[bunglewich]

Hi,
I am curious if anyone else has a parent (or other person they know) who is functioning, but during key or triggering events, retreats into a semi-fantasy world.

I could give specific examples (which do not include hallucinations) but I don't want to write too winded a message.

One broad way to describe this, do you know anyone close to you who seems to literally live on a different planet?

Imagine having a parent or loved-one who is not wealthy, but sees the world through the eyes of blue bloods (think Emily Gilmore, but without the money, for example) or through the eyes of a kid who thinks birthdays and Christmas means the whole world will revolve around them. Who at times you just think "he/she is so far out to lunch and so far removed form what the rest of us experience I simply do not know how to relate to or communicate with him/her"?

Does this ring familiar for anyone else? Happy to get more specific if it helps, but the specifics all look, when viewed through a singular lens, relatively harmless. When put together collectively, they point to a very socially "odd" way of being and experiencing the world.

I can't find much in the way of external resources or help about this. The wikipedia article about "fantasy prone personality" doesn't quite fit the bill.

Thank you

[sugarbeeMe]

Perhaps it is a way to deal with stress.
I imagine she cannot be a very attentive mother for you while she is avoiding reality. (((Hugs)))

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by bunglewich

Hi,
I am curious if anyone else has a parent (or other person they know) who is functioning, but during key or triggering events, retreats into a semi-fantasy world.

I could give specific examples (which do not include hallucinations) but I don't want to write too winded a message.

One broad way to describe this, do you know anyone close to you who seems to literally live on a different planet?

Imagine having a parent or loved-one who is not wealthy, but sees the world through the eyes of blue bloods (think Emily Gilmore, but without the money, for example) or through the eyes of a kid who thinks birthdays and Christmas means the whole world will revolve around them. Who at times you just think "he/she is so far out to lunch and so far removed form what the rest of us experience I simply do not know how to relate to or communicate with him/her"?

Does this ring familiar for anyone else? Happy to get more specific if it helps, but the specifics all look, when viewed through a singular lens, relatively harmless. When put together collectively, they point to a very socially "odd" way of being and experiencing the world.

I can't find much in the way of external resources or help about this. The wikipedia article about "fantasy prone personality" doesn't quite fit the bill.

Thank you

here is a link that might help you. keep in mind that this is not meant to be a diagnosis of your mother, I just googled the words "world revolves around you disorder) and this is what came up. .....please keep in mind that only your mothers own doctors can make a diagnosis of your mothers problems based on her symptoms along with other accompanying problems and things like her life history, medications, medical health and so much more...

https://www.psychologytoday.com/cond...ality-disorder

I suppose you have two options:

- approach her family doctor; and
- hold an intervention

If the situation is significant enough to be considered psychosis/delirium, take her to the hospital.

[bunglewich]

thank you all for your input and empathy.

There are ebbs and flows to this behavior, and frankly, I'd forgotten about it because she's functioned/managed quite well for several years after a serious event that triggered this. It's sort of like she's kept it under wraps.

But now some big changes in her life loom (not necessarily negative, just big job-related ones) and it's come out in full force. I am, of course, concerned as she ages what this may mean. Yes, I do think it is a way to deal with stress, @sugarbeeme.

The idea to approach her family doctor (whom I know) is a good one that I will keep in my pocket should the need arise.

Thank you again.