Post-series depression support group for Love and Redemption

If you've been left reeling after the end of a binge watch, here are a few ways to cope.

After Love and redemption ended, I desperately wanted something else to fill the void. And while it may help in the moment, but be careful what you chose. "Adopting another show to focus on in order to help cope with the dissatisfying ending may help get your mind off of things in the short term, but isn’t effective in dealing with the frustration from a lack of power and control in the way it plays out," she says. "You just become a victim to another writer's whims."

If you are going to use another show as a temporary coping mechanism, Dr. Jane Greer, a New York-based therapist, recommends something with less twists and turns (think, the latest stand-up special from your favorite comedian vs. binging an intense new crime drama). "If you watched something really powerful or riveting or filled with conflict, choose something lighter for your next show, like a comedy," she says. "Look for a show that’s easier to emotionally digest, and that will give you some relief from negative feelings."

Obviously, this is easier said than done. But if you know you're planning a binge, Forrest Talley, a psychologist practicing in California says scheduling an activity you enjoy directly afterward can be helpful for moving on. "Throw yourself fully into some activity that you are deeply interested in or passionate about," he says. "This shifts one's focus, enlivens 'living in the moment/in the present', and makes real life much more compelling than the fantasy television series that had riveted your attention earlier." Schedule a post-binge workout class, make plans with friends or have that project you swore you'd get around to laid out and ready to go once the credits roll.

Chances are you're not the only with unresolved feelings after your binge ended with a cliffhanger. Michal Strahilevitz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing at St. Mary's College of California, says finding others who are going through the same thing can help. "Sharing with real people is a healthy way to get reconnected with real life, but it also helps deal with the disappointment, sense of loss or whatever feelings are coming up," she says. "By talking about a show with others, we are connecting our fantasy entertainment life and the characters we were engaged with to our real life, and the real people we have real relationships with. That is a healthy way to take care of our health, happiness and sanity after a TV series binge."

By talking about a show with others, we are connecting our fantasy entertainment life and the characters we were engaged with to our real life, and the real people we have real relationships with.

Michal Strahilevitz, Ph.D.

The way we watch TV has changed, but thanks to the internet, there are plenty of places we can go to seek out theories, answers and even hidden clues brought to light by other fans, which Sonnenberg says can help ease that unresolved feeling. "Reading show reviews and comments online could help you gain perspective and deal with the frustration of not knowing what happens next," she suggests. "It might help you feel more connected and give you the sense of control that you were missing right after you finished watching."

Whether it's through social media, journaling, creating a video or trying your hand at fan fiction, Selepak says finding a creative outlet to get your frustrations on the ending out there can also be a coping mechanism. "There are entire communities around these shows — create fan fiction, make videos, talk and discuss as a way to continue these stories and life arcs," 

SOURCE: https://www.nbcnews.com/