10 Ways American Horror Story Cult Explores Mental Illness In America Through Ally

5. Oz Suffers From Night Terrors

Following the logic of genetics, Oz is more likely to develop mental illness due to the cluster of genes he inherited. Night terrors are not directly caused by genetics but can be triggered by pre-existing conditions. Mood disorders, including anxiety, are listed as one of the possible causes of night terrors. Oz might be more predisposed to mood disorders if Ally has problems with her anxiety, and that might be the cause of his night terrors.

Again, that knowledge isn’t unique to the United States, but it’s worth pointing out that experiencing night terrors, especially beyond childhood, can carry a social stigma like mental disorders because the actions taken by the person during the night terror are unpredictable. Violent or aggressive behavior can occur, and in a full-grown adult that’s intimidating.

Imagine someone with the build of The Rock flailing or running around the house because they’re terrified. That’s frightening, especially if you’re physically weaker than the person and can’t restrain them. Plus, children usually grow out of it by their teen years, and that adds to the stigma because it’s a bit like wetting the bed. If you haven’t outgrown it you might be mocked, and they probably won’t invite you to spend the night at their house.