Only read this post if you didn’t read my other one. This is a shorter version of it. Help me, please! I at least need some kind of comfort or advice, or someone to understand my problem! Ever since I was a baby, I’ve had these weird delusional obsessions. I only talked to myself in my imagination and never really had any contact with the outside world. I called it “non-exposure” and I never exposed anything. It always had to do with cartoons. Just cartoon characters- I was so obsessed with them, and they filled my brain for my entire life- I am not kidding. Every day, 24/7, I would try and picture them in my mind, either trying to picture these kids dressed up as their favorite ones, or just thinking about my favorite ones dating other characters. I was not only obsessed with them, but I was attracted to a lot of them as well. This went on from elementary school to middle school, to high school. I’m 16 years old in my junior year now. I couldn’t stop. It was the only thing that made me happy. I never told anyone about it because I never thought it would be a problem until now- I always thought of it as just a hobby that I liked to do. But now I know it was a waste of time. Now that I’m a junior, I’m supposed to be focusing on college and even more work. But because I lived inside my imagination for such a long time, I suffer consequences now. I’m not able to do the things I used to do. I can’t read, I can’t even focus on real life without zoning out. I don’t know what to do, and I can’t tell anybody- not my mom because she would be devastated, and not anyone else because they would just think I’m weird, and they would be upset, too. I can’t picture anything else in my mind besides these cartoons, and what I see on TV. I’ll never know what it’s like to be an actual person, living a normal human life. I can’t stare straight forward without zoning out, getting dizzy, or getting tired. I hate what I did to my life. I think school lessons are interesting, but they’re hard for me now! I try to focus on school but find it hard to do my work. I could have been a great person. But now I have no skills, and I can’t do anything. I don’t think I can function in this world. I don't think I'll be able to graduate high school, or function in college. I am not an attention whore, but I really want somebody to comment on this soon, because I am lonely and need at least some kind of company...

I am 28 and know exactly what you're talking about. to do nothing but fantasize and create your own world...then realize none of those things will come true and tjat you know nothing practical about the real world. I even have a boyfriend in my head. yeah, imaginary boyfriend. he's asian, skinny, and has a shaved head. I started trippin out today when this dude in a white truck was behind me looking at me...looked similar to the guy in my head. anyway, I got on disability a fews years ago for schizoaffective and paranoid personality. I have zero friends. indidnt in school, have none online. tomorrow, I'm actually getting a job interview. after the countless ppl I've reached out to online for support or friendship with no mutual interesr, maybe workkng after these years of isolation will at least help me feel loke a part of the world. I hope knowing someone is sortain the same boat helps. I saw no replies...figured id be the first. later!

One thing that I notice is that when I make up a new world, the more similar it is to reality, the more it confuses me/disrupts my normal life. If I were you and you wanted to continue living in these worlds sometimes (like I like to) I'd suggest making several key, noticeable differences between reality and the dream world. Personally, I make up new laws of physics and a new social structure. As far as being out of school with no real skills, I have no idea what to tell you besides what you could probably tell yourself.