Recently Chinese film star Liu Yifei was jumped by a male fan when she was promoting her new film in Guangzhou.

Based on the released video, she was shaking hands with fans when a crazed man rushed the stage and threw himself onto her, pushing her to the ground; Liu hit the floor with a thud.

The incident sparked a heated discussion online: can these people be called fans? What sparks their actions? And, what is reasonable when chasing your idols?

Gu Ge, a chief consultant from Shanghai Xinchao Counseling Center, told the Global Times that he doesn't regard these people as fans.

"If we define fans as supporters, the man who throws himself onto Liu is not a fan because his actions hurt his idol both physically and psychologically. If we have to, we can define those impulsive and crazed ones as nuts," Gu said.

He said that these people, influenced by sudden strong impulses, lose their sensibility and self-control, and allow actions that they might not predict or be able to control. This may even lead to criminal behavior. Sometimes, it is called a crime of passion.

For example, on Saturday, Japanese pop idol Mayu Tomita was stabbed more than 20 times by an alleged stalker before a performance in Tokyo.

After arrest, the suspect, 27-year-old Tomohiro Iwazaki, reportedly told police that he was agitated over losing face because the gift he sent to her was returned; according to reports, he said he committed the crime out of rage.

The story is one of many over the years.

In December 1980, John Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman in the archway of the Dakota, his residence in New York City. Lennon had just returned from Record Plant Studio with his wife.

In July 1989, Rebecca Schaeffer, an American TV and film actress, was fatally shot at her West Hollywood residence by Robert John Bardo, a fan who had been stalking her for three years.

Bardo had watched the film Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills, in which Schaeffer appeared in bed with a male actor; the scene enraged Bardo and out of apparent jealousy he decided the actress should be punished.

Yang Xiaoqian, senior consultant from Resoul Psychological Counseling Center, told the Global Times that these fans are so obsessed with their idols that they commit extreme acts.

"They usually lack independence and confidence in real life. Their psychological development lags behind. They shut themselves in a lonely, imaginary world and mix up their lives with their idols' lives. Once reality breaks away from illusion, they suffer from strong emotional impulses and even commit acts of violence," Yang said.

(From top) Fans' emotions could run high when they face their idols. Photos: CFP

She said that there are some dangerous expressions that signal that a fan is too obsessed with a star.

For example, if a fan sees the idol as a love interest, wishes to own the star's personal items, or is eager to meet the idol in person, and if the fan suffers from devastating emotional impulses if these desires are not met, he or she may be too obsessed, Yang said.

She said star-chasing mostly happens among younger people, and they should be given attentive support and guidance.

She once consulted a 15-year-old patient who came to her for help. The girl adores Lu Han and Wu Yifan, former members from the pop group EXO. When her idols broke their contract with the group, she was so worried that she wouldn't eat, go to school or even sleep.

"They should not be simply banned from chasing idols, but should be encouraged to balance their lives and idol-chasing, and also develop other hobbies. Parents should also be actively involved. If their kids can't pull themselves out of it and even give up their studies, they should take them to a therapist," said Yang.

Bing She, a network writer, said it is important to find a proper release outlet for these feelings; the basic premise is to not bring trouble to others, whether to the star or those around you.

Bing shared with the Global Times the story of her friend who is also an online writer, which she believes can be an example of sensible fandom.

"She is a fan of the famous actor Li Yifeng. When she sold the copyright for her novel to a producer, she earnestly said that if the producer could get Li to perform, she would give the copyright for free. And you know what? The copyright of that novel is worth 1 million yuan ($152,362)," Bing said.

"She is crazy, but not harmful. The way she chases a star is hoping to publish a novel that one day her idol will love and perform. She found a proper release channel for her craziness and has been working hard to close the distance between her and her idol - not the physical distance, but the distance between two souls. In this course, she hasn't made any trouble to anyone. Though she often goes to the studio waiting for her idol, she used her hard-earned money from the copyright, unlike some young kids who use their parents' money. She can afford these cost and has not slacked off in her work," Bing said.