The authors (who based their definition of problematic binge watching partly on my components model of addiction) used a questionnaire they developed in an earlier study to assess problematic binge watching among participants. The researchers wanted to understand some of the factors underlying problematic binge watching. In the latest study on this topic, a research team in Poland surveyed 645 young adults, all of whom reported that they had watched at least two episodes of one show in a single sitting. But research into this phenomenon is growing. We also don't have accurate estimates of the prevalence of problematic binge watching. Like many other behavioral addictions, such as sex addiction, work addiction and exercise addiction, binge watching addiction is not officially recognized in any psychiatric manuals. A person who only fulfills some of these may be exhibiting problematic binge watching, but wouldn't be classed as addicted by my criteria. In my view, any person who fulfills these six components would be genuinely addicted to binge watching.

If the person manages to temporarily stop binge watching, when they engage in the activity again, they go straight back into the cycle they were in previously (relapse).

The person experiences psychological and/or physiological withdrawal symptoms if they're unable to binge watch (withdrawal).

The number of hours the person spends binge watching each day has increased significantly over time (tolerance).

Binge watching compromises key aspects of the person's life like relationships and education or work (conflict).

The person engages in binge watching as a way of reliably changing their mood: to feel better in the short-term or to temporarily escape from something negative in their life (mood modification).

Binge watching is the most important thing in the person's life (salience).

In relation to binge watching, this would mean: Over many years studying addiction, I've argued that all addictive behaviors comprise six core components. As with other addictive behaviors, more important is whether binge watching is having a negative impact on other aspects of the person's life. Problematic binge watching isn't defined by the number of episodes watched (although most researchers agree it's at least two in a row), or a specific number of hours spent in front of the TV or computer screen.

Unsurprisingly, during COVID lockdowns, research shows many of us spent more time binge watching than usual.īut can binge watching become problematic or addictive? And if you can't tear yourself away, what can you do? The proliferation of streaming services over recent years has made it very easy to do.

Today, millions of us-including me-regularly consume our favorite series in this way.

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