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Avatar universal

Unsure of how to research...

Hello! I hope that it is ok to post about mental health here, as I have not yet been diagnosed with anything. I want to do some more research and talk to other people who have the same issues I do, but the problem is I am not quite sure where or how to look. I will try to describe my problem briefly...

I have problems with excessive daydreaming. I have created my own fantasy world that I can't seem to get out of. This has been going on for many years. Here's where it gets a little weird - I have a tendency to "interact" with the other characters of my fantasy world. I am a woman, but often play the part of a male in my world. I understand that this is a fantasy world, and I know that these other people are not really there... I can't even explain why I tend to go there. It just happens, as if it's an established habit. It happens everywhere - at home, at work, in the shower, when I go to bed, it doesn't matter. It's like my mind doesn't want to let go. I'm missing my life though. I'm afraid it's just going to pass me by while I sit here in my own little world.

Anyone have any ideas on what this might be called, or where I might research a little bit more? Anyone have a similar problem?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
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Avatar universal
Hi, and thank you so much for the answers :)  I do tend to be creative - I am always writing, and I used to draw and play piano as well. My "fantasy world" is definitely disruptive. There are some days when it is off the wall and I can't get anything done at work. (On an aside note... I don't visually see the characters, but I do imagine them standing or sitting around me.) I think I will take your advice and seek out counselling, just to get a professional opinion on what I might be able to do. I don't mind daydreaming once in a while, but this is a little too much =D

Thanks again, both of you!
Helpful - 0
445362 tn?1206965718
Hey,
I personally am a daydreamer. I think as a child I started daydreaming early on. I somehow managed to cope with this and still be able to get my schoolwork done. But, when I was at home I daydreamed because where I was, was not the best of places at the time if that means much. My parents were more than a little rough with my sister and I growing up. We lived out in the country and had no one to play with except each other. When alone, I spent a lot of time fantasizing and it became my reality. I don't do that sort of daydreaming anymore, but I do have scenarios that go through my head. Sometimes I cannot seem to get out of that mode, however it was disruptive to me and I had to seek help. If it is not disruptive to you, then I would not worry about it. If you are worried about it, you could at least talk to someone about it and see what they think. Socially speaking, if something is maladaptive (meaning it causes a problem in functioning for you) or to others then that is when one should seek help. I am not a professional. But I do have a bachelors in counseling psychology and a year approximately of grad school experience before getting sick. My worst enemy, but also ingrained in my personality is OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I have the kind where I worry about other people, but it is because I care a lot about others. I am to the point in my life, where I really don't care so much as I used to about what happens to me. I am here to do whatever God put me here to do. So, if you are not bothered by this fantasy and it is not causing any trouble I wouldn't worry overmuch. But that is your call. I really hope you can find the answers you need. Peace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
by fantasy world do you mean, you visually see others and another place that isn't there? Do you visualize things that are realistic or not? I have conversations with myself in my head and often times are the voice of the person I have something to say to as well. Does that make since? Say I am upset with my dad, I will mentally tell him how I feel and then create in my head a senareo of what I think would happen including what he would say to me. I don't think that means you have a mental illness. I think you may just have an overly active imagination. Do you have fantasy's that aren't healthy such as something harmful to yourself or others? If so, then I would seek a professional therapist. Hope everything works out for you.
Helpful - 0
445362 tn?1206965718
It is ok to discuss this here. Mental Health is no less important or real than physical health problems. Are you a creative person? Have you had any recent trauma, or older trauma that maybe caused you to create a fantasy world or alternative reality? Sometimes people come up with coping mechanisms for things that have happened or are too painful to deal with in their daily lives. However, when any behavior becomes intrusive or maladaptive and causes trouble in daily life or functioning, then it is time to seek help and get an evaluation. People with ADD daydream, regular people daydream, people with Mood disorders can have delusions. But, you realize this is a fantasy, so you are not delusional from what you are saying. You could always talk to a counselor and go from there and see what they think. Maybe life is so stressful for you for some reason or another, this is the only thing you have found to do to be able to deal. Feel free to message me. I really hope you can get answers and feel better.
Peace
Helpful - 0
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