Hi there;
I was wondering if anyone else out there thinks of themselves as someone else? I don't mean like split personality, but fantasizes they are someone different? I've done this since my teenage years and recognize that my anxiety(social to be specific) gets worse when I think this way. Also I've not really been myself 100% so I don't know myself the way I should. I hope this makes sense and doesn't make me look weird. I think it stems from not liking myself and accepting myself fully.
Anyways it is a habit I need to break.

Hmmm I must be the only one who does this, now I feel very odd. Oh well I will keep on the program and focus on being me and liking me.

Hi Addy,

Do you mean that you fantasize - still being you but having a different life than the one you have? For example, listening to your favourite song and imagining you're the rich and famous artist performing in front of all your adoring fans? (not that I EVER do this myself of course)

Maybe if you gave an example

Hi Sara's mom;
Thx for responding. You know I even have a hard time understanding it and until now didn't fully acknowledge it. It was after reading the flashcard on controlling anxiety where it says observe characteristics that cause anxiety that I started to see this as one of them.
Here's an example....
I could be walking near an acreage where there's horses and fantasize I own an acreage and train horses and am well off.
It's SO weird fully realizing I do this. It sounds so freakish, but I really am not weird at all.
I think it stems from low self esteem and not getting to know and like who I am because I do't take chances in life and live in fear. I think I'm ashamed of myself for being afraid and weak.
I'm going to analyze this more in my journal and bring it up to my therapist.

Addy, I too have felt that way.I am now just trying to love the life I have. Regret over the past, fear of the future rob us of the joy of the gift of the present. I hope to stay present in the moment more often. I think it stems from coping mechanisms from childhood when I just tune out of reality into zone that takes me away from the present...dweeeeoooooh.

Addy I think because almost all of us who struggle with anxiety/depression know we're not living anywhere close to our full potential, we daydream about what we could be if we were "normal" instead of what we're reduced to being because of this disorder.

But I also think everyone daydreams about stuff like that from time to time. Maybe we do it more often because of all our limitations.

I would fantasize, too--a lot. I often picture myself as a celebrity, someone known well in the public eye. The ironic thing is that while I'm seeing myself in this spotlight, I'm imagining that I have many critics who don't like me because of my views and who try to challenge me.

I also fantasize that I have an understanding lover whom I eventually marry and have kids with. This is odd also, because I imagine him as having usual human flaws and shortcomings (e.g. he cheats on me once).

I've done this just about all my life. I've suffered from low self-esteem since I was little. It makes me wonder if I've been depressed longer than I think.

Yes I remember doing with also, not so much anymoe. But I did very much at one time exspecially right at bed time where you are laying there just thinking. But I have learned that money don't make you happy that comes from within yourself. So go out and get some self help books along with the program. And set some goals long term and short term that will make you feel better about yourself.

HiAddy,,I have never written on the forum before so I'm not sure how this will turn out ,,I guess I'll give it a try.
I have the same things ,,though I have come a long way in living in a sober state of mind much of the time ,,,there is still something that really bothers me about myself,,,and it is something that I just can't seem to shake,,,I think it stems from the same thing you face .
I catch myself having "mind conversations" all the time . Meaning that If my mind wanders to a scenario of what ever ,,,because they are always different,,,I am talking with people ,,and one thing I have noticed ,,the scenario turns out bad nine times out of ten ,,,it seems to have become a defence mechanism to me when I am faced with a "SUPPOSED" uncomfortable situation,,like the thought that maybe that person over there said something about me .
Maybe this is something all together different,,if it is I apologize,,but this thing has become a vice to me I feel and has caused some depression as well .It is destructive I feel ,,to my phsychological ,,,,social development,,,and I am trying to keep living in sobriety and face what ever life is before me. When I am at work I want to be thinking about work,,but it seems so incredibly hard for me to do ,,my mind skips from one scenario to the next,,,and I find myself snapping out of it and trying to regain my focus .
I cringe at the thought of there being something labbled about me like "ocd" because the thought that I have a "dissorder" that I may have to live with for the rest of my life is very dissheartning,,,,,I guess I'm just confused ,,maybe I should have posted this as something for all to see.
I tell you this because to me it seems to exist in the realm of fantasy,,and though I feel that I have come to some plateau of self controll,,,,The journey before me looks impossible.
I'm sorry ,,,,I feel like I have left you with no encouragement at all ,,,maybe this smile will help ,,,to show you that I am not giving up !
I used to come to the chat rooms here but just can't do it anymore ,,I feel as though it only makes me remember a little to freshly what I once was ,,,and almost makes me think I still have some of the things I overcame long ago,,,kinda like taking off your hat ,,,and still feels like you are wearing it ya know ?
anyway sorry for writing so long,,and thanks for those whe read it ,,,God bless,,,please ,if you have something to share ,,,,,share

Andy.
i do the same thing. just got my self to stop about a year ago. for me it started when i was a teenager to. i noticed it would increase my anxiety then when i came back to reality i'd feel depressed because my life didn't measure up. well. just wanted to say your not alone. the only way i got myself to stop was basicly just to that when it started i would say "what is really bothering me" i would then say i can just stand my feelings and float. it came back less and less.... anyway i just started seeing a theoropist and she said fantazing is normal but it should be something attainable that i can work towards in reality.... hope this helps.

Hi Addy,
I have fantasized about pretending to be someone else a lot through my life. I would find someone that I admired or that was popular (usually people I knew) and try to act like them. Don't do it so often now, I am 40 and am finally beginning to like myself! So I don't think your weird at all. For me it comes from low self esteem. Not being liked or feeling stupid, the tape in my head, ya know. Hang in there.

When I was really young...6 or 7...I figured out that I couldn't just lay in bed and fall asleep. I would lay there for hours but I couldn't fall asleep. So I began to 'fantasize/daydream'...it gave my brain something to do and BAM! I'd fall asleep. I never really got over that. I have to be dead tired (from intense manual labor) to just hit the bed and fall asleep. Nowadays, I still 'fantasize/daydream' at night when I'm trying to fall asleep, but I try to remember the ideas so I can use them to write stories when time permits.

Addy you are not alone at all. We all suffer with many different thoughts, hang in there!