Our fears—mortality, failure, loneliness—can be just as motivating as our wishes or desires. Brian A. Sharpless explores the real-life psychological disorders behind famous horror movies, revealing how these characters uniquely reveal all of these to a wide audience.
From vampires and Renfield's syndrome to clinical lycanthropy and werewolves, Monsters on the Couch juxtaposes accounts of clinical syndromes every bit as dramatic as those on the silver screen with fascinating forays into the science and folklore behind our favorite movie monsters. You'll discover:
- How Hollywood often gets it wrong when tackling complex topics
- The real-life disorders that inspired your favorite horror films
- The surprising ways that horror movies can help us better understand ourselves
For horror fans and psychology students alike, Monsters on the Couch offers a thrilling and insightful journey into the darkest corners of the human mind. Brian A. Sharpless is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor specializing in unusual and rare psychological disorders.