OK, people. What is the deal with our obsession with celebrity couples? I mean seriously, there is no way it’s healthy. So why do we as a society completely engross ourselves in the scandalous lives of Hollywood’s elite?

A big part of me blames social media for this very real epidemic, which leaves me with one big question. Have we always been this obsessed, or have our online habits intensified our adoration?

It is no secret that many people, including me, have a slight addiction to social media. I swear, we would all be lost without our trusty electronic sidekicks.

With sites like Instagram and Twitter, we can follow our favorite celebrities and in a way, feel closer to them. That is where I think the problem begins.

I can’t count how many times I stayed up late at night stalking my favorite celebrity, going so far down the social media rabbit hole before I realize it’s 3 a.m. and I have a problem.

I’ve found myself upset over A-list breakups I didn’t even know I cared about and I’ve used the phrase “love is dead” more times than I’m proud to say.

However, I am just the tip of the iceberg. After exploring sites like Tumblr and Reddit, I realized just how many super obsessive fans are out there. Don’t get me wrong, I love a hot Hollywood couple as much as the next person, but it is safe to say it has become too much.

I’m not sure why some people think that just because they are a fan, they’re entitled to have a say in a celebrity’s life. It’s awesome that you support them and care for them, but they don’t owe you anything.

Sure, I’m a fan of my dental hygienist, but that doesn’t mean I can start giving her marriage advice because I love how well she cleans my teeth. Stop trying to justify craziness. This isn’t the 17th century. Lose the Napoleon complex.

I’m almost positive that no celebrity cares if you approve of their relationship or not, and the second you start sending death threats, you’re doing too much. There is a fine line between admiration and obsession, and when you start to resemble Kathy Bates in “Misery,” then you, my friend, have crossed it.

Also, can we just take a minute to talk about this new thing called “celebrity ships“? For those of you unfamiliar with the term “shipping,” it is basically when you obsess over two people so much that you envision them as a couple.

After some thorough research and reading one too many questionable blog posts, I can confidently say that “ships” tend to be creepy, violent and out of hand. If you want to imagine, fantasize or theorize your favorite celebrities together, then go for it, but the second your ship doesn’t work out, getting violent and harassing said celebrities is not the answer.

I empathize with celebrities. I really do.

I cannot begin to imagine how scary it is to have millions of people watching and judging your every move. A lot of people believe that it is celebrities’ own faults because they knew what they were signing up for, but I truly believe that’s just an inconsiderate and jealous way to think.

So, what can we do to stop ourselves from going full on stalker-mode? For starters, if you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying it to their face, then you probably shouldn’t be saying it at all. Also, stop with the death threats. I don’t care if they’re a joke. They aren’t cute or funny.

At the end of the day just remember, no matter how glamorous their lives may be, celebrities are people too. So let‘s take the craziness down a few levels.

Contact the writer: [email protected]