Mental illness in video games : mental health as a source of inspiration in the horror genre

Abstract

Things that we do not understand and which are seen as abnormal are a great source of horror, as they evoke intense fear as people naturally dread the unknown. Hence, mental illness becomes a prevalent theme in horror, perpetuating its stigma. Those unaffected by it struggle to grasp its realities, perpetuating misconceptions. In the media mental illness is always portrayed as dysfunctional and dangerous as this always attracts more attention. This constant negative portrayal of mental illness is what creates the stigma around it. This thesis focuses on the way mental illness is portrayed in the horror genre in games, and how it is depicted through visuals, in sound design and game mechanics.