Lost in the narrative: A case study on pathological digital fiction reading

The shift in reading habits due to technological advancements has led to a rise in digital fiction reading in recent years. We discuss the case of a 21-year-old ardent reader who has an uncontrollable urge to read and spends excessive hours reading despite adverse consequences. The patient would ignore social activities, academic responsibilities, and self-care; further, the patient used digital fiction reading to cope with negative feelings, lack of skills, and feelings of inadequacy and guilt. Psychological evaluations indicated that the behavior was motivated by underlying anxiety and escape tendencies. The patient made significant progress with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The sessions also focused on his perfectionism, self-esteem, and other skill deficits. This case highlights the significance of identifying digital fiction reading as a potential behavioral addiction. It emphasizes the importance of customized interventions to address underlying psychological causes while preserving the therapeutic benefits of reading.