Living in a fantasy world? Psychology says it may be your mind's way of coping with pain, emotional distress

Some people live in their heads more than in the world around them, finding comfort in imagined possibilities, idealised futures, or alternate versions of reality. Sitting by the car window and looking outside, they tend to create fake scenarios, sometimes in sync with the music playing in the car. At other times, their wind wanders off at 3 am, rehearsing conversations that never happened, replaying old memories, or imagining how different choices might change the course of their lives. While occasional daydreaming is a common part of being human, psychology suggests that for some people, retreating into fantasy can serve a deeper purpose.

According to a report by Psychology Today, delusions help some people cope with emotional pain, uncertainty, stress or difficult experiences that feel too overwhelming to confront directly. This idea has gained attention among researchers who argue that not all delusions should be viewed solely as symptoms of dysfunction.

When the mind creates a refuge

Philosopher Lisa Bortolotti describes certain beliefs as ‘motivated delusions’ aka mental constructions that may arise because they fulfil an important psychological need. Rather than emerging randomly, these beliefs can help individuals preserve a sense of stability when reality becomes emotionally unbearable.

A similar perspective is reflected in what psychologist Ryan McKay and philosopher Daniel Dennett call the ‘shear pin’ theory of delusion. In mechanical systems, a shear pin is designed to break under excessive strain, preventing more serious damage to the machine. Applied to mental health, the theory proposes that some delusions may act as a temporary protective mechanism. In other words, a small break from reality could sometimes prevent a much larger psychological collapse during periods of extreme distress.

A centuries-old idea about survival

Interestingly, versions of this idea can be traced back more than two centuries. In his 1818 work on mental illness, German psychiatrist Johann Christian August Heinroth suggested that the mind may occasionally retreat into a dream-like state when faced with intense emotional suffering. He believed that under overwhelming circumstances, the imagination could attempt to compensate for painful realities by creating alternative interpretations of the world. Rather than seeing these experiences as meaningless, Heinroth viewed them as the mind's attempt to endure what might otherwise feel impossible to bear.

This perspective also has important implications for treatment and recovery. If certain delusions serve a protective function, experts caution against viewing them as the problem in isolation. Focusing exclusively on eliminating the belief without understanding the emotional wound beneath it may overlook the very reason it developed in the first place. In some cases, addressing the underlying trauma, grief or distress may be more helpful than challenging the belief directly.

Protection, purpose and potential risks

Researchers have also suggested that delusions can provide a sense of meaning and coherence when a person's perception of reality begins to shift. They may offer explanations, structure or emotional comfort during periods of confusion and uncertainty. But that does not necessarily mean all delusions are beneficial.

Experts increasingly recognise that the reality is far more nuanced. Some may serve an adaptive purpose in the short term, while others can be deeply disruptive and require clinical intervention. Rather than viewing delusions through a single lens, psychologists argue for a more balanced understanding, one that acknowledges both their potential protective role and their capacity to cause harm.