Study links binge-watching with depression

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – With Season 3 of the super-popular House of Cards released today on Netflix, a lot of people are making dates with their TVs and tablets — really, really long dates.

But new research suggests that may spell trouble for some; a US study is linking binge-watching and depression.

Sitting down and watching entire seasons of popular shows has become part of our TV culture. Doctoral students at the University of Texas-Austin surveyed over 300 young adults and found 75 per cent binge-watched. But they also found that those who did were far more likely to feel lonely or depressed.

“What happens with our bodies is we have rhythms that we go through during the day, and if we don’t address those rhythms, then we feel a little bit hopeless and we get too comfortable not facing our daily necessities of living our lives,” says Dr. Frieda Birnbaum, a New York-based research psychologist and psychoanalyst.

“There are many levels that create depression from being too involved with technology,” she tells News1130.

She agrees with the researchers, who suggest some people use endless viewing sessions to escape negative feelings.

They say if you do binge-watch, try to limit yourself to two episodes at a time and get up and walk around in between. If you feel like your TV watching habits are getting out of control or you have feelings of depression, talk to a professional.

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