Does this sound like the perfect night-in to you? Snuggled up on a cosy sofa, indulgent hot chocolate in hand, watching a gruesome true crime drama or documentary? You’re not alone. DAHMER-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story premiered on Netflix in September 2022 and surpassed one billion viewed hours, while according to an article from The University of Derby, three dedicated true crime TV channels in the UK reach over five million people a month. It’s safe to say we can’t get enough of true crime content!
Whilst we might find it fascinating, and some might experience morbid curiosity from the unsettling real-life tales, the true crime content we consume can also impact our mental health. Keep reading to discover how and some ways you can ensure you are taking care when watching, reading or listening to dark content.
Heightened feelings of anxiety and depression
First and foremost, if you’re susceptible to anxiety and depression, watching true crime content may heighten those difficult emotions. If you find yourself feeling deeply affected when viewing such content, it’s important to turn it off, only to return to it once you feel ready and in a better headspace.
Fear of everyday tasks
Some who have consumed true crime content might find themselves scared to walk alone, drive or, in extreme cases, leave the house or be alone at home. Of course, this isn’t a healthy way to live, and if you find that watching true crime is making you more fearful in your everyday life and is interfering with your daily activities, it’s time to stop consuming such content.
Nightmare and sleep deprivation
Sleep is an important factor in taking care of your mental health. Poor quality or improper sleeping patterns increase negative emotional responses to stressors and decrease positive emotions. Watching or listening to true crime content just before bed might be detrimental to your sleep, leading to negative emotions, anxiety or depression. If you want to listen to a dark podcast or watch the latest true crime documentary, ensure you do this at least a few hours before bed. You don’t want to experience restless nights or scary nightmares after all!
Overall, it’s okay to be fascinated with dark subjects like true crime, but it’s most important to have balance in life. Make sure you take regular breaks when watching true crime, turn it off a few hours before bed, and if you are feeling more anxious or depressed after watching such content, just switch it off. True crime is best consumed when you’re in a happy, healthy headspace. Take care of yourself.
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Written by Eliza Allen
