When a celebrity dies, it can feel like losing a loved one. Why do we get so invested in parasocial relationships? | Bianca Denny

These one-sided connections with famous people are a normal part of modern life. But sometimes they can lead to emotional distress The modern mind is a column where experts discuss mental health issues they are seeing in their work “It came as such a shock. I just can’t believe he’s gone.

” Psychologists are accustomed to seeing bereaved individuals. But working with Jodie* presented a unique challenge – she’d never met the person she was grieving. Jodie was reeling after the recent death of a well known singer. Despite not knowing the singer personally, Jodie’s grief and loss seemed as palpable as…