Revista Latinoamericana de Psicopatologia Fundamental ()

Can horror movies induce PTSD-like syndrome?

  • Alexandre Xavier Gomes de Araújo,
  • Mariana Pires Luz,
  • William Berger,
  • Luiz Felipe Pagotto,
  • Ivan Figueira,
  • Mauro V. Mendlowicz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1415-4714.2019v22n2p360.11
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 2
pp. 360 – 375

Abstract

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We reported a case of a 10-year-old girl who developed a PTSD-like syndrome after watching a horror movie. After 6 years, the now 16-year-old patient still fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, except for the trauma itself. We reviewed the scientific literature for case reports of PTSD-like syndrome induced by horror movies and found 13 cases. In only two was the presence of the DSM criteria confirmed. Watching horror movies may thus trigger PTSD-like syndromes in vulnerable viewers

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