Health
Grieving the loss of your favorite TV show? You’re not alone, study suggests: 'Perfectly understandable'
Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it comes to a favorite television show, a study found.
When the long-running Australian soap opera series “Neighbours” was canceled after 37 years, there was considerable uproar from its loyal fans.
Surveyed viewers said they experienced emotions of grief as if they had lost a good friend.
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Dr. Adam Gerace, a senior psychology lecturer at Central Queensland University in Australia, launched the study to better understand the factors that stirred up the fans’ raw emotions.
“We often feel a sense of loss when our favorite television series ends because we form relationships with our favorite characters,” Gerace told Fox News Digital.
A psychologist launched a study to better understand the factors that stirred up fans’ raw emotions when a favorite TV show ended. (iStock)
“When a series ends or a [favorite] character dies, people often report feeling sadness and disbelief, almost as if an important relationship is ending in their lives.”
The research was published in the journal PLOS One on June 12.
Understanding ‘parasocial relationships’
Psychologists refer to this phenomenon — in which viewers develop a one-sided connection with the characters in their favorite show — as a “parasocial relationship.”
In previous studies, researchers found that the intensity of the parasocial relationship is the strongest predictor of breakup distress.
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Gerace, the study author, recruited fans of “Neighbours” who lived in Australia and the U.K. to share how they felt that the series was coming to a close.
“I surveyed fans about their feelings of loss and sadness, their reasons for watching the series, how they felt about their [favorite] characters, and to what extent they felt they were able to commemorate the end of this series,” he told Fox News Digital.
The cast of “Neighbours” are shown attending the finale event on June 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Getty Images)
Of the 1,289 respondents who answered the survey, 76% were female, with a mean age of 45.
Ninety percent of them viewed an average of five episodes a week. The majority watched the show alone.
“Fans who experienced greater sadness, disbelief and downheartedness were those who were committed to the series,” Gerace said.
“We often feel a sense of loss when our favorite television series ends because we form relationships with our favorite characters.”
Despite feeling shocked that the series ended, the viewers said they felt grateful for having had the series in their lives.
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“They watched it for entertainment and excitement, which makes sense given that it’s a drama serial or soap opera, as well as to think about social issues and be exposed to lifestyles and situations they might not encounter in the everyday world,” he added.
Those who developed stronger connections with their favorite characters experienced more grief and a greater sense of loss.
A ‘virtual friend group’
“The study captures the effects I would expect from regular viewers of a long-running series,” Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Newport Beach, California, told Fox Digital News.
Rutledge was not involved in the study.
Streaming now allows people to revisit shows that have ended, so they can experience the same comfort of seeing “old friends,” especially during difficult times, an expert said. (iStock)
Shows like “Neighbours” create a “virtual friend group,” she said — similar to the ensemble casts in such shows as “Friends,” “The Office” and “Cheers” and how fans felt when those shows came to a close.
“Some people find a show … more gratifying than an unsatisfactory job or unreliable friendship.”
Gerace echoed that sentiment, noting that the feelings of sadness and loss that these viewers felt are likely to be similar for other series, including TV shows, movies and books.
“So, if you felt sad and downhearted at the end of ‘Lost’ or ‘Game of Thrones’ or are dreading the end of ‘Yellowstone,’ it’s perfectly understandable,” he said.
Positive effects of parasocial relationships
“Most studies support the positive effects of parasocial relationships in terms of positive emotions, belonging, mindset and social skills,” Rutledge pointed out in an email.
Streaming also now allows people to revisit shows that have ended, so they can experience the same comfort of seeing “old friends,” especially during difficult times, she continued.
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“During the social isolation of the pandemic, ‘The Office’ and ‘Friends’ were at the top of the most-streamed lists because they provided a sense of belonging and connection, decreasing loneliness,” Rutledge added.
Many shows aren’t only entertaining, but can also help people navigate their own lives.
Many shows aren’t only entertaining, but can also help people navigate their own lives, a psychologist said. (iStock)
“Viewers can find meaning and gain insights from the storylines and relationships that they find applicable to their own lives, such as a better understanding of their own emotions or how to handle certain challenges and life choices,” Rutledge said.
“Some people find a show … more gratifying than an unsatisfactory job or unreliable friendship.”
Viewers’ reactions to a show’s cancellation often depend on their individual circumstances.
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“Some parasocial relationships are directly linked to characters, where someone identifies strongly with a character and experiences the show through them, while others have a sense of immersion in the show without the loss of self,” Rutledge said.
The study has several limitations, Gerace acknowledged.
“Thinking about what the show meant and appreciating how it contributed positively to your life can provide some perspective and acceptance,” a psychologist advised. (iStock)
Many who completed the survey described themselves as “big fans” of the show, and the research did not assess how their sense of grief changed over time.
“My sample did consist of viewers who were quite involved in the series. More casual viewers are likely to have experienced less negative reactions to the end of the series,” Gerace said.
Look for ‘new psychological adventures’
People should not feel embarrassed if they have feelings of loss or distress after their favorite show ends, the experts agreed.
“Thinking about what the show meant and appreciating how it contributed positively to your life can provide some perspective and acceptance,” Rutledge said.
The study included viewers who were “quite involved” in the series and were more likely to have experienced negative emotions, the researcher said. (iStock)
One way to deal with the loss is to connect with other fans on social media to share that grief and trade favorite moments or characters.
