Psychologist warns relaxing by watching true crime is a major red flag
True crime is often seen as a form of escapism, one which has seen many of us binge-watching popular Netflix shows like Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Making a Murderer and The Tinder Swindler. It's human nature to be inquisitive, and the genre lets people get a glimpse into the mind of a real person who has committed a crime. But although you may find shows like these interesting, it turns out if you're watching them to relax, it's a serious red flag.
A psychologist has warned that if your idea of the perfect evening is cosying up on the sofa with a blanket, having a cup of tea and watching some violent or gritty show before bed, it could say something about how you process trauma.
Watching serial killer series like The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is apparently a red flag (Netflix)Mental health specialist Dr 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. 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."
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".
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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."
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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