I saw a really scary movie and now i'm a wreck. What do I do?

Question

I absolutly hate scary movies and usually don't watch them. My cousin convinced me to watch the Skeleton Key at a little sleepover we had and said it was just a thriller and not scary in the least bit. I believed her, but the movie terrified me! I'm a total wreck. I can't sleep, and terrified of the night, am becoming depressed in the evening (because I dread the night), can't look at mirrors, and so much more. I tried watching two of the scariest movies i've ever seen (Wedding Crashers and Just Friends), but it didni't work. I tried watching little kid movies, romantic movies, sad movies, everything. It works temporarily, but once the movie's over i'm back to scared.
I'm miserable. What do I do?

Answer 1

Pray.

Get out a Bible.

Works for me everytime, and I sleep better knowing that He sends angels to guard my doors when I am afraid.

=) Sweet dreams, chica.

Answer 2

Try to remember that what you saw was a fabricated story, complete with special effects put together by technicians and a story-line put together by writers along with a lot of other fancy camera and lighting and sound efforts all in the name of making money from consumers. An orchestrated optical illusion, in other words. A load of garbage packaged as a film all for the sake of making money off of anyone willing to buy the film.

Now, why not shift your focus to reading about real and pleasant things, like maybe a book about travelling in the South Pacific Islands. Notice I mention reading: the effort to read will help divert your attention. Also, you might consider buying an aquarium DVD (Amazon sells these)--basically a recording of fish swimming about with either soothing music or the sound of aquarium bubbles. Why do you suppose many doctors offices have aquariums? Because aquariums tend to have a calming effect on people.

Finally, if you are of any particular religious faith, I strongly recommend talking to a religious leader about the film and what bothered you about it. A good religious leader should help point out that there is good in this world, and that evil does not have a complete hold over everything.

If you prefer a purely secular approach, you could see a psychologist, or even a psychiatrist, either of whom can point out how the brain and mind work, and how the mind runs on inputs to the brain, and how if the inputs are false or otherwise distorted, that your mind might be perceiving a false sense of reality.

Hang in there! That dumb film will become nothing more than a stupid small speck in the existence of your lifetime.

Answer 3

According to the reading I have done regarding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the brain, when it senses that blood sugar is low, will do sometimes strange things to get the blood sugar (glucose) out of storage and into the blood stream. Adrenaline is one sure way to do this. If the movie caused you to get into "a fight or flight" state, that releases adrenaline. As you now can't get over the fears, then low blood sugar may be the cause.

Suggestion? Go to the kitchen and get some protein, meat, a can of tuna or whatever, and eat it. Also have some carbohydrate, like a handful of chips, an apple, or some carrots/celery, and also some peanuts or peanut butter. Eat at least 2 ounces of the protein. Then drink a glass of water and do something that makes you think about something else than your fears for 30 minutes - singing, exercising, answering Yahoo!Answer questions, videogames, whatever. You may find this has helped your fear to lessen a bit.

Chronic low blood sugar can also be the cause of depression, self-esteem problems, anger management problems and a whole bunch of other physical and mental nasties. You may want to check out the symptoms link on www.hufa.org, and see how you check out.

Answer 4

Better yet read a good romantic novel.Start reading good and kind things, kids books and comics. Just think it is a movie and nothing else behind it. But I know what you going thru because I hate scary movies too. Don't let people talk you in to see scary movies if you don't like them. Do some praying when you get scared of get the horrible feeling again.

Answer 5

What you need to do is KEEP THE TV ON ALL NIGHT while you're asleep. Make sure it's a funny movie with NOTHING scary. Turn the volume down low enough so you can sleep, but not so loud that it disturbs you tremendously. You don't want to sleep in the dark or in silence because that just begs all the scary thoughts to creep into your head. Good luck and stay away from the scary movies!

Answer 6

aww, hey, it's ok. people have different tolerances for scary movies, you don't need to feel bad about being so sensetive. i've seen the skeleton key too, and i can see how it could really scare you. but think about this... the movies that usually terrify me even after they're over are the ones where the situation in the movie could actually happen to me. in the skeleton key, the situation was very fantasy-based, and could not ever happen to you in real life! you don't need to fear for your safety. i saw the movie as a really beautiful representation of new orleans as it was before the hurricane, and will probably never be again. anyway, best of luck to you, i know you will be ok.

Answer 7

I'll admit this too - after watching the Skeleton Key, I didn't want to look into mirrors either! You need to remind yourself that it's only a movie - not something that is going to happen in real life. Whenever I get scared and I'm home alone, I turn on the radio or TV, or crate my dog around with me everywhere. :) Then I feel as if I'm not alone. Try sleeping with a night light (I know, little kiddish... but it might help) or turn your TV on when you go to bed. Good luck! :)

Answer 8

Movies are just movies. They are fiction. Instead of watching more movies, try to do something else: exercise, go for a walk, walk the dog, do some chores around the house, go to the beach, read a nice book, call somebody and the phone and gossip a little, etc

If you really want to get scared watch the evening News.

Answer 9

Try to remember that movies are Hollywood hype and keep in mind that those movies are a lot of special effects. Those things do not happen in the real world, they just dont.
If that doesnt do it for you then do the same thing my kids do when they are scared...come sleep in my room/bed. Hahaha.
Seriously though, try a nite light or turning the mirrors around in your room, or taking them out all together. Good luck. Write me back if you want to talk about it more...

Answer 10

Wedding crahers isn't scary! lol
U need 2 tell urself that its NOT real!
I'm terrified of horror movies but if i get scared, I always pray 2 Jesus (I'm a Christian)
when im scared and it REALLY helps.
Plus just don't look at the movies!
I'm scared of the Gingerbreadman now. lol U don't want 2 know.
But really if a commercial comes on just turn the channel or close ur eyes and plug ur ears till it's over.
The commercials don't bother me anymore cuz i've learned 2 tell myself that its not real!
Just remember its not real!!!!
I'll pray 4 u! Good luck. :*)

Answer 11

Keep telling yourself that it was just a movie. The things that happened in The Skeleton Key weren't real. People cannot take over other people's bodies through hoodoo, witchcraft, or anything else. It was just a movie. It was not real. And it cannot happen in real life. Try reading a funny book or romance novel in bed until you fall asleep. It will keep your mind on something else.