It's happening again. How can I prevent it?

[B L Carlson]

If you check my last post, I made it almost exactly a year ago, and well, I'm going through it again. This time it's disturbed my sleep the last two nights, and last night it was so hard to fall asleep; I used every trick in the book, (the one I think helped the most is counting down from 10,000) and I could feel my heart beating. Morning was rough, but I think I'm feeling better and had gotten through the worst of it.

At this point, I should probably be starting these on my blog instead of on the forums.

Anyhow, basically it's due to being in love with a fictional character, and also being in love with the fictional world as well; I won't say what it is, but it's got all the themes and escapist elements down very well in a way that clicks. That's a good way to describe it; it just clicks.

Right now, I am indulging into it to death, and it's such a sickly feeling--a very strong longing feeling. It also really sucks, (or does it?) that the story isn't actually complete and is being released in extreme drip-form.

What do you think can trigger something like this in such a way? Was it because I listened to this one particular song as part of the OST?

Is it a result of prolonged avoidance from deep social interaction? Possibly, since the last time wasn't that deep. Even then, how is it almost so perfectly cyclical and random? Once a year, only a month away from each other.

What about intense gaming? Not just casual, but an intense gaming session, getting me immersed in some other world I don't care about, depriving me, and this period is just my brain trying hard to get back in? Do you think that makes any sense?

What about stress? I've sworn off anything politically related 'cause it all stresses me out, and I had watched a stream in which there were some political debates; and well, they were just painful.

I'm also writing a fantasy novel, and I just got done with a significant part, and I'm preparing the next part. But I haven't been able to focus on it; trying to do so feels... weird. Probably because it isn't the same world, though it is inspired by it heavily.

Also, I think a "lack of adventure" is a major cause as well... Considering the idea of going on an adventure seems to really tug on the heartstrings.

Maybe that's what, or all of it, that knocked me into a tilt?

Do you think a psychiatrist would understand and help? If so, do Community Colleges offer psychiatry help with enough expertise? Medication? Do I even want that?

How do you deal with it, anybody who's dealing with it?

Anyways, could use a little strength; these always last a few days.

[optimistic]

:-((( It's hard when you feel like you're in love with someone from your daydream. I'm going through the same exact thing. I always fall in love with celebrities and it screws me over because the feeling of indulging in our made-up relationship is such a delicious feeling.... I just have to keep telling myself that I don't need anyone else to feel whole. I don't need to have this made-up person in my life to be me and to be happy.. I allow myself to think about him, but I'm getting better at keeping the fantasy from running too deep. I need to love myself before I love anyone else- especially somebody that I don't know.
Also stress, loneliness, and gaming could definitely trigger daydreams. When the brain gets stressed, it tries to escape reality because stress can be so painful to deal with. Daydreaming is one way of denying/escaping reality. And oftentimes daydreams give us what we really need in our lives- if you're in love with someone in your daydreams, it probably shows that you are feeling lonely and need more people to love. Gaming, I think, pulls you out of reality so you just switch from being immersed in one false reality to another.


I truly think real-life can snap you out of daydreams if you pay enough attention to reality. It's hard to stay mindful of the things around you and what really exists. But I can remember a few specific times when I was completely present in real life, and it was a feeling that was wayyyy better than any daydream. I felt whole and comfortable with myself. No anxiety. I was really confident that everything was gonna be okay and content with my life, even though my life is usually full of problems.

I'm sorry it's been hard for you. Just take it day-by-day and moment-by-moment. You have no obligation to be the same person you were yesterday, earlier today, one second ago...You can always change

[B L Carlson]

optimistic said:

:-((( It's hard when you feel like you're in love with someone from your daydream. I'm going through the same exact thing. I always fall in love with celebrities and it screws me over because the feeling of indulging in our made-up relationship is such a delicious feeling.... I just have to keep telling myself that I don't need anyone else to feel whole. I don't need to have this made-up person in my life to be me and to be happy.. I allow myself to think about him, but I'm getting better at keeping the fantasy from running too deep. I need to love myself before I love anyone else- especially somebody that I don't know.
Also stress, loneliness, and gaming could definitely trigger daydreams. When the brain gets stressed, it tries to escape reality because stress can be so painful to deal with. Daydreaming is one way of denying/escaping reality. And oftentimes daydreams give us what we really need in our lives- if you're in love with someone in your daydreams, it probably shows that you are feeling lonely and need more people to love. Gaming, I think, pulls you out of reality so you just switch from being immersed in one false reality to another.


I truly think real-life can snap you out of daydreams if you pay enough attention to reality. It's hard to stay mindful of the things around you and what really exists. But I can remember a few specific times when I was completely present in real life, and it was a feeling that was wayyyy better than any daydream. I felt whole and comfortable with myself. No anxiety. I was really confident that everything was gonna be okay and content with my life, even though my life is usually full of problems.

I'm sorry it's been hard for you. Just take it day-by-day and moment-by-moment. You have no obligation to be the same person you were yesterday, earlier today, one second ago...You can always change

Thanks for the words--I think most of it is over. I can feel... myself oscillitating in this split between the worlds. An urge to jump back into reality, hard to explain. The next time my friend wants to hang out, I should definitely jump into it to solidify it. I feel weird from the lack of sleep, but this night should set me back.

I should try meditation or something... or go back to writing as a form of therapy or something...

*SIGH*