Things That Scare Us: Scary Movies and HSP Women
Everyone is quoting the latest horror remake and you are quietly wondering how soon you can leave the room. As a licensed mental health counselor at Therapy with Enid, I work with highly sensitive women who are tired of hearing that they should grow out of it, and this post covers scary movies and highly sensitive people, and why skipping them is a good choice. It is the first in my Things That Scare Us series, and the next post covers being easily startled.
The Advice You Have Probably Heard
When you were little, it was fine to cover your face, leave the room, or hide under a blanket. In your teens, you may have pretended to watch while paying attention to something else, or skipped movie night with a reason about homework. As an adult, people ask whether you have seen the latest remake of a classic, and the reaction when you say you do not like scary movies is less kind.
I hear the same lines from many women, and I have heard some of them myself:
“You will grow out of it.”
“It is fake, you know.”
“You just have not seen the right ones.”
Why Horror Hits Differently
Horror is designed to set off the body’s threat response, with a racing heart, tense muscles, and a jolt of adrenaline. Researchers who study recreational fear find that people differ a great deal in how much they enjoy that arousal, with some finding it thrilling and others finding it distressing. If you are highly sensitive, you may feel that arousal more strongly and take longer to settle afterward, and for some people it shows up later as nightmares or trouble sleeping.
When I was a child, scary movies left me afraid to be alone and unable to sleep, and as an adult they still make me jumpy and anxious. There is nothing to grow out of. Entertainment is meant to entertain, and if it makes you feel panicked, it is not doing its job for you.
Enjoying Entertainment Your Way
This Halloween season and all year, you can skip the latest scary movie and the old classics. Watch something funny or heartwarming, or skip ahead to the holiday movies, which start earlier every year. You do not have to apologize for how you move through the world, and you do not owe anyone an explanation. If you want a few words ready, try one of these:
“Horror is not my thing, but I would love to watch something else together.”
“I will skip this one, and I am happy to join you for dinner after.”
“I know it is fun for you, and it is not fun for me.”
If scary content leaves you anxious for days, interferes with your sleep, or comes with worry that spills into the rest of your life, it may be worth talking with a professional. You can read more about anxiety therapy in Florida if that sounds like you.
You get to say no, and your life is yours to enjoy during spooky season and every other season. For more on honoring what you want, see my post on naming what you want as an HSP.
Therapy for Highly Sensitive Women in Florida
If you are a woman in Florida who sees herself in this post, I would love to support you. I am a licensed therapist, and I offer online therapy in Florida for women who want to understand their sensitivity, protect their peace, and say no to what does not feel good. Contact me to tell me a little about what you are looking for, and we can talk about whether working together feels like a good fit.
Enid DeJesus is a licensed mental health counselor who provides online therapy in Florida for high-achieving, highly sensitive women. She helps women understand their sensitivity and set limits on what overwhelms them. Her approach is warm and solution-focused, and her work centers on practical skills for saying no and protecting energy. If you are tired of being told to toughen up, she would love to hear from you.
