Why I Feel Depressed After the End of a Favorite TV Series, Like ‘Stranger Things’

Today | 4 min read

On New Year’s Day, I hosted a “Stranger Things” finale watch party with a couple of friends. My husband even made a special dessert – pineapple upside down cake – for the occasion.

The ending was pretty satisfying, with none of my favorite characters dying. Still, after everyone left and went home, I started sobbing. Even though it may seem stupid, I realize that I was crying because one of my favorite TV shows was over. I remember feeling similarly when other favorite TV shows ended. I think it’s because I’ve gotten attached to the characters and the end of the show feels like losing a friend.

According to findings in a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, bonding with story characters can help relieve attachment insecurity. Characters can provide a safe, predictable source of connection and offer a relatable escape from real-world stressors. It’s a one-way relationship where you never have to worry about awkward silences or judgment.

I also think this finale hit fans like me even harder because it marked the end of the holidays. We’re dealing with post-holiday letdown, bills and/or seasonal affective disorder. We’re going back to work and getting back to the daily grind, so fans like me are collectively fixating on this.

Here’s what I’ve done to cope:

Letting myself grieve

I think one of the reasons I felt so sad about the end of “Stranger Things” was because it also marked the end of an era in my own life. Nine years is a long time, and a lot happened to me in those years. I met my now-husband the year the first season of “Stranger Things” came out. In that time, I moved three times, got engaged, got married and had a baby. 

It can feel sad when something has marked that much time in your life and then suddenly, it’s over. This is a normal feeling to have.

Putting down my phone

When mourning the end of a TV show, it can feel helpful to find like-minded people on social media who are mourning too. But sometimes “doom scrolling” on social media makes me feel worse. Many fans are posting videos complaining about the way the show ended, which has made me fixate on my sadness instead of moving on. That’s why I’ve made it a point to take a deep breath, leave my phone in another room and take some time for myself. This could be taking a warm bath, reading a book, exercising or eating dinner and actually focusing on the meal without scrolling at the same time. 

Reflecting on the ‘good times’

As a former nerd growing up with the trifecta – braces, glasses and acne – this show healed part of my inner child. It showed me that being a nerd is OK, even cool. If any of the main characters did die, it would have hit differently. I am thankful to this show for being a love letter to all the outcasts out there. That’s something to appreciate.

Also, while I may feel like I lost friends with the ending of the show, the good thing about streaming services is that I can go back and visit them whenever I want.

Finding something else to look forward to

My husband and I are planning a trip to Florida next month to escape the cold weather and visit my snowbird in-laws. For entertainment options, it could be as simple as finding something else to watch. I’ve loved HBO’s “Welcome to Derry,” Netflix’s “Fear Street” and Amazon Prime’s “Paper Girls” or “Fallout.”

Focusing on my underlying mental health

It’s cold, wet and dark outside, and that can worsen mental health for some. I’ve made it a point to take a step back and evaluate my own mental health. I know I struggle with seasonal affective disorder – a type of depression linked to seasonal changes. I know these feelings – low mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and feelings of hopelessness – are because of this, not just because of the end of a show.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to your primary care provider, who can treat behavioral health conditions or refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist for additional help. You can also visit bcbsm.com/mentalhealth.

Image: Courtesy of Monica Drake

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