The Dark Side of True Crime: Mental Health Impacts on Creators, Consumers, and Victims/ Survivors of Crime and their Families.
- jessiebuttafuoco
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
By Jessie Buttafuoco
True crime has always had a place in media, however, over the last few decades or so, the genre has become a cultural phenomenon, with countless documentaries, podcasts, and social media channels dedicated to exploring real-life cases of violence and tragedy. According to the True Crime Consumer Report by Edison Research and audiochuck, as of 2024, 84% of the U.S. population aged 13 and over—approximately 230 million people—consume true crime content across various platforms, including television, podcasts, social media, and streaming services. As of 2024, there are over 23,000 true crime podcasts available, making it one of the top three podcast genres in the United States. The immense popularity and production of true crime media have raised concerns about its impact on mental health. Content creators often delve into harrowing details of crimes, which can lead to secondary traumatic stress or vicarious trauma. Consumers, especially those who binge-watch or listen, may experience heightened anxiety, fear, and a distorted perception of safety. Moreover, victims/survivors of crime and their families can be re-traumatized and negatively impacted by the repeated public exposure of their personal tragedies. These psychological effects highlight the need for responsible content creation and consumption practices within the true crime genre.
For those who create this content, they often immerse themselves in disturbing, graphic material for extended periods of time. Repeated exposure to trauma-related narratives can lead to symptoms resembling secondary traumatic stress or vicarious trauma—conditions often experienced by therapists or first responders. Many creators report disrupted sleep, chronic anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. The constant demand to produce content also adds pressure to sensationalize or deconstruct violence in a way that can erode boundaries and personal well-being. Over time, the emotional burden can become overwhelming, leading some creators to withdraw, experience burnout, or rely on maladaptive coping strategies like substance use or emotional detachment.
Consumers of true crime are not immune to its psychological effects. While some turn to these stories for entertainment, education, or a sense of control, heavy or obsessive consumption can have unintended mental health consequences. Studies suggest that frequent exposure to violent content increases baseline stress levels, often manifesting as hyper-vigilance, difficulty sleeping, or a distorted sense of personal safety. Viewers may begin to see the world as more dangerous than it actually is—a cognitive bias known as "mean world syndrome." In response, some may develop anxious behaviors such as excessive checking of locks, avoidance of social situations, or even panic attacks. Hyperfocus on crime, fear, and safety can lead to controlling behaviors, such as overprotectiveness in parenting or mistrust in romantic partnerships. To manage this stress, some turn to maladaptive coping strategies like alcohol use, gambling, erroneous sex, excessive shopping, over/under eating, compulsive media consumption, isolation, or emotional withdrawal- all things that can further damage one’s mental health.
Perhaps the most profound and often overlooked impact of true crime media is on the victims/survivors of crime and their families. As the daughter of one of the most prolific true crime couples of the 90’s and 2000’s, every fabric of my being has been impacted and influenced by true crime media and exploitation. The retelling of traumatic events on camera without proper mental health support from a mental health professional can reopen emotional wounds and prolong suffering. Seeing a loved one's crime dissected for entertainment can be re-traumatizing and dehumanizing, especially when the focus is on the perpetrator or sensational details rather than the victim/survivors’s life and humanity. When stories are told without consent, we lose our sense of agency and control over our narrative. When we become public figures, our ability to participate in society changes. Families may experience renewed feelings of helplessness, anger, and sorrow, with some reporting symptoms of PTSD triggered by the sudden resurgence of public attention. When our stories are commercialized or misrepresented, it can compound a sense of exploitation and deep mistrust in media platforms. This carries over into our everyday lives, impacting our identity formation, our interpersonal relationships, and our role in society.
As a therapist and media psychologist currently working on my PhD, focusing my research on the psychological impact of true crime media on victims/survivors of crime and their families, I am deeply committed to transforming the true crime genre into one that prioritizes ethical storytelling and psychological safety. Recognizing the mental health risks associated with both the creation and consumption of true crime content is essential to integrating trauma-informed practices into every stage of production. Mental health coordination should be a standard component of true crime media, ensuring that all participants, including victims, survivors, families, and even content creators, are offered mental health support both during and after the filming process. This isn’t just a compassionate approach; it’s a necessary one, given the emotional weight and real-life consequences of revisiting traumatic events for public consumption.
Through Mental Health Media Services, I provide direct support, consultation, and trauma-informed training to true crime producers and content creators, helping them design content that is not only compelling but also ethically and psychologically responsible. This includes developing protocols for informed consent, emotional debriefings, access to counseling resources, and strategies for avoiding re-traumatization. As a therapist, I also offer 1 on 1 support for victims/survivors of crime who have been the subject of and/or participated in true crime media during the filming process, and/or after the show has wrapped or aired.
Ultimately, my goal is to help reshape true crime into a genre that not only informs and captivates, but also protects and uplifts the very people whose real-life experiences make it possible. My mission is to advocate for those whose stories are being told, ensuring they are treated with respect, care, and dignity, and that their mental health is not collateral damage in the pursuit of entertainment. With intentional collaboration between mental health professionals and content creators, true crime can evolve into a space that educates without exploiting, reveals without re-traumatizing, and honors the humanity of all involved. Recognizing its mental health impacts is the first step toward more ethical storytelling, consumption, and support for those whose real lives are caught in the crossfire.
Check out more of Jessie’s life and work here!
Comentários