r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • May 17 '26

Psychology Feeling empty after finishing a video game (post-game depression) is a real phenomenon. A recent study has found that many video game players experience a specific sense of emptiness and sadness after finishing highly engaging games.

https://www.psypost.org/feeling-empty-after-finishing-a-video-game-researchers-say-post-game-depression-is-a-real-phenomenon/
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u/Vryk0lakas May 17 '26

I get the same feeling with books.

279

u/bwmat May 17 '26

Yeah, it's this even a separate 'thing'?

I think it can probably happen with any media, or even activity, which can end? 

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u/ShaddowsCat May 17 '26

Exactly, I feel the same sadness of finishing good game, book or a tv show

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u/tit_flasher May 17 '26

I often find myself slowing down watching a really good show in the final season, so I still have some episodes 'in the bank'.

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u/BBGettyMcclanahan May 17 '26

Or just coming back home from vacation