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August 20, 2025 27 mins

Dr. Brian A. Sharpless delves into the psyches of horror’s most unforgettable characters, unpacking the real psychological conditions that may underlie their terrifying behavior. With deep clinical and research expertise, he brings a grounded psychological lens to the genre, interpreting horror through the DSM and beyond. He also offers insight on the misconception of mental illness in horror films. He’s an internationally recognized expert on unusual mental health conditions, including sleep paralysis, clinical lycanthropy, and other rare phenomena. Brian has taught at Harvard Medical School, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Maryland, and his work has been featured in  The NY Times, NPR, The Atlantic, BBC, The Boston Globe, The Cut, Men's Health, Newsweek, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, Time, The Washington Post, and other notable publications.

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