Has our celebrity obsessed culture gone too far when large numbers of individuals are being diagnosed with the psychological disorder Celebrity Worship Syndrome? Television, online platforms, magazines, social media outlets all churn out the latest news on celebrities. If it is not the latest romance they are discussing, it is the new look, if not that, the new movie. There is always something. Have we, the readers and viewers of this constant stream of updates, come out unscathed? According to the latest research, it seems not.
As with all psychological disorders, there is a spectrum to take into consideration from mild to extreme. If you occasionally flick through a celebrities Instagram or look to them for guidance on the latest fashion trends, there is probably nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if you are spending countless hours researching them, digging up every interview, speech or music clip they ever made, whilst obsessively thinking about the special relationship you have with them, there is likely to be a problem. What could start off as mere curiosity could lead into a full blown obsession.
Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS) is when an individual becomes overly involved with and obsessed with the details of the personal life of a celebrity. Interestingly, CWS is not uncommon. According to the British Journal of Psychology out of the 600 people studied, approximately a third qualified for the diagnosis of CWS. This occurs when the celebrity becomes the central figure in an individual’s life.
Not only is it a relatively ubiquitous disorder, it is also partly ingrained in our DNA. Since we are social animals, we tend to feel comfortable when there is a social hierarchy in place. At the top are the alpha males and females. They are our role models and we look to them for guidance. In our society, the alpha males and females are the celebrities. It is natural for us to admire and emulate them. When this natural phenomenon morphs into obsession, CWS emerges.
Many people tend to feel personal connections with the celebrities they worship, similar to a friendship. Usually decreases in self-esteem and social dysfunction follow after heavy online stalking of celebrities. This can also lead to increases in anxiety and depression, particularly when an individual’s feelings of friendship towards the celebrity are not reciprocated.
Although the media is not the singular cause of CWS, it has exacerbated the phenomenon. The mass media is constantly bombarding us with impossible images and expectations. It is an omnipresent force which is impossible to escape. The media fosters CWS and encourages it, as it is likely to get more viewers, sell more products, obtain more subscribers etc. from individuals with CWS as opposed to individuals who do not have that diagnosis. In short, it makes money off of people who have CWS. Celebrity worship is not a new phenomenon. It is only reaching new abnormal extremes because the media is reaching new pervasive and invasive extremes.
Celebrity worship is not intrinsically unhealthy. To an extent it can actually have positive effects. If an individual admires celebrity’s achievements, it could motivate that person to do something similar. Reading articles in magazines about celebrities could also be a diversion, a way to decrease stress and help one to relax.
Causes of CWS could be partly due to the media but also partly to do with the individuals themselves and the type of upbringing they were exposed to. If the individual grew up within a household whereby he or she did not have a role model to look up to, he or she may be more vulnerable to acquiring CWS. Also there is the problem of cause and effect. Does CWS cause depression and anxiety or vice versa? Furthermore, if one does not have a good support system and friends, one may be more susceptible to CWS.
In terms of interventions when managing CWS, it is important to look at the comorbid disorders as well, if there are any. These could include anxiety, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder. It is important to treat the symptoms of these related disorders potentially through psychotherapy, behaviour therapy or medication. Another intervention an individual with CWS can implement would simply be to keep busy and distracted. By keeping busy and engaged with other activities or through work, the individual would not be able to engage in obsessive stalking behaviors or other unhealthy behavior patterns. It is also important to work on gradually pulling oneself away from celebrity news and decrease time spent on online platforms. This can initially involve spending 10 less minutes online, then 15, then 20 and so on. It is also crucial to work on improving social relationships and making them more fulfilling and meaningful. Developing real connections with friends and family can help an individual realise how actual relationships are supposed to be and how they can foster intimacy, feelings of self-worth and enhance overall well-being.
References:
Carr, C. (n.d.). A New Age of Celebrity Worship. WebMD. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/new-age-celebrity-worship?page=2
Lewis, R (November 20, 2012). Does your child have celebrity worship syndrome? The National. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/well-being/does-your-child-have-celebrity-worship-syndrome
Angel. (2012). Celebrity Worship Syndrome Poor Health. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.sodahead.com/living/celebrity-worship-syndrome-cws-find-out-if-you-are-afflicted/question-2782961/?link=ibaf&q=&imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/polls/002782961/3020425845_Twifans_answer_1_xlarge.jpeg
Image credit: https://todaysmama.com/pop-culture/really-justin-bieber
