[Jason Todd]

I always create alternate versions of myself.
Like I'm starting to make up stories where I'm a super hero, villain, an NBA star or something else where all the attention is on me. I'm always imagining that I'm in a relationship when a beautiful girl (It can be a celebrity or a girl that I saw on a bus) Then I start to play the role by myself in my room. I speak alone, but in my head it is as if I was in the world I had created. It has become stronger than me and I find it unbearable. I really want it to stop, but I just can't. I'm always losing time because of this. What is happening to me? Am I a psychopath? Please help me.

[Soupe du jour]

@Jason Todd, I strongly doubt that you are a psychopath.

Daydreaming about different realities (for ourselves and others) is normal. I think it can even be sort of good in some ways, to varying degrees. However, if you feel that your daydreaming is so excessive that it upsets you or keeps you from functioning well enough in real life, I'd consider it "maladaptive daydreaming". Maladaptive daydreaming does not have a code in the DSM-5, but the idea of it is becoming more and more recognized. I have seen it mentioned by a few people here at PC in the past. You can put the term in the PC search feature to find threads on the topic. For more regular support, you may also wish to visit Reddit.com's subreddit on it at Maladaptive Daydreaming - MD. I have because I did have a period in my past when I believe my daydreaming was maladaptive. In my case, it seemed to be accompanied by dissociative symptoms. Looking back at it, it was, for me, an unhealthy coping tool. I'm not saying that daydreaming and imagining oneself in a different situation is an unhealthy coping tool. Just when it becomes maladaptive and affects life.

As I referenced above, I got out of the maladaptive daydreaming period. I believe my therapist, at the time, was helpful with that. That doesn't mean that I no longer daydream, but now it's "normal daydreaming". I don't daydream for multiple hours per day anymore. It now doesn't affect my ability to interact with people properly in life, or accomplish the tasks I need to do. I am now more satisfied in my own skin, and with my own reality.

[Chazz33]

Originally Posted by Jason Todd

I always create alternate versions of myself.
Like I'm starting to make up stories where I'm a super hero, villain, an NBA star or something else where all the attention is on me. I'm always imagining that I'm in a relationship when a beautiful girl (It can be a celebrity or a girl that I saw on a bus) Then I start to play the role by myself in my room. I speak alone, but in my head it is as if I was in the world I had created. It has become stronger than me and I find it unbearable. I really want it to stop, but I just can't. I'm always losing time because of this. What is happening to me? Am I a psychopath? Please help me.

Haha. I do this too. Have played football and won the Ballon D'or, won a few Oscars, have become the President, saved the world and so on.

[Chazz33]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

@Jason Todd, I strongly doubt that you are a psychopath.
In my case, it seemed to be accompanied by dissociative symptoms. Looking back at it, it was, for me, an unhealthy coping tool. I'm not saying that daydreaming and imagining oneself in a different situation is an unhealthy coping tool. Just when it becomes maladaptive and affects life.

As I referenced above, I got out of the maladaptive daydreaming period. I believe my therapist, at the time, was helpful with that. That doesn't mean that I no longer daydream, but now it's "normal daydreaming". I don't daydream for multiple hours per day anymore. It now doesn't affect my ability to interact with people properly in life, or accomplish the tasks I need to do. I am now more satisfied in my own skin, and with my own reality.

Thanks for sharing your experience and the link. I'm an avid daydreamer but have never given a serious thought about it.

[Kriss]

Oh yeah daydreaming is part of my daily routine. I've traveled to future ,past ,other countries, other planets and lots of fantasy worlds. I even married several celebrities, made few children. Died a few times and killed sometimes.

[Prycejosh1987]

I think that is out of the box, but i can see why you do that, it seems you want to feel powerful. You want power and control of your life and this is a way you satisfy that craving. You do have control of your life, but not other people, no one that that power. People have their own perceptions and actions.