A psychologist is cautioning that feeling relaxed by true crime stories might be a significant red flag.
If you browse through the Netflix library, you’ll come across a plethora of dark and unsettling documentaries that delve into real-life, horrifying crimes.
For example, there’s a three-part series on the ‘real-life Gone Girl,’ which delves into a couple’s harrowing encounter with a home invader.
There’s also Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, which tracks a spiritual leader who establishes a system of abuse and coercion.
Despite these shows being among Netflix’s most-watched, a psychologist has cautioned that finding enjoyment in true crime could be a significant red flag.
However, not everyone agrees with the expert’s viewpoint.
One person writes, “The trauma itself isn’t relaxing to me—it’s the sense of justice that the characters or real people often achieve, something I never experienced in my own life.”
Another person adds, “I’m not focused on the trauma. I enjoy seeing the bad guy get caught or watching the mystery unfold.”
Someone else comments, “I’ve been watching and reading true crime for 40 years and am still on the right side of prison bars. It’s just a harmless fascination.”
A fourth person agrees, writing, “Some of us just enjoy exploring the darker side of things. For me, it’s about becoming more aware of this crazy world, in case we ever face similar scenarios.”
For some people, the expert’s words have hit a bit too close to home.
One person writes, “Wow! This makes so much sense.”
A second person says, “I’m still surprised that some people find peace boring. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”
A third person comments, “Wow, that’s exactly what I watch to relax. This was so enlightening.”
Someone else admits, “Whoa, I never even thought about this. When my mom was dying, I was watching Real Life Crime to calm myself.”
On The Mel Robbins Podcast, psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant discussed strategies for reconnecting and recovering after experiencing hardship.
During the episode, the expert claims that people who watch violent media might enjoy it because the trauma depicted feels familiar to them.
She said, “If your idea of relaxing before bed is watching three episodes of Law and Order, I’d encourage you to ask yourself, ‘Why is trauma relaxing to me?’”
“Some of us grew up in high-stress situations, so people might mistake peace for boredom.”
“To come home to yourself, you have to lean into the discomfort because it’s going to feel unfamiliar.”
“It might be a good time to reprogram your nervous system. Peace may seem unfamiliar and even boring, but you are worth it.”