“Nothing will be as rewarding as the old show in terms of comfort, familiarity and emotional engagement — however, pining for the past for too long isn’t healthy,” Rutledge said.
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“Appreciating the lost show and thinking about the things you valued can help a fan look for new characters and storylines that create new psychological adventures.”
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The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.
The organization released the update in its flagship journal on Wednesday, noting that the new recommendations “re-affirm” that adults at average risk should be screened for colorectal cancer at age 45 and continue through 75, for those with a life expectancy greater than 10 years.
In addition to the standard colonoscopy, the ACS also recommends that patients receive a blood-based screening test in a doctor’s office, which is designed to detect tumor DNA in the blood.
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The ACS also suggested an at-home screening option that looks for hidden blood and molecular markers in stool samples.
These new guidelines reflect recent advancements in disease detection, as well as a “critical shift in public health strategy to expand screening options and lower barriers to access,” the ACS stated in a press release.
The ACS recommends blood-based testing and at-home stool sampling as options for colorectal cancer screening. (iStock)
Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the report, wrote in a statement that colorectal cancer should be emphasized as a “highly preventable disease as much as a treatable one.”
“By offering more screening tools in our guideline update, more eligible adults will be able to participate in lifesaving colorectal cancer testing, helping to close the screening gap and catch more cancers at an earlier, treatable stage,” he added.
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According to the ACS, colorectal screening “dramatically improves survival,” as studies show early-stage detection yields a five-year survival rate of more than 90% in the U.S.
About one in three American adults are eligible for colorectal cancer screening but have not been tested, although ACS research marks colorectal cancer as the top cancer killer of adults under 50.
Colorectal cancer is the top cancer killer of adults under the age of 50, according to the ACS. (iStock)
People at a high risk of colorectal cancer may need to begin screening before age 45 or be screened more often, the ACS added. Those over 85 years old should no longer be screened for colorectal cancer, per the guidelines.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, commented that “no matter which test you choose, what’s most important is to get screened, and that includes underserved, rural and minority populations.”
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These guideline changes follow a surge in colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger individuals. Recent ACS research revealed a 50% relative increase in diagnoses in adults aged 45 to 49 from 2021 to 2022.
Dr. Aparna Parikh, medical director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at the Mass General Cancer Center, who is not affiliated with the ACS, shared that experts don’t “entirely understand why” cases are on the rise.
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“But it seems to be an interplay of a person’s risk factors, overall makeup and early exposures,” she previously told Fox News Digital. “[Those] include dietary exposures, environmental exposures and possible antibiotic exposures, as well as lifestyle factors in the right host.”
Changes in bowel habits are the primary red flag that should raise the suspicion of colorectal cancer. (iStock)
Another recent ACS study found that drinking heavily and consistently over an adult’s lifetime could lead to a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Other known risk factors include family history, obesity, smoking, a diet high in red and processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and a personal history or family history of polyps.
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While there may be no symptoms of colorectal cancer before diagnosis, especially in the early stages, certain symptoms should not be overlooked, experts say.
Dr. Eitan Friedman, PhD, an oncologist and founder of The Suzanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, confirmed to Fox News Digital that changes in bowel habits are the primary red flag that should raise the suspicion of colorectal cancer.
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Other symptoms include fatigue as a result of anemia, stomach pain or abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, weakness and unexplained weight loss.
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The sudden death of Kyle Busch has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical progression: when pneumonia escalates into fatal sepsis.
An ER doctor spoke with Fox News Digital about how sepsis can trigger a rapid health decline.
“Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather the syndrome that occurs when the body has certain abnormal findings and a presumed infection,” said Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a South Carolina-based emergency medicine physician.
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The markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and elevated heart and respiratory rates, according to Perry. Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition.
In the wake of Kyle Busch’s sudden passing, there is a focus on the rapid decline from pneumonia to fatal sepsis. (Getty; iStock)
While many people assume a worsening infection means bacteria are multiplying uncontrollably, it often has more to do with the body’s internal environment.
“It is often not the bacteria itself that is causing the specific decline,” Perry said. “In most cases, it is a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection.”
When this inflammation spirals out of control, the body moves from having a manageable infection into severe sepsis. This is when otherwise healthy people can rapidly deteriorate.
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“The concerning thing that can happen with any individual … is that sepsis can then lead to low blood pressure, worsening vital signs and organ damage,” Perry said.
“As multiple organs fail, it becomes very difficult for the medical team to treat and can sometimes lead ultimately to death.”
“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family shared in a statement. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It is very unlikely to have pneumonia and not have any symptoms, according to Perry. Early signs can mimic a severe flu, including fevers, chills, a productive cough, and chest or back pain in cases where the lung is infected.
When sepsis begins to take hold, time becomes the most critical factor. “We have known for a number of years that early antibiotic therapy is beneficial in the treatment of sepsis,” Perry said.
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If you or a loved one are managing an infection at home, the doctor says the following red flags mean you should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.
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- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- A racing heart rate or fever that continues to worsen even after starting treatment
- Severe chest pain associated with a productive cough
The slide into sepsis is, in most cases, a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection, the doctor said. (iStock)
While cases like Busch’s are tragic, Perry stressed that this shouldn’t cause widespread panic. Most patients with pneumonia do very well with standard oral antibiotics.
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The NASCAR star’s rapid decline underscores the importance of medical vigilance and “having a primary care physician with whom you have a good relationship,” according to the ER doctor.
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“Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate plan for most patients,” he added.
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