People are terrified of the 'Baby Reindeer effect' and its impact on viewers.

The recent release of the Netflix drama "Baby Reindeer" has caused quite a stir among viewers, leaving many feeling paranoid and terrified. This harrowing true story follows one man's account of being stalked, while also dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault and rape. The bravery of Richard Gadd, who used his own experiences to inspire the one-man play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has now been turned into a powerful and widely praised drama on Netflix. However, the intense and disturbing content has also left some viewers feeling uneasy and petrified.

The story follows Donny, who is relentlessly terrorized by Martha after a chance encounter. It all begins when she walks into the pub where he works as a barman and becomes dangerously obsessed with him after one act of kindness. From there, his entire life is consumed by this unhealthy fixation, as he is followed in real life and bombarded with constant messages online. The series spans eight episodes, each one more disturbing than the last.

Sadly, for some viewers, the impact of this show has lingered long after the credits have rolled. Similar to other emotionally charged TV shows like "I May Destroy You," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "13 Reasons Why," "Baby Reindeer" has a powerful effect on its audience. The fact that it is based on a true story only adds to the raw and intense portrayal, which has been dubbed the "Baby Reindeer effect."

One viewer, Alessia, expressed her newfound paranoia on social media, saying, "Yea I'm never gonna be nice to any of u mfs anymore this made me paranoid bruh." Others have called the show "disturbing" and "triggering," with Kiran Manral stating, "Perhaps the most disturbing, triggering watch in a long time. Better folks than me will review this, but all I say is that it forces you to confront your own traumas and fears." Danny simply summed up his reaction to the show with, "Baby Reindeer is heavy! Just finished it, Christ I'll not sleep for a week!" While Duncan Goodfellow admitted to feeling "drained, exhausted, and equally terrified" after watching.

Psychotherapist Noel McDermott has shed light on why this show has such a profound effect on its viewers. He explains that TV dramas have always had the power to evoke real feelings, using therapists as an example. "It's well known in clinical circles that therapists can develop traumatic symptoms from exposure to the stories of patients," he says. The threat mechanism in our brains is not conscious and can't differentiate between real and fictional events, which explains why we can feel such intense emotions while watching a TV show.

McDermott goes on to discuss the gender dynamics at play in "Baby Reindeer," as it is rare to see a man being stalked instead of a woman. "The novelty is making patterned social responses to women being stalked such as victim blaming, or indifference, unavailable so the actual trauma of this type of behavior is more evident." This unique perspective may have triggered and activated past experiences of stalking, control, and intimate partner violence for some viewers.

The show also delves into the concept of "hidden trauma," which can be a relatable and fearful experience for many people. Donny's character, who is dealing with this hidden trauma, is forced to confront it head-on throughout the series. McDermott explains, "The story hinges on the idea of the activation of 'hidden trauma' in us which is a deep fear. There is an erroneous belief that repressed trauma will surface one day and take control of us." This could be a triggering and emotional experience for viewers who have also dealt with past traumas.

McDermott advises anyone who is experiencing distress after watching "Baby Reindeer" to seek help from a medical professional. The Agency has reached out to Netflix and Richard Gadd's representatives for comment on the show's impact on viewers. "Baby Reindeer" is available to stream on Netflix now.

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