I am always scared to death after I finish watching a horror movie

 v Hi, it’s Jenny at AnxietyBoss.com. Our question today is from David in Santa Clara, California. My wife loves to watch scary horror movies and I really want to watch with her; however, I am always scared to death after I finish watching a horror movie. But my wife loves it and she keeps insisting that I watch with her and I’m running out of excuses to tell her that I get scared at night. I know it’s funny and I’m a scaredy cat, but that’s the situation. Can you please help?

Well, why make excuses? We all have specific situations which make us uncomfortable. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Why not speak to her about your discomfort? Yes. You may be ridiculed. That’s the risk we take when we’re honest with the people that we’re close to.

Do you have a steady viewing diet of horror movies? Another option is to trade off with her. What are your favorite movies? One night watch your favorites, and then another night endure one of her movies.

Another consideration. Anxious people tend to be more easily affected by media input, for example, tragic news stories, violence, trauma, and horror movies. This could be a symptom of an underlying issue with anxiety, and it may be time to talk to a professional if anxiety is pervasive in other areas of your life and it’s interfering with your ability to function or to be happy.