19 June 2023 , 12:50
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True crime shows have become hugely popular in recent years, with many of us binge-watching popular Netflix series such as Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Making a Murderer.
And while that genre can be interesting, one psychologist has claimed that if you watch violet or gritty media to unwind and help you drift off to sleep, then it could be a red flag about the way you process trauma.
Doctor Thema Bryant explained that treating true crime shows as a way to relax before bed could mean that the trauma portrayed in the series is "familiar" to you - and could even be a sign that you need counselling.
Watching true crime to relax could be a red flag (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Speaking to Mel Robbins on The Mel Robbins Podcast, 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?'
"That's what it is. Harm, crime, violation, attacks, and that's what is going to soothe me into my bedtime."
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Podcast host Mel then asked Dr Bryant what people tell her about their connection with true crime when they go to her for therapy, and the psychologist explained that many of us find it "normal and familiar".
She added: "Some of us grew up in high-stress [situations], so people mistake peace for boring. And it's like, to come home to yourself you have to lean into the discomfort because it's gonna feel unfamiliar."
Watching serial killer series like The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is apparently a red flag (SER BAFFO/NETFLIX)A clip of the podcast was posted on the @melrobbins TikTok account, where commenters were quick to share the reasons they watch true crime shows.
One person wrote: "The trauma isn't relaxing to me - it's the justice the characters or real people often get that I never did in my own life."
While another said: "It distracts me from the pain I'm feeling in my life. I don't like it, it just redirects my anger."
And a third added: "For me, it's solving the crime/puzzle, solving the problem."
Other commenters agreed with Dr Bryant though, as they said that ever since they began going to therapy and healing from their trauma, they've lost interest in true crime shows.
Someone posted: "Damn. This really hits home. I used to watch so much chaos on TV, but after working hard on myself for the past two years I just can't anymore."
As someone else commented: "Ok this is really an eye-opener. I used to love true crime and now that I've been healing for over a year, it isn't even interesting to me."
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