Do you enjoy watching horror movies?

It would seem that many HSPs would be quick to answer 'no' to that question. They steer clear. That's fine. I completely understand.

But I thought it probably time to come clean myself and admit to you that I've always been a bit partial to the horror genre. Well, to certain areas of it at least.

In this week's episode I let you in on those aspects of horror movies that I particularly enjoy. I also share why recently I've found them more difficult to watch...to the point where it took me 5 separate sittings to get through the whole of The Babadook.

Elaine Aron asks as one of her pre-cursory questions to the self-test for highly sensitive people: "Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?"

This appears to be a widely shared experience for many HSPs due to the affect seeing violence can have on us. People have spoken of never being able to forget certain scenes from violent films that they wish they had not watched.

As a society we're rapidly becoming decensitised to violence. It is used more liberally in entertainment where in the past it may have been alluded to or left to the viewer's imagination. In the show I talk about the growing and potential impact of this. I also discuss the differences between the way films use violence and why distinguishing between them is important.

The past twenty years or so has seen the rise of ultra-violent movies in the mainstream. Films that lack the subtlety and craft of suspense that makes classic horror work so well. Movies created to have little if any message beneath the surface. It's frustrating to see because what I love about horror, thrillers and other types of film designed to make you experience a sense of fear or fright, is that they ask important questions and ironically often carry a message of hope for change and a brighter future.

If you're little partial to a horror or thriller film but can't stand senseless scenes of violence, don't worry. There are many films that cater to that. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!