Weird obsession

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Weird obsession
7
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 4:40pm
I feel stupid writing about this but its gotten to be a problem. I don't get out too much, (I do volunteer and go to a part-time job) so I watch a lot of tv. There's one show that makes me feel awful. But at the same time I can't help but watch it. Its mainly the the star of the show's love life that I watch for. I'm sure its because I don't have one. But I watch other tv series that have similar situations and NONE of them make me feel so down and obsessed. I rented past seasons on dvd and watched about 9 hrs worth the other day w/o once leaving my house. Does anyone else suffer from this? I know that by just not watching the show my mood will improve but I continue to watch. How stupid is this? I feel like such a loser. And when I try to talk to the few people I talk to they don't get it and I don't go very indepth so as not to appear like a freak. Even though I feel like a freak. I don't know I just wanted to tell someone and see if I'm the only one who submits them self to odd obsessions. The other thing that bothers me is why can't I just enjoy the show like I do with other series? I'm sure ya'll agree I need to go back into therapy but I can't afford it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 5:51pm

Welcome Zaphnia,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Tue, 03-30-2004 - 9:32pm
Hi, nice to "meet" you...welcome to the board! I have dealt with a similar issue lately (one reason I am trying to convince myself to give up TV altogether)...I haven't been obsessed with any particular show, but I do continue to watch shows that I know will disturb and/or depress me...particularly medical-type shows, since they make me feel like there is no way I will be able to handle medical school. Like you, even though I know the shows will make me feel bad later, I can't seem to tear myself away from them sometimes.

I would write more, but I have gotten one of my (thankfully rare) migraines...so I think I need to go to bed...but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone with this problem, and you can overcome it. I hope you'll continue to post here,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 9:34am
Its awful that a tv show can make you feel bad. And its me that's causing it not the tv show. Other people who watch it don't feel this way. I just feel stupid. I want to be able to watch this show w/o feeling this way.
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anonymous user
In reply to: zaphnia
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 12:40pm
Hey Zaphnia, I first of all want to say Thank You so much for posting this. I think so many ppl have this problem and no one really talks about it. I think you were really brave to post it because I know you were feeling weird about writing it. I had a similar problem to you, and I still do to a point.

I was obsessed with certain films/tv shows as well, and I would tape them either on my vcr or I would record it on audio cassettes. I would listen and watch these shows and stuff over and over again wishing so bad I was this person or in the situation, etc.

I know it is sooo hard to turn the tv off. I no longer obsess about any particular show or movie, but I have a hard time keeping the tv off. Last night I kept it off and it was a wonderful evening.

I think the trick is to REPLACE tv with something else. B4 you get the tv off, plan to write a letter to a friend, put on the radio, clean the house, go for a walk, etc.

I also find that it is hundreds of times easier to keep the tv off if I dont turn it on at all that day. I know you can do it.

If you try it and you have withdrawal symptoms, then I would suggest that you write to us immediately! Another idea I sometimes consider is actually putting my t.v back in the box and not having it here at all...eek! Oh well, its an idea.

Best of luck hun and I hope you know now you arent a freak at all, if you are then I am too! Take care :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 1:10pm
Wow! Thanks. I really appreciate your posting. It makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one. I don't know if I can turn the TV off completely but I agree with having a plan to do something else to avoid "the show". Thanks. I really, really appreciate it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 1:33pm


Okay let me tell you to start off witht hat you are NOT a freak at all....

All of us have something tht we get obsessed with for me it is working out it is not a healthy thing for me considering I do it like 7 days a week and freak out if I can not work out and I then start to think that I have lost all my muscle mass and gained 100pounds okay then thanks for letting me get that out real quick.

I am obsessed with cop showd like C.S.I. or law and order that is really all I watch besides six feet under and sex and the city when it was still on and I think what happens is that there is a charicter that is so simular to how we see ourselves that we relate to them and sometimes it gets to the point where it almost feels like they are liking our life out right in front of us and that is what gets us depressed, because it is almost like looking into the mirror and looking really hard at ourselves.

Also it could be a charicter that we wish we were more like if they are outgoing and we are not then we sit and watch them and wish tht we could be like them especially if at one point in our life we were really outgoing and had lots of friends and now we seem to be alone so we look at these people who are playing a role and think wow that used to be me or wow I wish that was me and that makes us depressed.

But what we have to remember is tht these people are acting that s not how they really are they could be just as down as you are in their real life but they are getting paid ALOT of money to be someone different.

Hun dont worry you are not alone just look at the responses you got dont you think that if you were alone no one would respond. try to not watch that program work out clean take a shower/bath write a letter keep yourself busy while it is on and maybeyou will start to feel better actually I know that you would start to feel better.

Oh ya my obsession with the cop shows is that I have cops in my family I always wanted to be a cop or try to get into the fbi but I screwed up my life when I was younger but I have changed alot since then but I am afraid of someone finding it all out so I never tried and now it is too late I am only 29 but to enroll in anything like that I am too old now so I live thru the shows sad huh.

Erin

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
In reply to: zaphnia
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 4:10pm
Erin, thank you so much!!!! I really do feel less bizarre now that I've seen everyone's posts. And you're right, I want what I don't have and I do identify with a character because I want her life. I've avoided it today, except for about ten minutes--but I turned it and didn't watch this afternoon. (Reruns are on twice a day here)And I canceled my rentals of the dvds of the past seasons from Netflix. Anyway, thank you so much for post and sharing. Have you looked into state police? In my area the cut-off age is 30 for the state police. Thank you to you and everyone so much for your support. I wish I had posted sooner, I've felt awful like this for MONTHS!!! Thank you again.