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Reading Suspense Thrillers Calmed My Anxiety During the Pandemic
Science proves that horror can help with mental health.
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health expert. If you are in crisis, please contact SAMHSA’s hotline at 1–800–662-HELP (4357), where trained mental health professionals can help you. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
I have lived with PTSD, depression, and anxiety for two decades now, and in that time, I have learned a lot about what self-care means for me. Hint: it has nothing to do with hot baths or facials. Before the pandemic and subsequent stream of lockdowns, my go-to DIY mental health treatment revolved around a predictable and reliable routine that meant spending at least some time in public and with friends to help balance me out.
Since March 13th, 2020, I’ve been trapped in a new reality that has meant giving up the safety and comfort of the routine I had come to depend on. Gone was my ability to leave my house, which rushed in a new era of heightened anxiety. And since I am one of the millions of Americans who cannot afford therapy, I often find myself turning to Google for ideas about how to calm my heart…
