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Halloween Psychology

By: Eric Crosswhite
Updated: October 31, 2012
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JOPLIN, MO.---  "Some of the little ones may come out giggling, thinking it was a great time and you have 18 year old girls who are screaming and crying half way through who have to be escorted out," states Beck Gooch, Strangler's Grove.

According to mental health experts, the difference lies with how people handle anxiety. Some thrill seekers can't get enough. 

"They have such a high need for adrenaline. They have such a high need for anxiety because they don't have it in other parts of their lives," states Dale Camp, Mental Health Expert, Ozark Center.

However, those who have experienced serious trauma in their lives are usually more sensitive to horrific situations, real or fake. 

"It usually results in obtrusive memories. It might result in them being unable to sleep. They may enjoy it in the moment but they've learned it costs them down the road," states Camp.

Counselors say most of the fun comes from knowing there are real and semi normal people behind the masks. 

"That's why we go to scary movies, that's why we go to spook houses because as much as we might be frightened, we know we're going to be safe. Exploring that feeling in a safe way," states Camp.

They also advise parents take serious consideration of their child's maturity level before letting them into a spook house or scary movie. 

"Even though they may cognitively know that it is not damaging or real, emotionally it still takes a toll on that child as though it were really happening," states Camp.

Spook trail actors at Strangler's Grove in Joplin make an extra effort to keep their show age appropriate for each customer. 

"The dialogue we have them hearing with their friend before they get to a group, bases what the dialogue is. So, if you have little ones it is usually a bit easier of a show," states Gooch.

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