Exactly. These are the symptoms of a withdrawal from escapism. You could replace "VR" in the article by many other kinds of absorbing experiences.
Not to discredit the author's own personal findings, it's probably a healthy thing to be self-aware of these feelings. And there might be something to VR that makes the contrast of detachment more intense.
Well in the author's opinion it's actually not the same. That's why he specifically points out counter examples of non-VR experiences which have similar but notably less intense effects.
It's still an opinion, sure, but the author did address this comparison.
Reading this I felt reminded of my experiences playing for Liverpool Action Role Playing. Being in character for several days and totally escaping get the outside world - then shedding the costume and sitting in a car on the motorway back home.
Well talk about post adventure depression.
Then walking up to the door of your longtime girlfriend and knowing get what was awaiting me - talk about remedy.
Escapism in the former of a holiday from reality might be great - but reality has it's own perks.
