Halloween is around the corner, and some of us willingly put ourselves through fear and suspense. Pounding heartbeat, heavy breathing, having a cold sweat, butterflies in your stomach; these don't sound like a fun experience, but we endure them when we feel fear. So why do you think so many people like to feel scared?
Safety net: When you feel scared, your body will go into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Our brains are good at acknowledging danger or the possibility of danger.
If we are in a setting where we feel "safe fright" watching a horror film, visiting a haunted house, or playing a horror video game, our brains quickly evaluate the situation and tell us that we are not in danger. Our bodies will calm down, and some will enjoy the experience and continue to seek "controlled fear."
Flooding: When we are scared, we experience a rush of adrenaline and the release of endorphins and dopamine. This biochemical rush often results in a happy/enjoyable feeling.
Self-satisfaction: Some people enjoy seeking thrills and how much fear they can tolerate. If they can handle all of the anxiety, suspense, and fear, the person can feel a sense of self-satisfaction.
Being close with others: Given that being frightened releases biochemical flooding that can cause an enjoyable outcome, we often incorrectly attribute this outcome of fear to the individual you are spending time with, with a positive association and feeling with the time they spend together.
Curiosity: Many people are curious, and the fear of the unknown is one of the most instinctual fears we have and the most interesting.
Most people love for things to have closure and be wrapped up in a way that makes sense. Most will continue to finish watching a scary movie or want to experience a fear-evoking activity to gain that sense of closure and understand the outcome.
For this Halloween, if you watch a scary movie, go to a haunted house, or play a scary video game, think about how you feel and what sensations your body is feeling. Do you feel better afterward? Do you find it enjoyable? Are you relieved that it's over? Reflect on the experience and think about it critically.
If you find yourself feeling fearful or scared in other situations from your past or present, click here for support.