Monsters on the Couch, Brian A. Sharpless
Monsters on the Couch, Brian A. Sharpless
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Monsters on the Couch
The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies

Author: Brian A. Sharpless

Narrator: Matt Godfrey

Unabridged: 9 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/17/2023


Synopsis

From psychologist, researcher, and horror film enthusiast Brian A. Sharpless comes Monsters on the Couch, an exploration into the real-life psychological disorders behind famous horror movies. Accounts of clinical syndromes every bit as dramatic as those on the silver screen are juxtaposed with fascinating forays into the science and folklore behind our favorite movie monsters.

Horror fans may be obsessed with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the human replacements from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but even many medical professionals may not know about the corresponding conditions of Renfield's syndrome, clinical lycanthropy, Cotard's syndrome, and Capgras syndrome.

Some of these disorders are surprisingly common in the general population. For instance, a number of people experience isolated sleep paralysis, a disorder implicated in ghost and alien abduction beliefs. Fascinations with sleep paralysis have led to its own brimming subgenre of horror.

As these tales unfold, listeners not only learn state-of-the-art psychological science but also gain a better understanding of history, folklore, and how Hollywood often—but not always—gets it wrong when tackling these complex topics.

About Brian A. Sharpless

Brian A. Sharpless is a licensed psychologist and author. He received his PhD in clinical psychology and MA in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. He has authored more than fifty professional publications, including three books for Oxford University Press. His research interests include common and unusual psychological disorders, psychotherapy, professional issues, and the history of mental illness. He lives in the Washington, DC, area.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kristin on March 14, 2024

This book was such a fun read!! The academic analysis was easily digestible :) and gives a whole new appreciation for horror tropes. The historiography of medicine as tied to horror tropes and thorough breakdown of how psychological disorders informed horror mythology brings a whole new understandin......more

Goodreads review by Kirsti on April 03, 2024

Dark, twisted, horrifying realities in this book. Studying WHERE myths of monsters began and how they relate to the human psychology was fascinating. The author had a light, appropriate, sense of humor when writing about such difficult ideas. From clinical lycanthropy and vampirism to sleep paralysi......more

Goodreads review by Sadie on March 10, 2024

Great read! Insightful and I loved the author's satire and dark comedy that kept the content engaging without being disrespectful. A tricky fine line to walk. I'll definitely be watching horror movies through a different lens and recommending this to horror movies fans I know.......more

Goodreads review by David on August 28, 2023

This was an interesting read that I got the opportunity for as a proof. I review horror films while also enjoy reading when I find time. This is an academic approach to real conditions and mental diagnosis while using as well as exploring films that feature different topics. Brian Sharpless has a fu......more

Goodreads review by Mouse on December 07, 2023

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. It made me want to learn more about various disorders and the inspiration of horror movies. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about the movies and the folklore and some history behind some and possible inspiration.......more