Binge watching can cause depression

PUNE: Binge watching is the latest trend which is growing across all age groups and has a serious impact on the psychology of individuals. Experts say it is a behavioural addiction and can have serious implications like isolation, depression and can affect your interpersonal relations.

Dr Harish Shetty, a psychiatrist at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, said, “People live in the denial stage as they think that addiction is associated with substance abuse but this is also an addiction that can cause severe impact worst than what damage cocaine does.”

“People who are engaged in binge-watching are confined to their rooms and start living in the virtual world and are disconnected with the real world. This constant addiction often drives people to isolation as they stop talking to their families and friends. This isolation can have serious implications as it can transport you in the state of depression which can lead to suicides as well. It also hampers the concentration power and memory,” Dr Shetty said.

He added, “Due to this addiction, people are moving away from life and living in the world of illusion, thus it is important to have a check on that. We should not bring our gadgets to our bedroom and have strong will power to control this addiction.”

Dr Rohan Jahagirdar, a psychiatrist, said, “Content available on the web is gripping enough as it is created after a lot of research and is extremely addictive for the audience.”

“Thus, people are glued to it so much that there is a tremendous reduction in productive time. It hampers your communication skill further damming your interpersonal relationship with your partner and kids,” he added.

“Binge watching is common in all age groups as even working professionals are addicted to it. During weekends, they are binge-watching movies for hours and it creates serious disorder like back pain and also they are confined to their rooms which is very harmful. Even if they are having dinner, they will have their mobile phones with them which is not healthy,” he added.

He said, “It is very important to have strong will power and self-control. It is very important to have at least one meal with your family without mobiles on your side. Family discussion and communication should be encouraged in every household after coming from their work, it will help in reducing the time people spend in binging.”

“Passive consumption is central to binge watching. Being entertained without taking any real work responsibility is a soothing psychological defence. Binge is just that. Today, torrents and fast Internet connection just facilitate that,” Dr Bhooshan Shukla said.

“Anxiety and depression are the most common causes and thus mental health check-up are quite needed for binge watchers,” Dr Shukla cautions.

PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT
- Isolation
- Reduction in productive time
- Hampers communication skill
- Reduces concentration and memory
- Affects interpersonal relations with kids and partner
- Anxiety 
- depression

GET RID OF BINGING
- Strong willpower and self-control.
- At least one meal a day without mobile phone by your side.
- Interact with family members after returning from work.
- Interact with kids without holding a gadget in your hand.