Horror films and TV shows long-term effects

While short-term effects of horror movies or other films and television programs are well documented disturbing content in children and adolescents, a study by researchers Kristen Harrison, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Joanne Cantor, University of Wisconsin, Madison, shows that long-term effects can persist into adulthood. They found that 90% of participants (more than 150 college students in Michigan and Wisconsin) reported a fear reaction media since childhood or adolescence. Moreover, about 26% still experience a "residual anxiety."

"These effects were more serious jitters slam or the need to use a night light. Iban from the inability to sleep through the night for months after exposure to constant and permanent avoidance of the situations portrayed in the shows and movies "Harrison says. The duration of effects ranging from less than a week (about 33% sample) over a year (about 36%).


A wide range of symptoms were reported, including crying or screaming (27%), tremor or agitation (24%), nausea or stomach pain (20%), clinging to a partner (18%), increased heart rate (18 %), freezing or a feeling of paralysis (17%), and the fear of losing control (11%), sweating and chills or fever, fear of dying, shortness of breath, a feeling of unreality, dizziness or fainting, and numbness (less than 10%).