Anna and Damar’s Inventions (YouTube)
True crime documentaries and series have always been a hot topic. It’s not just because today, in the age of OTT, we can watch these stories all on the go. But the truth is, people have always read these stories in newspapers, heard them on radio shows, or watched them in classic detective series.
So, it’s not really fair to blame the entire game on the rise of OTT – there’s no doubt that the crime genre has become much more binge-worthy these days, with epic storylines told by great directors and fantastic casts – but the crime genre has always been one of the more popular genres.
First, I’m not a psychiatrist, nor am I a person who likes serial killer stories, but who I am is the most important part here: I work as a journalist and have had the opportunity to interview bereaved families who have either committed suicide or are suffering in the aftermath of a horrific incident.
Plus, I’m a metal fan and songwriter who has written a lot of death metal songs about torture and mad scientist experimentation on humans, but even when I was writing songs, sometimes I felt it was a bit too heavy and I didn’t enjoy what I wrote.
So how exactly do these incredibly fascinating stories impact your mental health?
Why are we drawn to crime thrillers?
Well, it is human behavior to be intrigued by new things. But people usually make fun of those who enjoy true and scary stories, not realizing that they too have the same feelings about something else.
Otherwise, there would be no explorers and we wouldn’t have landed on the moon yet. There’s just a strong interest.
Another reason why people tend to watch crime thrillers is because they want to know what happened with someone in the past and be prepared if they ever find themselves in such a situation.
This is the most common reason and it is very attractive to women. But that being said, watching or listening to a lot of crime stories can have a negative impact on your mental health.
How does it affect you? Listen to your body. There are always signs.
Too much of anything can be bad for your health, and so can too many crime thrillers, documentaries, podcasts, and crime novels.
These are meant to prepare you for your worst nightmare, but sometimes they can lead to dramatic changes in your behavior. My point is, it’s good to be vigilant, but take a moment to reflect on your own behavior and see if you’re overreacting.
You may even stop leaving the house. You may stop socializing. Keep in mind that it’s not just real events in history like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, etc. that have a negative effect on you.
Even fictionalized crime stories can change your behavior in the same way, but I’m not here to tell you to boycott such series altogether and stop watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Only Murders in the Building, or binge-watching Unbelievable, Inventing Anna, or Blackbirds.
All I ask is that you be careful with your own behavior. Be vigilant with yourself. Your actions may be crying out for change, but you may be deaf.
Viewing too many crime scenes can leave you exhausted and frightened, says psychologist Dr. Chivona Childs.
Over time, your pet may begin to feel fear rather than curiosity. A faster heart rate and shallow breathing are some of the signs to look out for.
When should you take a break?
If your attitude towards a crime story has changed, it’s time to think about it. Pay attention to how you feel about the story. Do you actually want to find out more about it? Do you feel anxious or stressed?
If you notice mood swings or are feeling down and you no longer enjoy the series, try stopping and switching genres.
Maybe rewatch Game of Thrones or rewatch Breaking Bad, but it’s also healthy to watch a sitcom in between, or SNL, or just take a break from the true and fictional crime stories you watch every day.
