A psychologist is cautioning that finding true crime stories relaxing could be a significant red flag.
If you browse through Netflix’s library, you’ll come across numerous dark and unsettling documentaries that delve into real-life, horrific crimes.
For example, there’s a three-part series about the ‘real-life Gone Girl,’ which recounts a couple’s terrifying ordeal with a home invader.
Then there’s Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, which documents the story of a spiritual leader who builds a system of abuse and manipulation.
Although these shows are among Netflix’s most-watched, a psychologist has raised concerns, warning that enjoying true crime could be a major red flag.
However, not everyone shares the expert’s view.
One person writes, “The trauma itself isn’t relaxing to me—it’s the justice that the characters or real people often receive, something I never got in my own life.”
Another person adds, “I’m not focused on the trauma. I enjoy seeing the bad guy get caught or watching them solve the mystery.”
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 like watching the dark side of things. To me, it makes us more aware of this crazy world, in case we ever find ourselves in these kinds of situations.”
However, for some, the expert’s warning hits a little too close to home.
One person writes, “Wow! That makes so much sense.”
A second adds, “It still surprises me that people find peace boring. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over that.”
“Wow, that is exactly what I watch to relax,” a third person comments. “This was so enlightening.”
Someone else admits, “Woah, I never even thought about this. When my mom was dying, I was watching real-life crime to calm me.”
On The Mel Robbins Podcast, psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant discussed how people can reconnect and heal after facing hardship.
During the episode, Dr. Bryant explained that those who watch violent media may be drawn to it because the trauma depicted feels familiar to them.
She said, “If your idea of relaxing before you go to sleep is to watch three episodes of Law and Order, I would encourage you to think about, ‘Why is trauma relaxing to me?'”
“Some of us grew up in high-stress situations, so people mistake peace for boring.”
“To come home to yourself, you have to lean into the discomfort because it’s going to feel unfamiliar.
“It may be a good time to reprogram your nervous system. Peace may seem unfamiliar and feel boring, but you are worth it.”
