BWS Explained

Trent Yarwood

aus.sf.babylon5 Medical Jounal - Volume 1, Issue 1

BWS: Babylon 5 Withdrawal Syndrome


In the interest of Public Health and Well-being, I, Trent Yarwood, the group's Medical Science student-in-residence present to you the complete facts about a disease that is highly likely to decimate this newsgroup at the end of this week.


Babylon Withdrawal Syndrome -- The Current State of Knowledge

Aetiology (Causes) of BWS:

The specific agent causing this syndrome has been surmised not to be any form of invective micro-organism, nor any body abnormality, as in cancers (However, research into a Genetic factor predisposing for the condition is now in the pre-clincal phase). These suppositions, however, have not been conclusively proved, and therefore should not be ruled out.

The accepted theory of the aetiology is currently that a particular combination of psychological and environmental conditions are responsible. Specifically, if an individual tests as being a "fan" of the Television Science Fiction show "Babylon 5", and the stimulus of this show is removed, the disease will spontaneously develop.

It should be noted, that the severity of the syndrome is dependant on the level of these two causitive factors: a) The severity of the syndrome will be in proportion with the *SQUARE* of the level of obsession (although most sufferers prefer the term "enjoyment") with Babylon 5. Clearly this means that die-hard fans tend to fall at the exteme end of the case spectrum; b) The period of time for which Babylon 5 is not shown. This second point can become a significant problem, particularly due to TV Networks lack of concern about sf fans in general.


Pathogenesis of BWS:

The exact mechanism of action of BWS is not known, and is difficult to determine due to the largely psychological nature of the complaint. It is most unlikely that exposure to Babylon 5 causes either production of some substance in the body or the absorption of some extraneous matter (if any subjects are willing to particpate in this study, please contact the ASB5MJ). Therefore, the stimulus most likely modifies the output of some gland or nerve, affecting the production of a hormone or nerve impulse.

The ASB5MJ beleives that there is involvement of the Thalamus, the section of the brain responsible for focussing of attention, as well as the cortical region responsible for the so-called "higher functions" of the mind.

Something about Babylon 5 stimulates the thalamus into activating the sensory areas of the brain, focussing the subject on the show. This theory would indicate that the action of the thalamus in relation to Babylon 5 would have some sort of addictive quality, as seen with types of drugs and even the body's hormones (eg the "Adrenaline Junkie"). When the stimulus is not repeated at regular intervals, the body then begins to exhibit signs of withdrawal- The BWS.

The *REASON* that Babylon 5 elicts this abnormal response continues to elude researchers into the problem, as does what exactly it is about the show that causes the response. Sufferers of BWS believe that it is the Quality of the show that causes this addiction. As watching TV has absolutely no evolutionary or adaptive value, it is baffling to consider that a TV show would activate the pleasure/punishment pathways.

Furthermore, the fact that attention becomes focussed at the *very instant* that the show begins has lead some scientists to believe that there is some form of subliminal message in the first scene. A more viable theory is that the attention focussing occurs *in expectation* of the quality of the show. This sort of physiological response also occurs in other situations (eg nerves before speaking in public, or trembling with excitement).


Clinical Manifestations of BWS:

The BW Syndrome is not easy to classify or compartmentalise- this is due to the fact that the disease shows highly variable expressivity and penetrance amongst the population of sufferers. A small percentage may show almost no signs at all, ranging up to extreme cases in a few individuals.

Signs Include:

General:
  • Listlessness, Irritability & Boredom
  • Lack of enthusiam about matters formerly of interest
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Continual complaints about "Lack of Quality TV" or "Slackness of Ch. X"

Extreme Cases:

  • Rage directed at TV Stations or JMS about long hiatuses
  • Needless trolling of trekkies (possiblly to alleviate boredom)
  • Fluent aphasia (ie Lack of ability to hold a coherent conversation.
    This is indicative of B5 addiction to a level where it has begun to dominate all thought processes and conversations)

These symptoms can be compounded by other B5-related obsessive disorders (The various hormonal imbalances resulting in the different strains of the disease "Lustlistitis". Note that multiple strains can be present in certain individuals. Care should be taken, lest they turn into ravening sexual psychopaths. Lustlistitis Garibaldius (also known as L JerryDoylis) seems particularly potent, as does L. GKarius.)

One important positive aspect of the Syndrome is that a Thursday night insomnia that is an important diagnostic sign of a patient in remission is cured.


Again, due to the vast variability of expression amongst the population, this syndrome is difficult to give a definitive list of symptoms for. Medical personel should ask the patient about risk signs during seasonal hiatuses. Patients exhibiting the above signs, or other unexplainable psychological conditions during the period are likely to be sufferers.


Treatment and Prophylaxis:

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no known method of curing BWS. The symptoms can be alleviated by showing the patient videos of Babylon 5. Note that arc- or wham-episodes tend to have greater effect. Books, comics, CD's or other forms of merchandising may have a lesser effect in some patients.

Upon resumption of the stimulus, the disease will usualy spontaneously remit.

Prevention of infection is only possible by not watching Babylon 5 (although a proportion of the population seem to be immune, particularly those susceptible to The Star Trek Obsessive Disorder). Those who do suffer the disease may prevent manifestation of the symptoms by taping episodes to watch during the hiatus.


Prognosis:

Once the initial infection has taken place, the condition seems to be carried for life, although this may not be the case. When the patient goes into remission, the disease will usually lie dormant for a period of 22 weeks (smaller, week-long outbreaks will lengthen this period accordingly) and then a relapse will occur.

As the series Babylon 5 has a finite lifetime, it is only possible to speculate on the consequences of this disease once the series ends once and for all. It is likely that there will be a number of sufferers who will go insane, and probable that there are a number with such a mild case as to be able to move on. The effects on the population as a whole will remain unknown for quite some time.


Conclusion:

The BWS will remain as a serious health problem amongst the members of this newsgroup, and is likely to be responsible for a serious decline in the amount of traffic this group sees (although this could be perceived by some as a positive benifit).

It is the hope of the ASB5MJ that this post has informed you as to the risks you run in your day to day lifes, and may prepare you in some measure for the tough times ahead.


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