Does anyone on here take fictional people/characters more seriously than people in real life?

[Fantasizin Farah]

I know this may have been discussed a billion times and I am really sorry for bringing up such an old topic, but this has strongly been on my mind recently ever since researching a bit about maladaptive daydreaming. And I am desperate to get this off my chest.

But for some reason, I think since I was about nine or ten, I have always preferred made-up people way more than real people. I'm not sure why. Sometimes I like to theorize or hypothesize that maybe for me its because I do not have to socialize with them so they seem less critical of me in every way or maybe cause they seem more attractive, likable, and cooler(especially in anime :p). Whatever the reason, this does not bother me much, other than the fact that I do think it is rather sad. But like alot of people say these days, "It is what it is."

Can anyone relate?

Also, do any of you find real people to be very irritating? I mean, I dread every beginning of the month, cause that's when I do my grocery shopping. I shopped today and I am so irritated that I am physically more exhausted than I would be from three life-draining hours of dialysis! Yeah, I hate crowds so much I would rather not even go to see a really awesome movie like the new Avengers.:( Its hard for me to really daydream my head off with all those people around. I will go only when barely a soul is around.

Can anyone relate to that also?

[Fantasizin Farah]

Yeah. No, I feel similar if the DD is powerful enough. I think you put it in better words than I did. I have read about this as being a symptom of maladaptive DD some where. 

Also, do you think maybe you have stronger relationships with the characters in your DD than with people in real life?

Its not just animated people for me. It can be live characters from movies and stuff. As long as I admire them in some way.

Like I think most people would love to jump at the chance to meet their favorite celebrity or celebrities, but not me. I would rather continue to observe them from afar. I think its because if I were to meet them and find out what they are really like(even if they may be even better in person possibly) I would not be able to DD about the character(s) they play as well.

I dunno. Do you feel similar?

Swords said:

Yes! So much yessssss. A while ago, I felt genuine emotion from a certain situation I had in a DD. My chest started rising and I came a little close to tearing up. It startled me a little, knowing that I can be manipulated (by myself) in a way that invokes a physical sensation.

I actually don't know if that's actually what you were talking about.

[Ivy White]

I used to feel that way but I got better (mostly because I can DD in large crowds or practically whenever, so I don't mind them as much anmymore). I have a love-hate relationship with real life people. I find that they often disappoint me in some way and it seems harder for me to connect closely to them.

[Fantasizin Farah]

I feel like you too. Its like I have to love to hate SOMETHING about real life people and hate to love anything about them. And I have read alot that one of the huge reasons alot of us on this forum feels that way is because real people are very disappointing in one way or another. And I cannot deny the fact that I feel very similar. Like they stab us in the back and cannot really be trusted. I honestly feel a greater bond with canines(like pitbulls or even wolves) than a human.  :(

Ivy White said:

I used to feel that way but I got better (mostly because I can DD in large crowds or practically whenever, so I don't mind them as much anmymore). I have a love-hate relationship with real life people. I find that they often disappoint me in some way and it seems harder for me to connect closely to them.

[Fantasizin Farah]

I love Marvel Comics. They're the best! My favorite Marvel Superhero is Spider-Man. But my favorite series is honestly Guardians of the Galaxy. I loved the movie so much that I want to collect the comicbooks! :D

But hands down, my all-time favorite superhero is Batman. I was debating whether to purchase Arkham Asylum for my Xbox 360 or some manga from Amazon....well, manga won since it was cheaper actually and plus I am trying to defeat FFXIII at the moment. Its a great game so far! :D

Whoa...I went way off topic there...

But back to the movies. I think I will go, as long as my dad takes me when the movies are as dead as a cemetery. -.-

I'm a real nut for superhero-ish stuff. Even though my anxiety around lots of people conflict with that.....

Swords Dance said:

Also, you should totally watch the new Avengers. Worth.

[Nancy Johnson]

Yes. I can relate. I think I get upset and irritated with people when I go shopping or driving because the people interrupt my daydreaming. I get mad when I have to take a pause from DD and pay attention to others. This takes me away from my DD.Go figure!  I really should be paying attention all the time.

I attend movies at night during the week when there's barely a crowd. I'm alone at the movie theatre sitting alone. I can't do crowds.

My therapist's trying to get me to go out and socialize with people. But, I'm not sure I even like my friends. It's so hard to hang out with them. I sit back and judge myself and the conversations. I feel like I have a job to "entertain" my friends. I do not feel anyone cares about my concerns. The conversations seem to always be about them, so I digress and DD. It's exhausting to hang out with friends.  

Now, the characters in my DD-ing, well the conversations go both ways. I feel appreciated in my conversations. The conversations are mutual. Of course, they would be. They're in my head.

I understand. I get it. I'm trying.

Thank you for re-posting this discussion.