[MalcolmPF]

Exactly. These are the symptoms of a withdrawal from escapism. You could replace "VR" in the article by many other kinds of absorbing experiences. Not to discredit the author's own personal findings, it's probably a healthy thing to be self-aware of these feelings. And there might be something to VR that makes the contrast of detachment more intense.

[ethanbond]

Well in the author's opinion it's actually not the same. That's why he specifically points out counter examples of non-VR experiences which have similar but notably less intense effects.

It's still an opinion, sure, but the author did address this comparison.

[sdoering]

Reading this I felt reminded of my experiences playing for Liverpool Action Role Playing. Being in character for several days and totally escaping get the outside world - then shedding the costume and sitting in a car on the motorway back home.

Well talk about post adventure depression.

Then walking up to the door of your longtime girlfriend and knowing get what was awaiting me - talk about remedy.

Escapism in the former of a holiday from reality might be great - but reality has it's own perks.