Gameplaying horror genres provided me with the courage to confront my genuine life apprehensions
In an unexpected turn of events, a player's life was forever changed by a demo for the horror shooter game F.E.A.R. The author, who initially shied away from horror due to a deep-rooted fear of change, found themselves drawn into a world of simulated threats that would ultimately help them conquer their anxiety and embrace the unknown.
As a child, even tame horror media was a source of fear for the author. Trailers for movies like The Tooth Fairy were enough to send chills down their spine. This fear extended to everyday activities, such as venturing down to the basement during the day. This fear of the unfamiliar was further exacerbated by their parents' divorce and the start of high school, which left them feeling isolated and reluctant to try new things.
The demo of F.E.A.R., featuring a vertical slice of an early mission set in dark and shadowy industrial parks, was a daunting prospect. The game's startling lighting and sound effects left the author feeling unnerved, and they found themselves needing to take breaks twice during the demo to collect themselves. However, the author was challenged by the fear of the game and felt a strange sense of intrigue.
The author soon discovered that the fear of horror was not as terrifying as the fear of change. By facing their fears in a controlled environment, they were able to practice coping mechanisms and build emotional resilience. This simulated threat mastery, as explained by the threat simulation theory, allowed the author to navigate fearful experiences with greater ease and adaptive emotional mastery.
Research suggests that recreational fear, such as playing horror games, engages brain areas involved in fear extinction and emotion regulation, notably the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). This heightened activation during controlled fearful experiences may improve a person's ability to regulate emotions and counteract negative affective states, potentially facilitating better management of fears related to change.
Horror media presents fear in a safe and controlled context, allowing individuals to voluntarily face anxiety-provoking stimuli. This controlled exposure can diminish fear responses over time, parallel to therapeutic exposure techniques used in psychology. Furthermore, psychological horror forces individuals to confront irrational and unknown fears, which may parallel the uncertainty inherent in change. Engaging with such horror can foster empathy and a deeper understanding of complex emotions, possibly helping individuals to better accept and adapt to changes in their own lives.
The author found that playing horror games helped them apply the same thinking to pushing out of their comfort zone in other areas of life. They no longer felt trapped by their routine-oriented nature and knew they could deal with discomfort. The author eventually rented and purchased the full game, and started to explore more horror games and films. The demos on the Xbox 360, which were invaluable for a kid with limited access to new games, opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
In conclusion, horror media and games act as a form of simulated threat exposure that allows individuals to face fear in a manageable way. This can build emotional resilience, enhance fear regulation abilities, and reduce anxiety related to uncertainty and change by familiarizing the mind with confronting and overcoming fear-inducing situations without real danger. For the author, F.E.A.R. was more than just a game; it was a personal breakthrough that helped them conquer their fear of change and embrace the unknown.
**References:**
- Recreational Fear Lab study on horror media and threat simulation theory[1] - Neural and psychological mechanisms in recreational fear experiences and emotion regulation[3] - Psychological impact and engagement in psychological horror media[2]
The author's newfound interest in horror games expanded beyond gaming, influencing their home-and-garden lifestyle. They began decorating their spaces to incorporate elements of horror aesthetics, creating an eerie, yet comforting atmosphere that reflected their personal growth.
Inspired by the unfamiliar experiences they encountered in horror games, the author started embracing change in other aspects of their lifestyle. They no longer shied away from trying new activities or adopting unconventional routines, embodying the essence of a lifestyle that thrives on embracing the unknown.
