By otakuyassine3@gmail.com
Liam Payne dead at 31: Fans who are overly attached to a celebrity, mourn their death like it is a personal loss. But, it is important to draw a boundary and process emotions in a healthy manner, by seeking the support of other fans.
VERIFIED By: Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road
Written by Prerna Mittra |Updated : October 17, 2024 7:48 PM IST
Liam Payne Death News: In a news that shocked the world, Liam Payne, a former member of the internationally-acclaimed pop boy band ‘One Direction‘ died in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, after allegedly falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, where he had been staying. Payne was only 31; he leaves behind a seven-year-old son from a previous relationship. According to news reports, the English singer who was a part of many record-breaking songs in his short career, had been going through some issues. Moments before his death, emergency services were apparently called to his hotel after staff reported that a guest had been “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol”. They did not know if his life was at risk.
Fans of One Direction — who had hoped for a reunion after the members of the band went their separate ways in 2016 — are absolutely gutted. Social media is filled with videos and comments from people who feel devastated and destroyed, their hopes crushed. Someone wrote on Instagram that they are resisting the urge to physically throw-up. Another person said they are in denial. Fans gathered outside the hotel in Buenos Aires to light candles and express their shock, disbelief and grief. “We won’t see him again… What will we do now?” an inconsolable girl told the media.
Why Do Celebrity Deaths Affect Fans So Much?
Whenever a celebrity dies, their fans go into mourning, thinking of it as a personal loss — akin to losing a loved one, or a family member. It can take a heavy toll on their mental and emotional well-being, and also their physical health, unless they process their grief in a healthy manner. We reached out to Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, to understand more about celebrity-fan association, and what happens at the time of grief.
“The death of any celebrity — especially if they were a favourite — can be shocking. People try to relate to celebrities, their life experiences, or the characters they play. They invest in them emotionally, and get attached. People consider celebrities as their role models and try to follow them. Hence, they tend to react negatively, grieve, and find it difficult to accept [the death],” the doctor said.
She added that since fans form an “emotional bond with the celebrities”, death can create a big void. “One will be in denial, refusing to move on. If the death is sudden, there will be disbelief, sadness, and a sense of emptiness. People may even cry inconsolably. They may continue to mourn the death for months. The death of a celebrity can be a painful experience. The news can be disturbing.”
How Can Fans Process The Grief In A Healthy Manner?
Dr Anand suggested that one has to accept the reality and move on. “To process the death in a healthy manner, fans must practise self-care in the form of yoga and meditation, connect with others and share feelings. Instead of suffering in silence, they must consider joining a cause the particular celebrity was supporting.”
“Celebrity worship is often linked to problematic internet use and maladaptive daydreaming. It is better to know your boundaries,” the psychiatrist warned. She added that while it is all right to admire someone’s work, fans must never get too involved. “Celebrities have millions of fans; they cannot acknowledge the existence of every fan. So, do not go overboard. Admiring them is fine, but celebrity worship is not ideal. Celebrities should be given their privacy and space.”
Death Of A Celeb: How To Regulate Emotions?
If you are really upset, the doctor suggested doing the following things:
- Exercise to regulate your mood.
- Mourn the death with other fans or friends.
- Try to stay calm and composed instead of panicking.
- Accept how you feel and if need be, take professional help to overcome the pain.
- Do not carry the baggage of emotions with you for a lifetime. Moving on is beneficial for the mind and overall well-being.
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