Facing Fear: Why We Lean Into It During Halloween
October invites us to play with fear in a way no other season does. Haunted houses, ghost stories, and horror movies become cultural rituals. Children and adults alike seek out the thrill of a scare, while many of us live with very real fears that don’t feel fun at all. So why do we experience fear? Why do we sometimes want to? And when does fear cross the line from shaping us into something more substantial to overwhelming us?
What Is Fear?
Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. At its core, it’s the body’s built-in alarm system, part of the “fight-or-flight” response that helps us survive danger. When your brain detects a threat, the amygdala responds by releasing stress hormones that quicken your heartbeat and sharpen your senses (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). Fear is not just “in your head”; it’s in your nervous system, preparing you to act.
Is Fear All in the Mind?
The saying “fear is only in your mind” is partly true. While the initial reaction stems from automatic brain processes, our perception of fear—the meaning we assign to it—is shaped by thoughts, experiences, and culture. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) research indicates that modifying our interpretation of situations can help reduce unnecessary fear and anxiety (Hofmann et al., 2012). In other words, you may not control the first jolt of fear, but you can reframe how you live with it.
Why We Seek Out Fear Around Halloween
Strangely, people often choose fear in safe settings. Haunted houses and scary movies give us an adrenaline rush without the actual danger. Psychologists call this “benign masochism,” the enjoyment of negative experiences when we know they aren’t truly harmful (Rozin et al., 2013). Seeking out fear in this playful way can actually help us feel more alive, more bonded with others, and more in control of our emotions.
What Fear Does to Us
Fear can shape us in powerful ways. It sharpens focus, teaches caution, and builds resilience. Facing small, controlled fears, like stepping into the darkness of a haunted maze, can remind us that we’re capable of handling the unknown. At its best, fear helps us grow braver.
When Fear Is Too Much
Of course, fear isn’t always helpful. Chronic fear and anxiety can wear down the body and mind, leading to health issues like insomnia, depression, and weakened immunity (American Psychological Association, 2021). When fear begins to dominate your daily life, keeping you from sleeping, connecting with others, or doing the things you value, it may be time to reach out for professional support.
Conclusion
Halloween gives us the chance to laugh at fear, to dress it up in costumes and pumpkins, and to make it something we can enjoy together. But beneath the jump scares and horror films, fear remains a profoundly human teacher. Learning when to embrace it and when to seek help is part of building a healthier relationship with ourselves.
If you struggle with fear and anxiety, please reach out to a counselor or friend. At Artist Eye Counseling, we help you to understand your fears and allow you to see things differently.
Sources
Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). The roots of fear.
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427–440.
Rozin, P., Guillot, L., Fincher, K., Rozin, A., & Tsukayama, E. (2013). Glad to be sad, and other examples of benign masochism. Judgment and Decision Making, 8(4), 439–447.
American Psychological Association. (2021). Stress effects on the body.