Russ McKamey runs multiple locations of what he refers to as an extreme haunted house. To participate, participants must pass a physical exam, have their background check completed, and sign a 40-page waiver agreement.
Petition with over 10,000 signatures demands the closure of his business, alleging the “haunt” is actually a torture chamber screening applicants to find those they can abuse and torture.
1. Fear of the dark
No matter their phobias or not, the dark can evoke feelings of anxiety in anyone. Stimuli such as moldy smells, old wood interiors and Victorian or Gothic architecture may amplify that fearful sensation further.
Some individuals are afraid of hospitals and prisons or anything with blood, yet can still enjoy haunted houses; just avoid ones which include these themes or use specific scare tactics.
Fear can become an anxiety disorder if it persists for too long and turns into phobia, leading to symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations or nausea and panic attacks. If this happens to you, seek assistance from a mental health provider; medication may help in certain instances; darkness phobia (nyctophobia) can be treated through therapy as well as using light therapy devices for relief.
2. Fear of the unknown
Haunted houses and other terrifying attractions prey upon your fears to create that biochemical rush of terror. Fear of the unknown causes your heartbeat to race faster while your palms sweat more; all because of an unpredictable threat such as ghostly beings acting upon us from beyond the grave!
McKamey Manor, run by Navy veteran Russ McKamey and known as an extreme haunt, capitalizes on participants’ deepest fears associated with darkness and small spaces by employing participants’ fears as the driving force. Dubbed an “extreme haunt,” McKamey Manor pushes guests (who must sign a 40-page waiver form and pass an physical examination) beyond their limits in its quest to provide thrills and scares.
Fearing haunted houses is normal, but having an overwhelming fear may also indicate a more serious condition called “phobia”. Phobias involve preoccupation with an object or situation you fear, often manifested through extreme reactions such as avoidance.
3. Fear of being hurt
As soon as your heart starts pounding and adrenaline kicks in, your pulse increases dramatically and excitement surges through you – but this kind of excitement can lead to fainting or injury, with some injuries even being fatal.
Fear and other forms of psychological arousal may trigger heart attacks, according to University of Colorado cardiologist Neel Butala. He notes, however, that deaths due to fear-inducing haunted houses are rare occurrences.
Set personal boundaries regarding how much gore or violence you’re willing to tolerate. Speak openly about any worries and phobias you have with the attraction, consider attending with friends or group to support each other, prepare coping strategies such as deep breathing or positive self-talk techniques to stay calm during haunted houses, post haunt plans to motivate your completion of them and post haunt plans should an incident occur; consult an experienced personal injury attorney if injuries do arise at haunted houses.
4. Fear of being alone
Researchers found that people entering haunted houses with friends reported lower fear levels than those entering alone due to fear dilution – whereby fear affects both individuals and groups simultaneously; people can fear for themselves as well as worrying that something bad will happen to someone else.
Watching others respond to terrifying situations piques our own curiosity, making it hard to resist sharing ghost stories around a campfire or clicking on news articles about paranormal happenings.
Bringing along friends will allow you to talk through any fears while keeping you from feeling isolated in the darkness. Also consider planning activities afterward so as to prevent yourself from dwelling on what happened there.
5. Fear of being judged
Russ McKamey of McKamey Manor operates an extreme haunted house which promises participants the most terrifying, mentally taxing 10 hours of their lives. With an extensive waiting list and a loyal following, he boasts an elongated schedule; some critics even accuse his operation of operating as an illicit torture chamber that should no longer exist in business.
On this tour, guests are bound and chained, slapped, thrown around, forced to consume their own vomit as part of the experience and even forced into crying due to fear or being so terrified they seek medical advice afterward. Some individuals have even required professional psychiatric support as a result.
Participants must sign a 40-page waiver and undergo both mental and physical exams prior to participating. They also agree to being filmed throughout the event – something McKamey claims is for safety purposes – though YouTube requires users to view these videos with warning before viewing.
