[Switch]

Okay, so I just admitted that the amount of TV I watch might be excessive, and a possible addiction... and now I have to figure out if I care. Well,I do care, but do I care enough to stop?

To put this into perspective, I'm averaging a season of TV a day for the last week+. I just went to calculate the exact stats on Nextflix, and it only has room to hold my last 2.5 days history because that's how much I've watched.

TV is an escape from reality. It means I don't have to have fun adventures for myself since I can live them vicariously through TV. I can go to space, or ancient Egypt, or learn about something, or pretend I'm in high school again. I've barely left my bed because of it. And TV can sometimes be the reason I don't kill myself: I haven't watched all of this series so I can't kill myself I have to finish it first.

I know that's super pathetic... but I don't think I have anything else to do. I miss having a life and having fun, but even as a kid I'd often skip play-dates to watch TV. Even now, I don't like leaving because it means I have to pause.

The only time I didn't watch TV like this was when I was obsessed with D&D and use to play with friends online for hours (and a few times, days) at a time.

Just thought I'd put that out there so I can't take it back anymore, and pretend that I'm not aware of what I'm doing to myself.

[shoez]

We all have our obsessions. I for example spend all day online. and if im not in front of my computer im browsing on my phone.
I think if you really think its starting to interfere, try to take up a new hobby
its not pathetic, its just you wanting to do what we all do, escape reality. I do it all the time, sometimes when i draw, or when i read, or when i watch movies.
I dont think theres anything wrong with it, but if its bothering u maybe you can go to events at your school, or join a club, or something.

I just joined a support group in my area, and sometimes I go to events that are on campus, sometimes I pathetically go by myself, but it gets me out of the house, even if people think im a loner

(((Switch)))

[KeepGoing8]

I 2nd that Switch. I seriously need an Intervention for my addiction to Intervention
Watching stuff CAN be a coping mechanism and an alternative to SU and SI, but your human body needs physical stimulation and exertion, not just mental, and also, participatory mental stimulation is much healthier for the brain than passive taking in of stimuli (er, watching stuff) Have you any interest is film, photography, or other visual art? Putting just a little of your time into physically active and/or participatory mental activities will help you feel better about yourself and life. This is advice I've gleaned from personal experience AND from watching documentaries on the brain on Netflix, and spending hours online following the Internet rabbit hole of endless information...hehe. So...I learned from my addiction to TV & Internet...and that's good...but I know to stay sane, I gotta mix it up and give my over-active brain some room to play!

[Switch]

I think you're right. I'm trying to do other things besides TV (though I just got a new TV as a birthday present ), and it's working out okay. I've gone to a concert, and a few movies with friends, and I've been out a lot more. I've also started reading again.

I've noticed I feel better, less 'sick', but I'm still not "good". I'm not happy, and I feel empty or overwhelmed a lot. That's likely just depression though (yay BP!).

I'm going to try and keep this up, but I don't know how long I can. I want to just retreat again into a place that I don't have to think and act I can just imagine and exist. Maybe I can get that from books, and it'll be a bit healthier. Probably not... at least not healthier.

Thank you guys for the advice. I could also try and knit and watch TV? *sigh* right now I'm going to go to bed. lol.

[roads]

There's something else we can consider as part of this picture, too. The so-called "functioning adult" in our society is often perceived by those closest to him/her as not exactly relating fully in a healthy way with their own reality. For example ...

What about the executive so involved in job advancement that one's own child is a virtual stranger? Is attending absolutely every company function really necessary to "make it"? Or is the parent using work as an equivalent of TV to escape the humdrum life of parenting a three-yr-old?

And then there are wives so involved in volunteering in church activities that husband and school-age children either learn to cook or learn about Take Out Dining. What's up there ... huh?

Etc, etc, etc ...

[(JD)]

There is a lot of positive to be said about distractions when those distractions help keep you from bad thoughts, and worse actions. Use distractions as much as you need to for now. Once you have healed more, you will find you won't need as much distraction from the life you now need to avoid some.

[LadyShadow]

Hello Switch,

I often wonder about this too. Throughout my life I always escaped through TV. My father was rather strict growing up and didn't allow me to go out to play so I often got lost in TV land. As I got older, I watched it less when I had a job and a "life" if you consider having a life was partying and drinking heavily.

Now that things have calmed down, and I have come to terms with my illness, got the therapy I needed, and the meds to help me, I find myself withdrawing back into TV land. I watch hours of TV and spend even more hours on the internet. There is no wrong doing in what I am doing because I look at it like this, watching tv is better than going out and drinking and doing drugs and making our illness worse.

Bi-polar is tricky. Our moods are low and we feel relaxed when watching tv, but its like our minds are always working overtime. I wonder if anyone else experiences this. Like right now, I am watching a tv show, but I am here writing posts on this site. It's like I'm satisfying both addictions!

I'm glad to hear you've gone out a few times with friends and such and have gotten out of the house. That can be really helpful. I was really starting to recover when I was in school and I had a reason to get out of bed and a place to go every day. Now that I graduated, I feel lost again and kind of retreated back into TV land and Internet World.

The only real joy I have right now, is my favorite tv shows and my internet gaming time. I also started reading a lot too. I don't know if that's a good substitute but at least I'm outside at the park or in my backyard when I read my book, not locked away in my tv "cave".

But escape into TV land, isn't that bad, I think. Maybe I'm trying to justify it because I can totally relate and am in the same place myself. I don't know. I feel like life is out there just passing me by while I'm at home with my tv.

Weird.

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