Not all memes come from a good, wholesome place. Not all memes come from a particularly funny place, either. While most memes are meant to entertain in a generally positive and amusing way, the following memes absolutely aren't. They're certainly entertaining, but in more of a shocking, uncomfortable way. They're known as distressing memes, and they're both awful and incredibly hard to look away from. They tap into collective fears we all share while often playing into a particularly disturbing narrative, one that might stick with you for a while after you see it.

A good distressing meme might leave you questioning an unfortunate historical incident, your feeling of safety in your own home, or reality itself. They're growing in popularity online, and since everyone subconsciously likes to feel a little scared, it's clear why they're gaining such a following. These are some of our favorite times a meme went a little too far in the wrong direction and entered distressing territory.