Experts warn of 'Avatar blues'

Pandora population are known as Na'vi

Sci-fi film sensation Avatar is set to smash box office records but has plunged some fans into the depths of depression.

The adventure, created by Titanic director James Cameron, is about to become the all-time biggest earning animation film.

Avatar tells the story of a future in which humans are engaged in a war of the worlds after plundering minerals from the Na'vi, inhabitants of a planet named "Pandora".

But large numbers of fans have become obsessed with the grim predictions of human extinction embodied in the film and some have sought counselling.

Renowned expert on depression Dr David Kato, from Bristol Hypnotherapy Depression Clinic, said films have forced people into depression, even suicide.

Dr Kato said: "It is extremely rare but people in deep depression have commited suicide after watching a film related to their case.

"People suffering from depression already have that negative way of thinking and any film in life can have an effect on different people.

"Depression influences the way people think after watching a film. If a person is already feeling particularly down, whether it be the death of a family member or losing their job, such films can push people over the edge."

Psychologist, Dr Cary Cooper also warned that the film could indeed have significant effects.

Lancaster University professor Dr Cooper said: "Adults who are already suffering from depression could really be badly affected.

"Films can indeed be a trigger, they can have a downbeat impact on people and children could be more vulnerable."

One Avatar fan Tony Green, of Liverpool, told how he had become depressed.

Office worker Tony, 32, said: "People today convince themselves that they are happy, possibly because we have only each other to compare our happiness with.

"We are too preoccupied with work and everything else to stop and think what would really make us happy.

"We all just accept our way of life, because we don't really have much of a choice.

"Avatar changes that.

"It makes you believe that a world like Pandora can exist, and it gives us hope.

"Seeing the Na'vi live at peace with their planet, and with each other, makes you stop and think about the life you live, and it makes you realise that you are in fact not happy at all."

Another fan, Jenny Williams added: "We see a world where everyone works together, loves each other and respects each other and the planet.

"Ours is so tragically different. It makes us sad to see the blatant differences and how life would be if we changed things."

Another member of an "Avatar" forum, named Ellie said: "When I woke up this morning after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed...grey.

"It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning.

"It just seems so...meaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep...doing things at all. I live in a dying world."

Avatar has already grossed 1.4billion dollars and could claim Titanic's title as the most financially successful movie of all time.

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