Help! I think I have a TV show obsession!

Dear Reader,

The small screen has played a big role in American life since the earlier part of the twentieth century. In fact, with half of Americans' leisure time spent in front of the telly, mental health professionals now believe that TV may be addictive. Does your TV show obsession negatively affect your real-life relationships? Does keeping up with your favorite shows get in the way of your daily activities? If so, you may have an addiction.

Psychologists and scholars have devised a host of different explanations for why TV is so addictive. Some believe that humans are drawn to TV by the "fairytale factor:" TV shows engage humans in a story that allows them to live vicariously through another person's experiences. For instance, even if you're not a fabulous singer, you may be able to channel what Kurt, Rachel, and Finn feel when you're watching them belt out tunes on Glee. People may also be hypnotized by TV because of the audiovisual smorgasbord that it allows them to feed on with just a quick click of the remote.

Television may also give people respite from the stress or worry of everyday life. Studies show that people who tend to watch more TV often report feeling anxious or lonely when they're not in front of the tube. TV may offer a virtual connection with the characters on the screen that viewers may not feel in their own social life. If you find yourself relying on TV for companionship, relaxation, or entertainment in place of other activities, you may want to try the following:

Keep a log: Log how many hours of TV you watch every day, how you feel before you grab the remote, and how you feel after you shut off the TV. Calculating just how much time you're spending in front of the TV and understanding what may be compelling you to get so wrapped up in these shows may give you a better idea of how to curb your habits. As a gauge, watching just two hours of TV a day adds up to spending an entire month of every year glued to the tube.

Remember your favorite non-TV activities: Do you enjoy reading, playing sports, or hanging out with friends? Post a list of your favorite activities in a place (like on the refrigerator) where you'll see it and remember some fun alternatives to watching TV. You mentioned your interest in show business; perhaps you can look into taking some film classes or auditioning for a play.

Take a TV breather: Try not watching TV for one week. Instead, fill the time that you would normally use watching your favorite shows with some of the non-TV activities you listed. Take a walk, make dinner with a friend, or hit up the gym. This may also be a good opportunity to go out and meet new people with whom you have common interests. Try joining a sports team or checking out on-campus groups if you're a student.

You're not alone in your love for TV, but if your dependence is negatively affecting your everyday life, you could be addicted. Your obsession and jealousy of the characters from your favorite shows increases that likelihood and may be something you want to discuss with a mental health professional. Columbia students can do this by contacting Counseling and Psychological Services at x4-2878. Just remember, it's a big world — something that's easy to forget if you spend most of your time in front of the small screen.