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Velvet Digest

Can TV shows trigger anxiety?

Author

Christopher Harper

Updated on May 11, 2026

Dr. Lieberman says that it is not uncommon for television shows to trigger anxiety and depression in their viewers. In fact, TV producers almost count on this reaction from viewers to keep them tuning in.

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Accordingly, can TV shows affect your mood?

We've known for a long time that the emotional content of films and television programs can affect psychological health. It can do this by directly affecting your mood, and your mood can then affect many aspects of your thinking and behaviour.

One may also ask, can TV shows cause depression? A study in Psychology Today proves what was long thought true: too much TV makes you depressed. Among the findings: TV watching didn't directly cause depression, but those with lower PA on certain days did tend to watch more TV the next day, which led to lower PA.

Then, what triggers anxiety?

A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances. Personality. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are. Other mental health disorders.

Is watching TV stressful?

But here's the rub: we frickin love watching TV. It definitely feels relaxing, and can release endorphins that make us feel good while we watch. Some psychologists say TV can be an effective way to relieve stress by distracting us from our overworked minds and daily worries.

Related Question Answers

What happens to your brain when you binge watch a TV series?

It is the brain's signal that communicates to the body, 'This feels good. When binge watching your favorite show, your brain is continually producing dopamine, and your body experiences a drug-like high. You experience a pseudo-addiction to the show because you develop cravings for dopamine."

How many hours a day should you watch TV?

five hours

What are the side effects of watching too much TV?

Here are some ways binge-watching negatively impacts health:
  • Weight gain and obesity.
  • Increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • Premature death.
  • Lower sperm counts.
  • RELATED: 4 Secrets of Willpower.
  • Antisocial or bad behavior in children.
  • Lower odds of survival after colon cancer.

Is watching a lot of TV bad for you?

Watching Too Much TV Is Bad for You, Even If You Also Exercise. The more time you spend watching television, the greater your risk may be for blood clots, according to a new study — even if you get plenty of exercise.

How does TV affect your mental health?

Scientific studies have shown that prolonged television viewing increases the risk of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes. It's also been linked to mental health problems like depression. And a recent Texas A&M study revealed that binge-watching is tied to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Can TV shows make you depressed?

Is Binge-Watching your Favorite TV Show Making You Depressed? Although the study does not conclude that binge-watching television causes depression, it suggests a connection. Spending eight hours watching episode after episode can leave you feeling empty and depleted afterwards.

Is TV bad for your brain?

Too Much TV Really Is Bad for Your Brain. The people in the study who watched more than 3 hours of TV per day on average over the next 25 years were more likely to perform poorly on certain cognitive tests, compared with people who watched little TV, the researchers found.

Does what you watch affect your personality?

There's new evidence that viewing habits can affect your thinking, political preferences, even cognitive ability. Other than sleeping and working, Americans are more likely to watch television than engage in any other activity.

What are the 6 types of anxiety disorders?

The most common are:
  • Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) A person feels anxious on most days, worrying about lots of different things, for a period of six months or more.
  • Social anxiety.
  • Specific phobias.
  • Panic disorder.
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Is anxiety a mental illness?

Anxiety disorders are different, though. They are a group of mental illnesses, and the distress they cause can keep you from carrying on with your life normally. For people who have one, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be disabling.

Is anxiety a chemical imbalance?

A chemical imbalance in the brain is said to occur when there's either too much or too little of certain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, in the brain. It's often said that mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

How do doctors treat anxiety?

Standard treatment for anxiety involves psychological counseling and therapy. This might include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or a combination of therapy and counseling.

How long can anxiety last?

Differences in duration. Anxiety is often related to a specific situation. It tends to build up and continue for some time. A panic attack starts suddenly, symptoms peak after 10 minutes and usually abate after 30 minutes or so, although the effects may last longer.

Why is anxiety so common?

Unfortunately, no one seems to have an exact answer as to why anxiety is so common, but many attribute factors such as social media, poor sleep habits, lowered stimga, and underreporting to the persumed increase in anxiety disorders.

What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a variety of symptoms. One of the most common is excessive and intrusive worrying that disrupts daily functioning. Other signs include agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles and trouble sleeping.

What is the main cause of anxiety attacks?

But long-term or chronic stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening symptoms, as well as other health problems. Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping meals, drinking alcohol, or not getting enough sleep. These factors can trigger or worsen anxiety, too.

What's the difference between stress and anxiety?

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another. The difference between them is that stress is a response to a threat in a situation. Anxiety is a reaction to the stress. But you can learn how to reduce the impact of stress and manage your symptoms.

Why is binge watching bad for you?

In a 2018 study, researchers found that prolonged sitting for binge-watching is similar to prolonged sedentary behavior for long-haul flights or illness: It can increase your risk of developing conditions such as deep-vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the leg that can be fatal if it breaks off and travels to the heart

Can you be addicted to TV?

There is no definition of television addiction on which all researchers agree. Recent studies have found that 2 to 12 percent of viewers see themselves as addicted to television: they feel unhappy watching as much as they do, yet seem powerless to stop themselves.