Why do people get sucked up into soap operas? It is possible to become sucked into soap operas or addicted to them. This happens when an unsuspecting viewer may, by chance catch a soap opera on TV completely by accident. Places like laundromats,dorms or other public places where televisions are set to one channel[usually a soap opera] where the show is not chosen by the viewers. The viewer gets a taste of the soap opera by being forced to watch it. Then every time the viewer goes to that public place they watch the show again. This time they remember the characters and storyline from the last time they watched the show. The outcome of this terrible tragedy is addiction. They must see must happens next to Bill who divorced Cheryl who is having an affair with John who is really a closet homosexual etc.

Soap operas become addicting because they continue their stories from day to day. There is no ending in soap operas as there are during a regular TV series. There are no single episodes and there are rarely even two shows that are consecutive which are part of a single story or episode.

It is unfortunate that TV viewers who become addicted to soap operas are often sucked in after watching only two shows. TV viewers are lured back by the need to satisfy their innate curiosity,desire to "root" for their favorite character and a strong sense of loyalty. The story itself with its ability to continue from day to day can connect to the viewing audience because as in real life, our stories do not end after one single day, but continue on and on.

The continuing story of the soap opera creates an addictive and obsessive emotional reaction in the viewing audience. These addictions can destroy marriages and relationships,interfere with work performance and interfere with the living of a normal life. Soap opera addicts will do anything to get their daily "fix" of soap opera viewing.

Soap opera addicted audiences become obsessed with soap operas after being constantly exposed to divorce,unplanned pregnancies,affairs,weird nuns and rich playboys on a daily basis. This is worse than any known narcotic. These people are getting high by watching soap operas.

What can be done to prevent this terrible tragedy of soap opera addiction? If you own a TV break it. If the loved one in danger of addiction to soap operas watches TV in a public place break that one too. Seek professional help.

Learn more about this author, Danette M. Scott.
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