Concertgoers know the rush all too well — the moment the first notes play, your heart races, and nothing else seems to matter. For many, the excitement doesn’t end when the lights come back on. Some fans try to relive the performance by listening to the same songs for days afterward. __1__ A few days after an amazing show, they begin to feel unexpectedly low. Psychologists have coined a term for this phenomenon: “post-concert depression,” or “PCD.”
PCD is primarily related to hormone levels. When you’re at a concert, the excitement causes your brain to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. __2__ In the days after the concert, as those chemicals gradually return to normal, some people notice a clear drop in mood.
The explanation goes beyond just biology, though. Concerts often represent much more than a night of entertainment. __3__ Feeling connected to the artist can be incredibly fulfilling. When the event wraps up, it’s natural to have a distinct sense of something missing.
Photos: AdobeStock 照片: AdobeStock
Moreover, concerts create a rare sense of belonging in a world where people often feel disconnected. You’re surrounded by people who are connecting with the same music and sharing the same emotions. __4__
Fortunately, PCD usually doesn’t last long, and there are steps you can take to get through it. Playing your favorite songs from the show can help sustain the emotional connection. Watching videos or looking at photos from the concert can also bring back vivid memories. Rather than focusing on the ending, reflect on how meaningful the experience was. The post-concert low will pass, but the joy and connection you felt will stay with you much longer.
演唱會觀眾對那股亢奮感再熟悉不過了──前幾個音符響起時，你的心跳加速，而其他一切似乎都無關緊要。對許多人來說，即使燈光重新亮起，興奮感也不會消失。有些粉絲會在之後幾天聆聽同樣的歌曲來試圖重溫演出的美好。然而，有些人會有負面反應。在精彩演出結束後幾天，他們會開始感到意外地低落。心理學家為這種現象創造了一個名詞：演唱會後憂鬱症，或稱為 PCD。
Photos: AdobeStock 照片: AdobeStock
PCD 主要與荷爾蒙濃度有關。演唱會當下，興奮感會讓大腦分泌如多巴胺和腦內啡等讓人感覺愉悅的化學物質。然而，大腦無法讓這些化學物質維持在高濃度太久。演唱會結束後的幾天，隨著那些化學物質逐漸恢復正常，有些人會感受到情緒明顯變低落。
不過對此現象的解釋並不僅限於生理面向。演唱會所代表的往往不只是一晚的娛樂。對於忠實粉絲來說，演唱會也可能會成為他們身分認同的重要部分。感受到與藝人心連心會帶來巨大的滿足感。當演出結束，心裡自然會出現明顯的空缺感。
此外，在人們常常感到疏離的世界裡，演唱會創造了一種難得的歸屬感。圍繞在你身邊的人和你都對同樣的音樂產生共鳴且有著相同情感。演唱會上人們感受到的這種團結會加劇演唱會後的憂鬱。
幸好 PCD 通常不會持續很久，而且你可以採取一些措施來克服。播放你在演唱會上最喜歡的歌曲有助於維持這種情感連結。觀看演唱會的影片或照片也能喚起鮮明的回憶。別只想著結束，而是仔細思考這段經歷多麼有意義。演唱會後的低落情緒會過去，但你感受到的喜悅和共鳴會伴隨你更久。
What Did You Learn?
(A) Others, however, experience a negative reaction.
(B) Social media has made PCD worse in recent years.
(C) For loyal fans, they can become a major part of their identity.
(D) However, your brain can’t maintain these high levels for long.
(E) The unity people feel at concerts can make the post-concert blues hit harder.
參考答案:
1. A 2. D 3. C 4. E
Words in Use
1. rush n.（做了令人興奮的事而得到的）快感
Skydiving gives people a real rush.
跳傘會讓人快感十足。
2. unexpectedly adv.
出乎意料地，意外地
The scientist’s simple experiment produced unexpectedly impressive results.
這位科學家的簡單實驗產出了出人意料的亮眼成果。
3. coin vt. 創造（新詞等）
It was Shakespeare who coined many English expressions still used today.
正是莎士比亞創造了許多今日仍在使用的英文用語。
4. phenomenon n. 現象（單數）
phenomena n. 現象（複數）
The rapid growth of social media is a modern social phenomenon.
社群媒體的使用快速增長是一種現代社會現象。
5. depression n. 憂鬱（症）
After her dog passed away, Laura sank into a state of deep depression.
狗狗去世後，蘿拉陷入嚴重的憂鬱。
Practical Phrases
1. wrap up 結束
Because of the urgent weather warning, our son’s baseball game wrapped up early.
因為緊急的天氣警報，我們兒子的棒球比賽便提早結束了。
2. take steps to V 採取措施來（做）……
The government must take steps to reduce pollution.
政府必須採取措施來減少汙染。
3. get through. . . 度過∕熬過……
It took all of Kevin’s strength to get through the difficult time.
凱文用盡了全力才挺過這段艱困的時期。
4. reflect on. . . 仔細思考……
reflect [ rI`flEkt ] vi. 深思
Before making a decision, take some time to reflect on the options.
下決定之前，花點時間仔細思考各種選項。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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