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title: Lonely, Depressed People Are More Likely to Binge-Watch TV
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# Lonely, Depressed People Are More Likely to Binge-Watch TV

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/QLgnQEN9.m3u8" -->
## Video: How to Stay Mentally Strong When You Think You're About to Crack

[Watch (HLS stream): How to Stay Mentally Strong When You Think You're About to Crack](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/QLgnQEN9.m3u8) (0:39)

![How to Stay Mentally Strong When You Think You're About to Crack](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QLgnQEN9/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2016-01-27_


by 

[Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/)


## Sarah Begley


Jan 30, 2015 1:44 PM UTC

by 

[Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/)


## Sarah Begley


Jan 30, 2015 1:44 PM UTC

Turns out that a _Walking Dead_ marathon may not be a healthy way to bust stress at the end of a long week: a study from the University of Texas [has found that](http://deadline.com/2015/01/binge-watching-linked-to-depression-and-loneliness-1201362817/) people who struggle with loneliness and depression are more likely to binge-watch television than their peers. The activity provides an escape from their unpleasant feelings.

Unsurprisingly, they also found that people with low levels of self-control were more likely to binge-watch, letting the next episode auto-roll even when they knew they should be spending their time more productively.

The researchers said that binge-watching should no longer be seen as a “harmless addiction” and pointed out that the activity is related to obesity, fatigue and other health concerns.

\[[_Deadline Hollywood_](http://deadline.com/2015/01/binge-watching-linked-to-depression-and-loneliness-1201362817/)\]


## Transcript

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ].

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