Reality TV Risks to Those With Co-occurring Disorders

Is reality TV harmful to its participants, particularly those with addiction issues? While it’s not fair to blame reality programs alone for problems its stars suffer once the cameras stop shooting, some media watchdogs question whether or not they bear some responsibility.

In fall 2010, British Big Brother star Nadia Almada was found lying unconscious in her bathroom after an overdose of prescription pills – just a week since she’d been kicked off the hit show.  

It begs the question, is the filming of these types of shows – and the instant fame that comes with being in front of the cameras 24-7 – too much to take? When shows have to make “aftercare facilities” available post-filming, it might seem that the answer is “yes.” Reality’s rise has brought with it a craze of reality contestant fatalities. Two chef contestants on a show helmed by the sometimes-brutal Gordon Ramsay have committed suicide. While Ramsay or reality shows as a whole can’t be held ultimately responsible, some mental health experts worry these shows are playing with psychological fire.

Reality TV Contestants May Face Mental Health Issues

“If you have a mental health problem like an addiction, some of these shows stir up the issues and bring them to the forefront. When the show ends you're left alone to deal with them, and some people aren't prepared for that," says Dr. Jamie Huysman, founder of Aftercare TV, a counseling program that provides support to reality show contestants after filming ends. "Other times people rely on these shows to generate fame or income, and when they don't it can lead to depression, bingeing or self-medicating."

Since 1997, there have been at least 12 suicides by former contestants on reality shows. Ryan Jenkins, a contestant on the VH1 show Megan Wants a Millionaire committed a murder-suicide shortly after filming ended. In 2008, a rejected contestant on American Idol fatally overdosed outside of Paula Abdul's home. That same year, a month after being eliminated from Paradise Hotel 2, Nathan Clutter climbed to the top of an Alltel cellular tower and jumped to his death. His family believed the 26-year-old may have suffered from bipolar disorder.

Rigorous psychological evaluations and background checks are part of many of these shows, and there are going to be disturbed people in every area of life, but the question is: can reality TV push a sane person over the edge? Add in common mental health issues like depression and bipolar or a propensity toward drug or alcohol addiction, and producers may be setting off a ticking time bomb.

Of course, other contestants have found financial success and launched amazing careers as a result of their appearances. But in order to keep ratings up, shows know they need at least a few unpredictable personalities in the mix. Then there are ordinary people, who, when put under great pressure, snap.

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