What are the psychological reactions to super scary stories?

A common psychological reaction is fear. The unknown and often disturbing elements in horror stories trigger our primal fear instincts.

Well, many people react with excitement. It's like the adrenaline rush they get from being a bit scared. Some might start to imagine the events in the story happening to them, which can be both thrilling and a bit unnerving. Also, people could become more alert and observant right after hearing a scary story, as if they are on the lookout for something spooky in their own environment.

Bhd could have different reactions. He might first be in disbelief when hearing something very spooky in the story. As the story progresses and gets scarier, he could start to fidget or look around nervously. And if the story has a really terrifying ending, he might even gasp out loud or say something like 'Oh my god, that's so creepy!'.

Isolation is a common element. For example, in many stories, the protagonist is alone in a spooky place like an old house or a deserted forest. This isolation amplifies their fear as they have no one to turn to. Another element is the unknown. When something strange is happening and there's no explanation, it messes with the character's mind. Like in stories where people hear unexplained noises or see shadowy figures. The third common element is a sense of losing control. For instance, when a character's mind starts to play tricks on them or they can't trust their own senses, it creates a very scary psychological state.

Many will feel a sense of fear or unease. It could be due to the dark atmosphere and the unpredictable plot twists in these stories. Like in some animated stories where the main character is being chased by an unknown evil force in a haunted place. The whole situation makes the viewer feel on edge.

He might be really frightened and show obvious signs of shock, like jumping or gasping.

Well, 'Psycho' is a classic in the genre. Norman Bates' split personality and the infamous shower scene are staples of horror and psychological thriller. It delves deep into the disturbed mind of a killer. Then there's 'Misery', where the obsessed fan holds the writer captive. The psychological torture she inflicts on him and his attempts to escape are very nerve - wracking.

One impact is increased adrenaline. When we engage with scary games or horror stories, our body releases adrenaline in response to the perceived threat, which can make us feel more alert. Another impact is that it might affect our sleep. For some people, after experiencing these, they may have nightmares or find it difficult to fall asleep as their mind is still occupied with the scary elements.