Television addiction is a proposed behavioral addiction which can be described as excessive or compulsive watching of the television, which, despite serious issues that could develop over time, the addiction continues to persist.
Analysis The most recent medical review on this model concluded that pathological television watching behavior may constitute a true behavioral addiction, but indicated that much more research on this topic is needed to demonstrate this. The compulsion can be extremely difficult to control in many cases. The television addiction model has parallels to other forms of behavioral addiction, such as addiction to drugs or gambling, which are also forms of compulsive behavior.
Recognition Television addiction is not a diagnosable condition of DSM-IV.
See also Addiction Behavioral modernity Evolutionary mismatch Social aspects of television Television consumption TV Turnoff Week Video game addiction
References
External links Article by Michael D. Pollock "How I Overcame TV Addiction, Reclaimed My Life and Gained Two Extra Months Per Year" Reader's Digest Article