Nimhans clinic treats first case of ‘Netflix addiction’

Streaming platforms are all about instant gratification, and people binge-watch shows to manage their underlying moods, say doctors

Entertainment has always been a form of escapism, but streaming services that put up a show’s entire season that can be viewed on laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and other devices have increased a viewer’s susceptibility to binge-watching. It’s increasingly common for people to spend seven hours at a stretch watching the entire season of their favourite sitcom or thriller. But what if you can’t stop? How long do you spend sitting on the couch surfing shows and binge-watching films on video-on-demand platforms and streaming services?

Researchers in the city have found cases where people’s addiction has lead to a decline in efficiency at work and has also affected their interpersonal relations. Last week, the Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) clinic at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) in Bengaluru received its first case: A 26-year-old man who was unemployed and turned to Netflix to shut out reality for more than six months.

Manoj Kumar Sharma, professor of clinical psychology, Nimhans, who heads the SHUT clinic, said the man started spending more than seven hours a day binge-watching films and shows on Netflix as it helped him feel good. “Whenever his family pressurised him to earn a living, or when he saw his friends doing well, he would watch the shows on offer continuously. It was a method of escapism. He could forget about his problems, and he derived immense pleasure from it,” said Dr. Sharma.

When he woke up in the morning, the first thing he did was turn on the TV. But the pleasure was short-lived as the young man found that he was unable to exercise any form of self control. It led to eye strain, fatigue, and disturbed sleeping patterns. To help him overcome his addiction, doctors at the clinic are addressing his psychological issues through therapy, prescribing relaxation exercises, and guiding him in his career.

Unlike traditional television formats — where viewers have to wait a week to find out what happens next in a show — streaming platforms are all about instant gratification. People binge-watch to manage their underlying moods.

While the young man’s case is the most extreme form at the clinic, Dr. Sharma said that many of his patients being treated for online gaming addictions are also escaping into streaming platforms to watch shows.

Counsellors worried

Counsellors in educational institutions are also worried about this trend, and many have started conducting sessions for parents and students on early warning signs of addiction. Mansoor Khan, member, board of management, DPS (Bengaluru and Mysuru), said their counsellors had noticed that students as young as those in the 4th and 5th standards were addicted to shows. “The addiction interferes with the child’s academic performance and counsellors are advising students and parents to keep a close watch on the duration and the shows they watch,” said Mr. Khan.

“The best advice is to avoid the use of technology if it becomes a coping mechanism,” Dr. Sharma added.