Since OTT platforms gained popularity starting from the height of the COVID pandemic, the popularity of true crime documentaries, podcasts, and psychological thrillers has soared in India. All big names of Bollywood have been jumping on this bandwagon, which has helped a lot of lesser-known but exceptionally talented creators bloom. This is evident from Sujoy Ghosh’s extremely anticipated Jaane Jaan, a mystery thriller that was recently released on Netflix. Combining the stardom of Kareena Kapoor, and the versatility of Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Verma, Jaane Jan also utilised the ever-so-famous tropes of suspense, gore, and violence, the trifecta that is often the key part of a thriller.
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These exact shock factors that titillate your innate curiosity, are what makes true crimes and psychological thrillers so addictive. However, have you ever wondered whether these violent and shocking scenes could be impacting your mental health? Surely consuming such intense negativity all the time has to have some detrimental effects, right? To figure out these doubts, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Syantani Mukherjee, Consultant, Psychiatry, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
Why Are We Obsessed With True Crime and Psychological Thrillers?
As per a study titled ‘Effects of Horror Movies on Psychological Health of Youth,’ the researchers concluded that one of the reasons why people love watching thrillers is because they love to endure the terror and fear to enjoy the euphoric sense of relief at the end.
Whether it be Asur’s incessant and brutal murders galore, or The House Of Secrets retelling of the unbelievably supernatural suicides of an entire family of eleven, taking pleasure by watching such gory details demands an explanation.
Just like smoking, alcohol, video games, or sex, watching unfathomable violence and suspense can give you a dopamine rush that will leave you wanting more. Explaining this phenomenon, Dr Mukherjee said, “Thrillers employ a lot of elements that titillate and excite you. Watching thrillers and true crime, where your mind is employed all the time to figure out what will happen next, or where the story is going, results in a big surge in dopamine. I wouldn’t use the word addiction, but this big jump in dopamine can get you hooked as your brain will keep chasing that high it received after watching a satisfying true crime and psychological thrillers.”
“Maybe people get connected to the emotions of the people portrayed in the movie, who are victims of a violent crime or have lost a loved one at the hands of the said violence. This could also be a reason why people get hooked on true crime. Or it can be that people get stimulated by the serial killers and how they draw in their victims and psychopathy,” she added.
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After a session of extreme dopamine-inducing true crime and thrillers, everyday life seems a bit bland. This can cause you to feel depressed, and to avoid those negative feelings, people often go back to watching suspenseful thrilling content. Dr Mukherjee cited this vicious cycle as another reason why we get obsessed with watching true crime and psychological thrillers.
The Dark Side Of Bingeing On Thrillers
While true crime and psychological thrillers offer thrilling entertainment, there is a darker side to excessive consumption. “Bingeing on true crime and psychological thrillers can give rise to anxiety, sleeplessness, feeling depressed, listlessness, low engagement with the surroundings, and withdrawal,” informed Dr Mukherjee.
Calling it a soft addiction, Dr Mukherjee listed the effects of bingeing on true crime and psychological thrillers on the viewers' mental health:
- Watching too much violent or disturbing content can lead to desensitisation. Over time, you may become less sensitive to violence and gore, making it easier to consume more and more graphic content.
- Increased anxiety and fear are also potential consequences. Constant exposure to suspenseful or terrifying scenarios can heighten one's sense of paranoia and anxiety, especially when the content blurs the line between fiction and reality.
- In a society where safety is a significant concern, excessive consumption of true crime content can contribute to a heightened sense of danger. News headlines already inundate us with stories of crime and tragedy, and immersing oneself in fictionalised versions of these events can exacerbate these fears, and make the world seem terrifying and unsafe.
- These feelings of anxiety and fear can increase your stress levels, giving rise to feelings of frustration as real life can not be compared to the unparalleled excitement of thrillers. This often results in people losing interest in their surroundings, and losing their drive or motivation to perform their daily tasks to the best of their ability.
- Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the impact of excessive true crime and psychological thriller consumption. Their developing minds may not fully grasp the distinction between fiction and reality. This can lead to confusion, nightmares, and even behavioural issues.
Highlighting the extremes of consuming too much true crime, Dr Mukherjee shared how patients often wonder whether watching such psychopathic content can make them a psychopath. Amusingly, she informed, that there are reports stating that terrorists often motivate themselves or get ideas by watching true crime documentaries or violent thrillers.
Managing The Impact Of True Crime And Psychological Thrillers
Dr Mukherjee advised, “If your children or loved ones are obsessively watching thrilling and violent content, rather than admonishing them, keep an open dialogue to try to understand the underlying reasons why they are bingeing on such content.”
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“Parents must monitor and guide their children's media consumption, ensuring that they're exposed to age-appropriate content and helping them understand the fictional nature of what they're watching,” she added.
The challenge of solving crimes, and the thrill of suspense, fear, and the adrenaline rush that accompanies it can be addictive. Morbid curiosity, a desire to understand the darkest corners of the human psyche, and the appeal of ‘whodunit’ mysteries all play a role in our fascination. However, the key to enjoying true crime and psychological thrillers without negatively affecting your mental health lies in moderation and self-awareness. You need to recognise when your consumption becomes distressing or overwhelming and take steps to balance it with lighter, more positive content, or just take a break from screen time and spend it in the real world.