Is watching a show over and over depression?

What does it mean to watch a show repeatedly?

Some people enjoy rewatching their favorite TV shows or movies over and over again. This could involve watching the same episodes or scenes repeatedly, or rewatching the entire series or film numerous times. There are various reasons why someone might engage in this behavior:

• For comfort – Familiar stories and characters can have a soothing effect and make people feel safe and relaxed when dealing with stress or anxiety.
• To catch details – Rewatching allows people to catch subtle details, foreshadowing, or easter eggs they may have missed on initial viewings.
• For nostalgia – Old favorites can remind people of happier times and trigger fond memories.
• To understand complex plots – Repeated viewings help absorb twists in intricate stories.
• Lack of new stimuli – Some rewatch out of boredom or because they struggle to find new shows that hold their interest.

Frequent rewatching only becomes concerning if it starts to dominate a person’s free time, displaces other activities, or is used to avoid responsibilities or social connections. Moderation is key.

Is repeat viewing linked to depression?

There is some evidence connecting repeat viewing of TV shows and movies to symptoms of clinical depression:

• Avoidance – Depressed people may lose interest in socializing or pursuing new activities. Rewatching familiar shows can become an avoidance tactic.
• Change in habits – Increased rewatching and social withdrawal can signal developing depression.
• Reduced motivation – A hallmark of depression is lack of motivation. Many depressed individuals feel unmotivated to watch new shows or movies.
• Numbing effects – Depressed people sometimes use rewatching to numb themselves from sad feelings.
• Familiarity – The predictability of old favorites can be reassuring to depressed individuals who feel overwhelmed by change.

However, correlation does not equal causation. While rewatching and depression often co-occur, one does not necessarily cause the other.

When does repeat viewing become concerning?

Some potential signs that repeat viewing may be part of a mental health issue:

• It’s the only activity you engage in
• You’ve abandoned previously enjoyed hobbies
• It’s your main coping mechanism for stress or sadness
• You watch to the point of exhaustion or physical discomfort
• You become irritable if interrupted
• You avoid social events to stay home and rewatch
• Rewatching is impacting work, school, or relationships
• You feel depressed or anxious when not rewatching

If you relate to some of these, it may be beneficial to speak to a mental health professional. They can help determine if depression or another issue is at play.

Using rewatching for mood management

Occasional rewatching as a form of relaxation or nostalgia is generally harmless. But it shouldn’t be your only strategy for coping with stress or difficult emotions. Here are some tips:

• Set a healthy limit on rewatching. Don’t let it displace sleep, exercise, socializing, etc.
• Branch out occasionally and watch something new.
• Identify other mood boosters besides rewatching, like hobbies, social interaction, music, etc.
• Deal with the root causes of your sadness or anxiety through therapy.
• Don’t use rewatching to completely avoid negative feelings – acknowledge them.
• If you compulsively rewatch, try just summarizing the episode afterward instead.

Finding balance is key. The comfort of old favorites has its place, but it shouldn’t replace living your life.

Healthy reasons people rewatch shows

While excessive rewatching can be unhealthy, there are many good reasons people return to their comfort shows:

• Relieve anxiety – Familiar plots and characters can have a soothing effect.
• Counter boredom – Old favorites can fill time when nothing else grabs your interest.
• Aid concentration – Rewatching requires less focus than new shows.
• Destress – The predictability can feel comforting after a long, tiring day.
• Boost creativity – Hearing beloved dialogue can inspire creative pursuits.
• Understand complex stories – Repeated viewings pick up things you initially missed.
• Provide nostalgia – Reexperiencing treasured memories from your past.
• Appreciate excellence – You may admire the craftsmanship and want to delve deeper.

Moderation is key – rewatching shouldn’t become obsessive or compulsive. But the occasional rewatch can be beneficial.

Coping with change through rewatching

Many people rewatch shows when going through major life changes:

• Moving – Rewatching helps maintain a sense of home and familiarity in a new place.
• New job – Beloved shows offer stability amidst professional upheaval.
• Relationship struggles – Old favorites counter loneliness and heartbreak.
• Losing a loved one – Rewatching helps grieving people self-soothe.
• Having kids – Parents rewatch pre-kid shows to reminisce about freer times.
• Illness – Sick people may lose interest in new stories but still enjoy old comforts.

During unstable times, rewatching offers continuity. But it shouldn’t become avoidance or your only coping mechanism. Seek support too.

Self-soothing the healthy way

Beyond rewatching, many other healthy strategies can provide nostalgia and comfort:

• Cook favorite childhood foods.
• Listen to playlists from your youth.
• Reread beloved books.
• Spend time reminiscing with old friends.
• Rediscover treasured toys or trinkets.
• Revisit meaningful, joyful places.
• View cherished photos or home videos.
• Play games you enjoyed as a kid.
• Write down happy memories.
• Treat yourself to small comforts like bubble baths or naps.

Relying solely on rewatching for self-soothing is limiting. Varying your comfort strategies promotes mental health.

Handling depression triggers while rewatching

For people prone to depression, aspects of rewatching favorite shows can inadvertently trigger sad feelings:

• Realizing beloved characters are gone
• Contrasting the happy fictional world with your real problems
• Feeling you’ve lost the wonder you originally felt
• Wishing you could return to the simpler time when you first watched
• Seeing younger versions of yourself and mourning lost youth
• Longing for the camaraderie of the fictional characters

If rewatching stirs up sadness, try these coping tips:

• Acknowledge the trigger and your feelings about it
• Remind yourself it’s just a show – don’t internalize messages about your worth
• Share feelings with friends who also love the show
• Take comforting actions like making tea, dimming lights, using a weighted blanket
• Counter the negative thoughts with positive affirmations
• Make plans to cultivate real-world friendships and interests

Being aware of potential triggers allows you to manage them in healthy ways.

Seeking treatment for excessive rewatching

If your rewatching habits are compulsively frequent, disrupt your daily functioning, or fuel avoidance of real-world issues, consider seeking professional support. A mental health provider can:

• Assess if an underlying mental health issue is at play
• Help identify triggers and thought patterns around rewatching
• Collaborate to set healthy boundaries around viewing habits
• Equip you with coping skills to break unhealthy rewatching cycles
• Teach techniques to reduce anxiety and lift depression
• Help cultivate new hobbies and social connections
• Aid you in building a fulfilling life beyond fictional worlds

Therapy and medication, if warranted, can help restore balance. Don’t be afraid to ask for support.

Finding fulfilling real-world activities

To break an unhealthy rewatching cycle, fill your time with enriching real-world activities:

• Social interaction – Make plans with supportive friends and family.
• Physical activity – Exercise releases feel-good endorphins.
• Creative pursuits – Write, paint, play music, work on DIY projects.
• Community service – Volunteer at a shelter, food bank, etc.
• Continuing education – Take a class and learn new skills.
• Reading – Pick up some new page-turning books.
• Spiritual practices – If applicable, attend services or study texts.
• Nature immersion – Spend time outdoors walking, hiking, gardening.

A healthy, balanced lifestyle leaves less need to use rewatching as an escape. Seek activities that energize and engage you.

Conclusion

In moderation, rewatching favorite shows can be a harmless pleasure that provides comfort and nostalgia. But excessive rewatching may sometimes indicate an underlying mental health issue like depression or anxiety. If your rewatching habits become compulsive, socially isolating, or an avoidance tactic, consider seeking professional support. Therapists can help you get to the root of what you’re feeling, build healthy coping strategies beyond rewatching, and cultivate a balanced lifestyle. With some effort, you can find fulfilling ways to soothe yourself in real life.