Trauma
How does sleep affect intrusive memories and mental health?
According to a study from the University of York and the University of East Anglia, a good night's sleep can help restrict intrusive memories, while disrupted sleep or sleep loss interferes with this ability. The research demonstrates that sleep deprivation disrupts healthy participants' ability to keep intrusive memories at bay. This connection is particularly significant for people suffering from mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, where intrusive memories can be recurrent, vivid, and upsetting. Understanding the mechanisms linking poor sleep and mental health offers fresh insight into cognitive and neural processes, highlighting why adequate rest is crucial for emotional well-being and reducing the global burden of mental illness.
Watch clip answer (02:45m)
WION
08:35 - 11:21
Does Morgan Geyser still pose a significant risk to society?
According to the court ruling, Morgan Geyser no longer poses a significant risk to society. The judge stated, "Morgan does not pose a significant risk of bodily harm to herself or others." Despite the seriousness of her past crime, experts noted she has had multiple successful opportunities to be in the community. Morgan has shown growth and rehabilitation since the 2014 Slenderman stabbing incident, with aspirations to become a librarian and continue her writing. Her attorney believes she has demonstrated genuine remorse for her actions, though the victim's family remains concerned about her potential release.
Watch clip answer (01:27m)
ABC News
10:37 - 12:05
What was Morgan Geyser's psychological state when she committed the crime related to Slender Man?
Morgan Geyser wasn't deviously planning the crime but rather experienced a profound psychological delusion where she felt controlled by the fictional character Slender Man. According to testimony, she believed she had no choice but to obey Slender Man's commands. This perspective suggests Morgan was experiencing serious mental health issues at the time of the incident, with her actions driven by psychosis rather than calculated malice. The case highlights how untreated mental illness in youth can manifest in tragic ways, especially when influenced by internet phenomena.
Watch clip answer (00:10m)
ABC News
04:18 - 04:29
What was the Slender Man stabbing case about?
The Slender Man stabbing case involved two 12-year-old girls, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who lured their friend Peyton Lightner into the woods and stabbed her 19 times in 2014. They committed this brutal attack to impress a fictional online character named Slenderman. The victim miraculously survived despite the severity of her injuries. Both attackers were confined to a mental health institute, with Anissa later granted supervised release after nearly four years. Morgan, now 22, recently appeared in court seeking release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute where she has been held for about a decade.
Watch clip answer (01:46m)
ABC News
02:25 - 04:11
How did the survivor of the Slender Man stabbing respond to the traumatic experience?
The survivor of the Slender Man stabbing, who was stabbed 19 times at age 12 by her friends, chose to move forward without dwelling on resentment. When asked about her feelings toward her attackers, she expressed that while she initially thought about it, she ultimately decided that holding onto negative emotions would 'get me nowhere.' She adopted the philosophy that 'it's easier to live without regrets,' demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of this horrific crime. The attack was particularly disturbing as it was motivated by the perpetrators' desire to please a fictional online character known as Slender Man, highlighting the dangerous influence of internet mythology on impressionable young minds.
Watch clip answer (00:23m)
ABC News
00:15 - 00:38
Who is Slenderman and how did he influence Morgan Geyser in the Slender Man case?
Slenderman is described as a tall, faceless fictional character who preys on children. In the infamous Slender Man case, he exerted a powerful psychological influence over Morgan Geyser, one of the two 12-year-old girls involved in the stabbing incident. According to the defense evaluator in the case, Morgan wasn't deviously planning the attack but rather felt controlled by Slenderman. This suggests that her actions were driven by delusions rather than malicious intent, highlighting the complex mental health issues at play. This case demonstrates how fictional internet mythology can dangerously impact vulnerable young minds.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)
ABC News
04:04 - 04:24