In many young adults living today, there is a struggle between the real world and the inner world that is full of fantasy. This is often a means of escaping the pressures of the world. Studies have indicated that fantasizing or engaging in daydreaming is more than just harmless imagination.
In some young adults, fantasizing is a means of escaping or coping with the pressures of the world. Other studies have indicated that young adults use fantasizing or daydreaming as a means of escaping or coping with negative emotions or realities, such as loneliness or emotional neglect.
Perhaps, by understanding the rationale behind the increased tendency of young people to be inward, it would be easier for people, especially those in the medical profession and educators, to be aware of the underlying psychological and social conditions, like stress, lack of emotional fulfillment, and lack of a nurturing environment, that cause young people to be inward.
When does normal daydreaming become a coping strategy that needs attention and how can we support young adults in finding healthier ways to deal with stress and overwhelm?
MBH/AB