Savvy Psychologist

Fear factor: Exploring common phobias through horror films

Episode Summary

In this Halloween-themed episode, Monica dives into 10 of the most common fears and recommends a horror or thriller movie that brings each fear to life on the big screen. From the fear of heights in Vertigo to the fear of failure in Black Swan, this episode explores how our deepest anxieties are reflected in cinema. Can horror movies help us confront our fears?

Episode Notes

Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. A transcript is available at Simplecast.

Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.

Links:

https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologist

https://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologist

https://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych

https://www.kindmindpsych.com/

Episode Transcription

Something you may or may not know about me–I am a lover of horror, so Halloween is a fun time for me. In honor of that, today I thought I would discuss 10 of the most popular fears that people have and give you a film recommendation that relates to the topic. The last one will likely surprise you!

Welcome back to Savvy Psychologist, I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show, I'll help you face life's challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

The top 10 common fears that people typically experience often relate to threats that could harm their physical, emotional, or social well-being. While these fears can vary by individual, here are some of the most common:

1. Fear of Heights (Acrophobia)

A strong fear of high places, such as tall buildings, bridges, or cliffs. People with acrophobia often experience dizziness or panic when looking down from a height.

Film: Vertigo (1958)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this psychological thriller explores acrophobia through the eyes of a detective who becomes obsessed with a woman while battling his fear of heights.

2. Fear of Public Speaking (Glossophobia)

One of the most common social fears, it involves intense anxiety about speaking in front of an audience. People often fear judgment, embarrassment, or making mistakes.

Film: The King's Speech (2010)

While not a traditional horror or thriller, this film explores the intense anxiety associated with public speaking as King George VI works to overcome his fear of speaking to the nation during wartime.

3. Fear of Spiders (Arachnophobia)

A specific phobia involving an extreme fear of spiders. Even harmless spiders can provoke anxiety or panic attacks in people with this phobia.

Film: Arachnophobia (1990)

This horror-comedy is centered around a deadly species of spider that invades a small town. It’s a perfect watch for anyone with a fear of these eight-legged creatures. Honorable mention from the early 2000s is Eight Legged Freaks which basically has the same premise.

4. Fear of Enclosed Spaces (Claustrophobia)

Fear of being in tight or confined spaces, such as elevators, tunnels, or small rooms. Claustrophobic individuals may avoid situations where they feel trapped or unable to escape.

Film: Buried (2010)

In this tense thriller, a man wakes up trapped in a coffin underground with only a cell phone and lighter. The entire film is set within this claustrophobic environment, amplifying the terror of being confined.

5. Fear of Flying (Aerophobia)

A fear of traveling by airplane. This fear can be triggered by the possibility of accidents, turbulence, or being in a confined space for an extended time.

Film: Red Eye (2005)

A thriller set almost entirely on a plane, this film heightens the fear of flying when a woman finds herself caught in a deadly plot during a routine flight.

6. Fear of Germs (Mysophobia)

Also known as germophobia, it is the fear of contamination or germs. People with this fear may obsessively wash their hands or avoid contact with surfaces they believe to be dirty.

Film: Contagion (2011)

This thriller focuses on the rapid spread of a deadly virus and the global panic that ensues. It taps into the fear of germs and contamination, as characters scramble to avoid infection.

7. Fear of Snakes (Ophidiophobia)

An intense fear of snakes, often stemming from a primal response to perceived danger. Even seeing pictures or videos of snakes can cause panic in some individuals.

Film: Snakes on a Plane (2006)

This action-thriller pits passengers against a plane full of venomous snakes, playing directly into the fear of ophidiophobia in an intense and high-stakes environment.

8. Fear of Death (Thanatophobia)

This is the fear of one's own death or the process of dying. Some people also experience anxiety about the death of loved ones.

Film: Final Destination (2000)

The premise of this horror series revolves around characters trying to cheat death after narrowly avoiding fatal accidents. The looming inevitability of death and how it catches up to them fuels the terror.

9. Fear of Darkness (Nyctophobia)

Often rooted in childhood, the fear of darkness persists for some into adulthood. It is linked to the fear of the unknown or unseen dangers that might lurk in the dark.

Film: Lights Out (2016)

A supernatural horror film where a malevolent entity can only appear in the dark, playing directly into the fear of what lurks in the shadows. It explores how darkness itself becomes the source of terror.

10. Fear of Failure (Atychiphobia)

A fear that can limit a person’s actions and ambitions. This fear stems from the worry of not meeting expectations, leading to embarrassment, disappointment, or shame.

Film: Black Swan (2010)

This psychological horror-thriller follows a ballet dancer who becomes consumed by the pressure to achieve perfection, with her fear of failure leading to a disturbing psychological unraveling.

These fears can vary in intensity from mild discomfort to full-blown phobias that significantly impact daily life. Watching horror films and other genres can sometimes act as an exposure because it’s seen as a controlled fear. In a horror movie, viewers know they are in a safe environment despite the on-screen terror. This allows them to experience the excitement and intensity of fear without any real danger. Or maybe this is just me trying to convert more people into horror movie lovers!

Are you watching any good horror or thriller films? Let me know! You can contact me via Instagram @kindmindpsych or via my email at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.

The Savvy Psychologist is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. It's audio engineered by Steve Riekeberg, with script editing by Brannan Goetschius. Our Podcast and Advertising Operations Specialist is Morgan Christiansen. Our Digital Operations Specialist is Holly Hutchings and Our Marketing and Publicity Associate is Davina Tomlin. Follow Savvy Psychologist on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's all for this episode of Savvy Psychologist. Thanks for listening! I'll see you next week.