Psychologist warns it’s a red flag if anyone relaxes by watching true crime shows
An expert has opened up on why so many people like to binge-watch true crime documentaries, claiming it may have something to do with their upbringing.
We all know someone who's rinsed the Netflix true crime section. A friend who has watched everything from The Tindler Swindler to The Menendez Brothers, the Jennifer Pan doc and the new Amanda Knox project.
It’s believed there are over 90 TV programmes and films categorised by the streaming giant as ‘true crime’, so there’s definitely something to sink your teeth into every night of the week.
But did you know that people who are obsessed with unsolved murders or close-to-home killings may be using the shows as somewhat of a coping mechanism?
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Well, according to psychologist Dr Thema Bryant, anyway.
The American professor, who directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory at Pepperdine University, previously appeared on the popular Mel Robbins podcast to discuss her tips for finding inner peace.
Amid the conversation, Dr Bryant made a serious case for why religiously watching true crime stories and listening to dedicated podcasts could be a red flag behaviour.
She said: "If your idea of relaxing before you go to sleep is to watch three episodes of Law and Order, [then] 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 gonna feel unfamiliar."
Dr Bryant's observations are reinforced by Dr Elizabeth Jeglic, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Speaking to Crime Reads, she explained why she believes survivors of trauma may be so interested in these kinds of stories.
"Anecdotally, some people are drawn to the study of psychology to understand themselves and heal themselves," the clinical psychologist said.
"We have many people in psychology programs who have a history of active mental illness.
"Similarly, I think it might be likely that people who have a history of trauma might be drawn to true crime to kind of re-experience those traumatic situations in a safe environment where they have more control."
Meanwhile, Patricia L. Bryan, a professor of law at the University of North Carolina, said that people treat murderous shows like ‘escapism and entertainment’.
"It speaks to why people go into haunted houses or ride a roller coaster," she reasoned.
"There’s something about facing danger when it’s not real, it’s not personal. People like to be scared or like to see the dark recesses of someone’s mind. Some people would say it helps us prepare for the violence in our own lives."
While some people remain transfixed on the true crime genre, others have been writing about how much better they feel after quitting the genre for good.
One Redditor, who said they used to watch a lot of true crime and TV in general at night, claimed they went cold turkey and now have ‘time’ to read books and go to the gym.
A second wrote: "Yes! Like some say, I dropped true crime suddenly during pregnancy. About a year ago I started losing interest in junk TV. I mean, finally.
"News has less of a hold on my attention. I am finally making art like I’ve always wanted to do but never had the time. It’s bringing me so much joy and the creative flow is beneficial in many areas of life."
A third remarked: "I was between houses last summer, so stayed with my mum. I couldn’t wait to leave because she watched true crime almost constantly and it was giving me anxiety."
Topics: True Crime, Netflix, Advice, Health, Mental Health, Reddit
Ella Scott