Tag: Humor and Entertainment

Fear, Folklore, and the Human Mind: Exploring ‘Monsters on the Couch’ by Brian Sharpless

‘Monsters on the Couch’ by Brian A. Sharpless. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: Monsters on the Couch by Brian A. Sharpless

Exploring the Real Psychological Disorders Behind Famous Horror Movies

From psychologist, researcher, and horror film enthusiast Brian A. Sharpless comes Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies, an exploration of the real-life psychological disorders that inspired some of cinema’s most iconic horror movies. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

Sharpless compares dramatic clinical syndromes, every bit as fascinating as those on the silver screen, with the science and folklore behind our favorite monsters.

Horror movies, he argues, can reveal far more about human psychology than we realize. When explored honestly, our fears become mirrors reflecting our culture, our anxieties, and our shared humanity.

Famous Monsters and Their Real-Life Counterparts

Horror fans may be obsessed with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the eerie “replacements” from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but few know the real conditions behind these creatures, such as Renfield’s syndrome, clinical lycanthropy, Cotard’s syndrome, and misidentification delusions.

What’s Inside the Book

Part I: Movie Monsters from the Early Days of Cinema

  1. Clinical Lycanthropy
  2. You Suck?
  3. I Am The Walking Dead

Part II: Modern-Day Movie Monsters

  1. One, Two, The Dab Tsog’s Coming For You
  2. This Is Not My Beautiful House, This Is Not My Beautiful Wife
  3. Demons, Aliens, and Shadow People

Part III: Monstrous Behaviors

  1. Are You Gonna Eat That?
  2. Shuddersome Sex in the Movies

Highlights

Part I: Chapter 3
Sharpless explains that immortality might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Vampires and zombies both feed after death, yet zombies’ mindless existence makes their fate far gloomier. As he writes,

“Some psychologists and philosophers have argued that this fundamental fear of death prompted people to defensively create gods and an immortal afterlife.”

Part II: Chapter 4
Sharpless shares his personal experience with sleep paralysis and connects it to the mysterious Hmong Deaths that likely inspired Nightmare on Elm Street. These incidents involved young men in California who died in their sleep, hauntingly blurring the line between science and superstition.

Review

In Monsters on the Couch, clinical psychologist Brian Sharpless bridges the gap between horror cinema and psychological science with wit and expertise. His goal is to raise awareness of serious but often overlooked psychological conditions that cause real suffering.

Each chapter dissects iconic horror films such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Invasion of the Body Snatchers through the lens of genuine mental disorders, uncovering the truths, exaggerations, and myths that shape how we perceive mental illness. He also explains symptoms and common treatments with both compassion and precision.

Sharpless writes with the enthusiasm of a horror fan and the insight of a clinician, grounding classic horror tropes like sleep paralysis and vampirism in psychological reality. The tone remains conversational and often humorous, making even the darkest topics approachable.

Ultimately, Monsters on the Couch reminds us that the true horror isn’t the monster on the screen, it’s society’s ongoing misunderstanding of mental health. This is essential reading for horror lovers, psychology students, and anyone curious about how fear and empathy intertwine.

“The most consistent theme across films would likely be a fear of death…I suspect that a lot of people get uncomfortable even dipping their toe in the dark, icy cold waters of death, let alone diving in headfirst.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Brian A. Sharpless is a licensed psychologist, researcher, and author whose work focuses on unusual psychological disorders, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and the history and philosophy of clinical psychology. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University, and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania.

*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for the gift copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

New book release: ‘How to Tame a F*ck Boy’ by Emmanuel Simms

‘How to Take a F*ck Boy’ is the new book by Emmanuel Simms. Photo: Amazon

Relationships can be complicated but dating is a whole other level of messy, especially in today’s modern world. Nowadays, there are a myriad of books out there that offer advice on navigating these troublesome waters but at least they bring the topic to the table and get people talking. If you are looking for a unique book on relationship advice, consider Emmanuel Simms’ new book “How to Tame a F*ck Boy.” The title might be off-putting, but the term is just another way of saying ‘bad boy’ or ‘bad girl.’ In reality, it is a real, raw, and relatable guide that “acknowledges the messiness of modern love, yet offers actionable advice (and a few laughs) to navigate it.” It is a short read filled with personal stories, humor, and practical advice. It is available on Amazon.

Emmanuel Simms MFA is an American writer best known for his book “The Rules of a Successful Failure.” In his writing, he explores social issues such as race and discrimination within minority communities. Simms has an urban tone in his writing, which allows him to explore these complex topics in a way that is both informative and relatable for his readers. (Emmanuel Simms, 2023)

Simms grew up in a low-income, inner-city neighborhood. He witnessed firsthand the effects of discrimination and poverty on minority communities. This shaped his view of the world and inspired him to write about these issues in his books. In “The Rules of a Successful Failure,” Simms uses his personal experiences to explore what it takes to overcome adversity. He offers readers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by minorities in society and provides valuable advice on how to overcome them.

Simms’ writing is important because it offers a rare look into the lives of minority communities. His insights can help readers to better understand the difficulties faced by these groups and can provide hope to those who are struggling to overcome them. His new book “How to Tame a F*ck Boy : 12 Steps for Taming Your F*ck Boy,” the first in the #RelationshipGoals Mastery series, is a humorous and insightful look at navigating the complex world of modern dating.

“How to Tame a F*ck Boy : 12 Steps for Taming Your F*ck Boy” (#RelationshipGoals Mastery Book 1) – In the exhilarating dance of modern relationships, Emmanuel Simms offers a bold and candid guide to understanding, navigating, and potentially taming the enigma known colloquially as the ‘F*ck Boy.’ Through “12 Steps for Taming Your F*ck Boy,” Simms delves into the dynamics that make these relationships both enthralling and tumultuous. Drawing from a mix of personal anecdotes, humor, and practical advice, this book doesn’t just shed light on the allure of the F*ck Boy but also offers tangible steps for those hoping to find balance in such partnerships. Whether you’re caught in the throes of a whirlwind romance, seeking clarity, or just in for an entertaining read about modern love’s complexities, this book is your compass. Dive in and discover a blend of humor, wisdom, and raw truths that will resonate, provoke thought, and maybe even guide you to a healthier, happier relationship dynamic.

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