Fears and Phobias
This is the fear of spiders — appropriate for Halloween decor!
What is arachnophobia?
This part of the brain is often called the “fear center.”
What is the amygdala?
Seeing a shadow and mistaking it for a ghost is an example of this kind of perception error.
What is an illusion?
This psychoanalyst inspired the “Freudian slip” and would have had a field day with horror symbolism.
Who is Sigmund Freud?
A “safe exposure” activity might involve facing this common Halloween fear step by step.
What is exposure therapy?
The fear of darkness, common in both kids and horror movies
What is nyctophobia?
The chemical released in “fight or flight” situations — and during scary movie jump scares.
What is adrenaline (epinephrine)?
When your brain fills in missing information to create a “ghostly figure” that isn’t there.
What is pareidolia?
This 1960 Hitchcock movie features a motel owner with “mommy issues.”
What is Psycho?
This therapy technique could help you “reframe” your thoughts after a jump scare.
What is cognitive restructuring (CBT)?
This fear of clowns might make a trip to the circus—or a horror movie—terrifying.
What is coulrophobia?
The “pleasure chemical” that might spike when you eat Halloween candy.
What is dopamine?
This psychological phenomenon explains why scary movies are more fun when watched with others.
What is social contagion (or emotional contagion)?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde represent this psychological concept of the divided self.
What is the id and superego conflict (or dual personality)?
When someone repeatedly checks their doors after hearing scary news, it could relate to this disorder.
What is OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)?
If haunted houses make your heart race, you might have this fear of ghosts.
What is phasmophobia?
This part of the brain processes memories—sometimes turning fear into long-term anxiety.
What is the hippocampus?
A persistent, false belief in the supernatural might be categorized as this in clinical psychology.
What is a delusion?
This 1973 film about demonic possession led to a cultural fascination with exorcism and mental illness.
What is The Exorcist?
This approach focuses on mindfulness and accepting fear without judgment — even when the fear is irrational.
What is ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)?
The fear of Halloween itself has this fittingly spooky name.
What is samhainophobia?
The name of the body’s stress-response system, often triggered by perceived threats.
What is the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)?
When your brain tricks you into thinking your body is changing shape or size — as in a nightmare.
What is a body schema distortion?
This modern-day serial killer show is named after a psychological disorder involving a lack of empathy and remorse.
What is Dexter (psychopathy)?
This therapy tool might help someone draw or paint their fears instead of running from them.
What is art therapy? 🎨