Written by Kimberly Andrews
This post is heavier than much of what I usually share, but it reflects an important aspect of my passion for mental health and psychological understanding.
I am often asked how I can watch true crime and investigative programs such as See No Evil, American Monster, Forensic Files, or Very Scary People. Some interpret this interest as morbid or even unethical, as though engaging with these topics reflects fascination with evil itself. This assumption is a common misunderstanding.
For me, this interest is not rooted in shock value or sensationalism. It stems from psychological curiosity and a genuine desire to understand the human mind. I am not drawn to violence. I am drawn to the question of why.
I am a long-time mental health advocate and a supporter of organizations such as NAMI and Mental Health America. I have completed coursework in psychology, psychiatry, and mental health, and earlier in my life, I seriously considered pursuing a career as a psychologist. My thinking is naturally analytical and inquiry-driven. When I engage with these programs, I do so through the lenses of psychology, sociology, and criminal psychology, not entertainment.
From a faith perspective, I do not believe that acknowledging the existence of evil is incompatible with Christian values. Denying its reality can be dangerously naive. Understanding how profoundly the human mind can fracture often reinforces the necessity of justice, accountability, and compassion. I do not glorify perpetrators. I strongly condemn their actions. What compels me is the reality that a human psyche can deteriorate to such an extent, and the factors that may contribute to that collapse.
This is the same framework through which I approach portrayals such as the depiction of Ed Gein in the Monster series. My interest lies not in the individual as a figure of notoriety, but in the psychological disintegration that preceded his actions. Similarly, Handsome Devil: Charming Killer, which explores the case of Wade Wilson, illustrates another troubling dimension of human psychology. Beyond the violence itself, the romanticization and defense of the offender expose patterns of cognitive distortion, emotional vulnerability, and misplaced attachment that warrant serious examination.
I do not engage with these topics to celebrate darkness. I engage with them because understanding psychological darkness is often necessary to effectively advocate for mental health awareness and prevention. Much of what I have studied suggests that some individuals may be born with significant neurological deficits. When the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control, empathy, moral reasoning, and executive functioning, is underdeveloped or impaired, the capacity for restraint and emotional regulation may be profoundly compromised. However, biology alone does not tell the full story. The interaction between neurological vulnerability and environmental factors remains complex, with nature and nurture operating independently or converging in ways that amplify harm.
Many people may not realize how many layers exist beneath a quiet exterior. I tend to be soft spoken and private, which can lead to misinterpretation or oversimplification. My strength has been shaped over decades through education, observation, lived experience, and sustained inner work. My interest in psychology, mental health, criminal psychology, and advocacy is only one dimension of who I am.
I carry a quiet strength formed through personal challenge, professional learning, and an enduring commitment to understanding both my own mind and the minds of others. I am not defined by any single diagnosis or label. I am a lifelong student of human behavior, psychological resilience, and the question of why we are the way we are. This understanding is central to the work I share through The Tangled Mind Haven.
#MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthAdvocacy #Psychology #CriminalPsychology #HumanBehavior #PsychologicalInsight #MentalHealthEducation #TraumaInformed
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