How Scary IS Halloween?

Payton Conklin

Undergraduate Student, Stockton University

@GrowingMindsetTherapy

Halloween is unlike any other traditional holiday celebrated in the United States. Most holidays are surrounded by family and loved ones, with most stemming from religious importance. The air is filled with comfort, love, and family despite what time of the year it is.

This is precisely why Halloween is like no other. Rather than comfort, love, and family, Halloween focuses on our fears and anxieties. 

Do you find yourself tossing and turning more often during this holiday season? Maybe you find yourself watching more horror or thriller movies? Maybe you get worried about the ideas of trick-or-treating or dressing up as these horrifying creatures? Regardless, it makes complete sense as to why Halloween can be a difficult time for some individuals, and it's important that we acknowledge their concerns and do what we can to make this spooky season the least spooky for them.

Why might Halloween be extra scary for certain people?

Imagine this: You recently just had an intense stalking situation occur over the summer/early fall. Unfortunately, the stalking was so intense that you did not feel safe in your home because your stalker had approached your door several times and stayed parked outside your house. You had to involve the police to file a restraining order against the stalker, and all you know is that that stalker is out there, livid he can no longer be around you.

With this scenario in mind, imagine how Halloween could be a difficult time for that individual. Every time they hear a knock at the door, or the ring of their doorbell, they could be triggered back to that stalker. Every time they see a car outside or hear anyone approach their house, that individual could be crippled in fear. Even just seeing a trick-or-treater dressed up in all black pretending to be a spy could remind the victim of how her stalker used to dress outside their home. With all of these in mind, it is easy to see how Halloween could trigger an individual in this sort of scenario.

But what about individuals who don’t have any traumatic event that would be triggered through the activities of Halloween? Is there a possibility that other people could be victims of the Halloween anxiety?

The short answer is… OF COURSE! Any individual who suffers from overwhelming stress and/or anxiety could be negatively affected by this holiday. Think about it, if you find yourself suffering from anxiety on any average day, why would Halloween be extra anxiety-inducing? Most Halloween movies involve murder, stalking, or assault on the holiday of Halloween. So, if you were to be anxious about those events happening to you, it makes complete sense as to why Halloween triggers anxiety in you more so than other holidays.

What can we do to help?

It may feel difficult to think of how we can help these individuals on a holiday that we may blindly think is fun and that everyone enjoys. It can be difficult to get out of our own heads and experiences to understand why something we believe to be so fun and exciting can be fearful and dreadful to others. But, to provide comfort and support, it is important to try.

Some easy things we can do to support individuals who are going through this difficult time are:

If you are trick-or-treating…

• You see someone's porch light is off with no candy, don’t knock or ring the doorbell despite the lights inside the house being on

• Don’t approach a house that seems as though they don’t want trick-or-treaters

If you know someone who has Halloween anxiety…

• Spend some time with them during the holiday and be their support

• Avoid watching horror movies or anything that may trigger their anxiety

• If anyone approaches the door, handle the trick-or-treaters without your friend

Needless to say, it is super important to acknowledge that although this may be a fun holiday, it can be the opposite for others. If we acknowledge that fact, we can then adapt to make everyone feel more comfortable this spooky season. If you find yourself struggling with anxious thoughts, especially during this holiday season, you are not alone. Contact Growing Mindset Therapy for more information and support.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to treat, or diagnose and medical conditions, nor is it a replacement for mental health or medical treatment. Many individuals require lifelong support, and this article is written for those who are seeking episodic support, and not intended to discredit the experiences of those needing longe term care. If you or someone you know is in need of clinical support, our team is able to provide therapy services to those in NJ and FL. Contact us to learn more. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate support please contact emergency services. U.S. Mental health crisis line: dial 988 ; medical emergency dial 911