A creepy theme in honor of Halloween.
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| | | | How is October almost over?! In honor of Halloween tomorrow, let's talk about something spooky that everyone seems to love: true crime. What is it about serial killers and other dark tales that folks can't get enough of? And what can regularly engaging with this stuff do to your mental health? Enough with the questions. Find the answers below. | | First up, read these not-so-scary stories that just bubbled up in our cauldron: | | | | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
October 30, 2023 • 3 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Is it time to pull back on watching true crime? | 👀️ Why do people love true crime? This genre affects thrill-seeking psyches just like watching horror movies or going to haunted houses might. Because it's not a direct threat to the person listening or watching, "it's a safe way for us to learn about fear, the dangers of the world, our tolerance for it, and our ability to cope with it," explains psychologist Jennifer Bahrman, PhD.
💀 Can consuming it lead to any spooky side effects? Yep! Both during and after. You might feel uncomfortable while watching, especially if the content is graphic and disturbing. "Excessive exposure can lead to an increase in anxiety, PTSD, and heart rate," Bahrman warns. (Take it from this writer who claims her mental health improved after she stopped listening to her favorite murder podcast.)
"It can also lead to desensitization of fear-inducing situations and normalization of these situations." For example, you might feel less emotional over news of violence or suffering. Not to mention, "romanticizing" horrific stories for entertainment purposes could also upset or trigger families of victims and survivors of similar situations.
🛑 How much is too much? Everyone's limits are different. "It's essential to be mindful of how consuming such content affects your emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being," says UK-based psychotherapist Ella McCrystal. Some signs it might be time to cut back on true crime consumption — or stop entirely — include: - increased anxiety or fear while watching or after you've finished
- disrupted sleep due to nightmares or paranoia
- if your obsession starts interfering with life, work, or relationships (e.g., avoiding interactions with people, trouble focusing on projects because you're stressed or you can't turn off a podcast)
| | If your true crime obsession is negatively affecting you in any way, consider speaking with a therapist. Otherwise, continue enjoying creepy content at your own risk. | | | | | | |
| | | | Creepy cakes await | | | | | | |  | | Nordic Ware Skull Bites Cakelet Pan | | Searching for the perfect dessert to bring to a Halloween party? Bake your own treats in this skull-shaped baking pan and spook whoever dares to take a bite. This heavy nonstick pan makes the creepiest little cakes or ice cube molds for mocktails! | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! We hope you have a safe and happy Halloween. If you dress up your pet tomorrow, *please* send us a picture of them in costume at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition.)
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