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I don't take well scary, intense and close up violence, so many movies are no go for me. The parent guides help me to decide what is ok, and if I really want to see something on the edge, being forewarned helps a lot.

They are both horrible movies and scared the shit out of me too. I hate scary films they play on my mind for days and days and I find myself running to the toilet and back, at 33! 😆

I get like this!

After a horror I like to watch terrestrial TV - the news, any sort of UK based programme to remind myself that is whats real and the film isnt.

I second the PP about watching behind the scenes footage!

I also hate the conjuring films... just no need for something so scary to be made lol

You need easy watching, family guy, gavin and Stacey, friends, the middle etc, these are all my feel good shows !

Google ‘Mr Blobby in The Conjuring’. You will never be scared of those films again. Sadly he has yet to be inserted into the two films bothering the OP.

I agree with the poster who said watch behind the scenes footage of the film. It will help