A first psychological horror story usually has an element of mystery. The events that happen are not easily explainable. In the stories above, the diary in the attic, the typing on the old typewriter, and the dolls' behavior are all mysterious. Another element is a sense of dread. As the stories progress, the characters feel more and more dread. For instance, the man in the office felt dread as he was pushed towards the exit. And there's often a lack of control for the characters, like the girl being held back in the house, which makes it even more terrifying.
Isolation is a big one. When characters are alone, like in 'The Shining' where the family is stuck in an empty, haunted hotel, it amps up the fear. Another is the unknown. In many psychological horror novels, there are things that the characters (and the readers) can't fully understand, like the strange happenings in 'House of Leaves'.
The key elements often include a sense of unease and dread. For example, an unreliable narrator can make the reader constantly question what's real. Creepy settings like an old, abandoned house add to the horror. Also, psychological manipulation of the characters, such as gaslighting, is common. Subtle foreshadowing that makes the reader anticipate something bad is another element.
A common psychological reaction is fear. The unknown and often disturbing elements in horror stories trigger our primal fear instincts.
Some key elements include a complex and unreliable narrator. This type of narrator can make the readers constantly question what is real and what is not. Another element is the use of psychological manipulation. Characters may be manipulated by others or by their own inner demons, which creates a sense of unease. Also, a claustrophobic or isolated setting is often used. For example, an old, dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere. This setting intensifies the feeling of dread as there seems to be no escape from the horror within.
One idea could be a person who wakes up every day to find that their memories are slowly being erased. They start to see strange symbols around their house that seem to be related to the memory loss. As they try to figure out what's going on, they realize that there's a shadowy figure in the corner of their vision that disappears whenever they turn to look directly at it.
In a psychological horror first person story, the main character's psychological state is a key element. Their mind is the battleground for the horror. This includes their emotions, like extreme anxiety or a sense of impending doom. The power of suggestion is also important. You don't always have to show the horror directly; sometimes, just suggesting it through the character's thoughts is scarier. And the relationship between the character and their environment is crucial. If the environment seems to be working against the character, it adds to the horror. For example, if the walls seem to close in on the protagonist in a claustrophobic space, it heightens the sense of dread.
Isolation is a common theme. For example, in many stories the protagonist is cut off from the outside world, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. Another theme is the loss of sanity, as seen in 'The Tell - Tale Heart'.
The loss of sanity is a big one too. Characters in short psychological horror stories often start to question their own minds. They might see things that aren't there or lose their grip on reality, like in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. Dr. Jekyll's experiments lead to the creation of Mr. Hyde, and as he tries to control it, he slowly loses his sanity.
The key elements often include intense character studies, disturbing storylines, and a focus on the darker side of human psychology.
Well, start by building a creepy atmosphere. Use dark settings and mysterious sounds. Also, give your characters deep-seated fears and traumas.