Convention-goers all know that feeling: The weeks or months of excitement building up for a convention. A weekend where lovers of pop culture are free to be themselves and enjoy the media that makes their hearts race. There is no other feeling like entering a community where you share a common interest and excitement.

But what about after the convention and going back to normal life? When going back to school, work, or even back home, there is a huge drop in excitement. Following the convention, attendees often experience an intense feeling known as “Post-Con Depression” (PCD) and are longing to go back to that fun-filled weekend. 

In an interview with “Portrait of a Fangirl” creator Monica Duarte and podcast host Jenna Wrenn, the two speak with Lileana Roque, a licensed social worker and psychotherapist. The trio discuss everything PCD, from why the phenomenon occurs to how to combat it.

About Post-Con Depression

Also referred to as “Post-Events Blues” or “Post-Conference Letdown,” Roque explains that the extreme sadness is actually a chemical reaction in the brain that functions like addiction. Going from a high level of acceptance and validation, to a low level in everyday life, is what causes these intense feelings.

“Most people ‘get’ people’s hobbies, right? But most people aren’t invested equally into other people’s hobbies. So once you find a community that is, it enables each other and encourages each other,” Roque said. “There’s also competition. And there’s also a lot of external validation that’s going on that is addicting.”

Attending and cosplaying at a convention can be seen as a break from real life. But by presenting oneself’s true, authentic self for one weekend, rather than all the time, it can have some negative effects.

“So to just be healthy, we have to be our most genuine selves, you know, the majority of the time. That’s us embracing it, that’s other people embracing it,” Roque said. “So when you only have that one thing, all your eggs are in that basket. You don’t get to be your authentic self, and that’s detrimental. It can be detrimental to mental health.”

Roque stresses the importance of convention attendees having additional outlets besides conventions in order to be their genuine selves. She explains that having reasonable hobbies one can do alone can increase these feelings of joy and satisfaction. Working out, reading, or other reasonably priced hobbies that one can achieve on a normal day can improve one’s mental health and add to overall well being.

Having additional outlets that are not just fulfilling, but equally as fulfilling as attending a convention, is the key to combating PCD.

About “Portrait of a Fangirl” 

“Portrait of a Fangirl” is a series from the team at Temple of Geek. Initially a web series, it has expanded into a podcast, now in its second season. You can watch and listen both here and on our YouTube channel. Hosted by Jenna Wrenn, the project focuses on telling the stories of women who have found inspiration, growth, and power through fandom.