A psychologist is warning people that it’s a major red flag if you find true crime stories relaxing.
If you scroll through the Netflix library, you’ll find a ton of dark and disturbing documentaries that explore real-life, horrific crimes.
For instance, there’s the three-part series about the ‘real-life Gone Girl‘, which explores one couple’s harrowing experience with a home invader.
And there’s Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, which follows a spiritual leader who creates a system of abuse and coercion.
While these shows may be among Netflix’s most-watched, a psychologist has warned that it’s a major red flag if you enjoy watching true crime.
However, not everyone agrees with the expert’s perspective.
“The trauma itself isn’t relaxing to me—it’s the justice the characters or real people get that I never did in my own life,” one person shares.
Another adds, “I’m not here for the trauma. I just enjoy seeing the bad guy get caught or the mystery being solved.”
Someone else comments, “I’ve been watching and reading true crime for 40 years and have never crossed the line. It’s just a harmless fascination.”
A fourth agrees, writing, “Some of us simply enjoy exploring the darker side of life. For me, it makes us more aware of the world’s dangers—just in case we ever face them ourselves.”
Yet, for others, the expert’s words hit a little too close to home.
“Wow! This makes so much sense,” one person admits.
Another reflects, “It still surprises me that some people find peace boring. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand that.”
A third adds, “That’s exactly why I watch true crime to relax. This was really eye-opening.”
And one person makes a deeply personal confession: “Wow, I never thought about it like this. When my mom was dying, I watched real-life crime to calm myself.”
Speaking on The Mel Robbins Podcast, psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant explored ways people can heal and reconnect with themselves after experiencing hardship.
During the episode, she suggested that those who gravitate toward violent media might do so because the trauma feels familiar.
“If your idea of relaxing before bed is watching three episodes of Law & Order, I’d encourage you to ask yourself, ‘Why is trauma relaxing to me?’” she said.
Dr. Bryant explained that many people grow up in high-stress environments, leading them to associate peace with boredom.
“To truly reconnect with yourself, you have to lean into the discomfort—it’s going to feel unfamiliar at first,” she noted.
She encouraged listeners to challenge this pattern: “It might be time to reprogram your nervous system. Peace may feel strange or even dull, but you are worth it.”
