Horror Hollywood Trauma

Hey there, in this episode, I’m answering a great little question from one of my clients: “Can you actually be traumatised by a horror movie?”

Spoiler alert — yes, you can. And I share my own (slightly mortifying) horror movie trauma story from when I was 14 and watched The Exorcist at a sleepover. It stuck with me for decades… literally. But this episode goes deeper than jump scares and creepy scenes — we explore how horror movies, like real-life traumas, can lodge themselves into our nervous systems. And how EMDR — and the power of imagination — can help shift even the stuff that doesn’t technically “happen to us.”

Whether you’ve had a horror movie moment, lived through someone else’s trauma story, or are curious about how EMDR works with imagined and vicarious trauma — this one’s for you.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Trauma doesn’t have to come from “real life” — imagined or second-hand experiences (like horror movies or others’ traumatic stories) can leave a lasting impact

• The brain doesn’t always know the difference between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined — and that’s where EMDR can help

• Our imagination can retraumatise… but it can also heal

• Intergenerational and vicarious trauma are real — and EMDR can support those experiences too

• Even birth trauma can show up like a horror movie in our nervous system — whether we lived it or just heard it

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Caroline shares a personal story of horror movie trauma (and how long it stayed with her!)

• Why certain life stages (like adolescence or stressful times) make us more vulnerable to trauma

• How imagination-based techniques in EMDR help “rewrite” traumatic scenes

• The impact of intergenerational trauma and vicarious trauma — even when the event wasn’t ours

• Why horror movie-like stories around birth can be traumatising for women

• Upcoming webinar on EMDR and birth trauma in partnership with Moms Matter Psychology

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal
• Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma

Contact and Feedback:

• Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au.
• Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations.

Subscribe & Stay Connected:

• Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights.
• Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop with expert chats, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways for your healing journey.

Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support.