Living other peoples lives

LegacyUser

Lately over the past few years ive been doing this a lot because it makes me feel better about myself. However last year my psychiatrist who i dont go to any more told me not to do it and its really really bad etc etc. When i imagine myself as a victim of a terminal illness, victim of murder, horrific crime, homeless, sick it makes me appreciate what i have more. for Instance last night i watched a program about homeless people on bbc and i felt really good about myself all day today
anyhow im just looking for peoples opinions on this, if you do it yourself or if you think its wrong like my psychiatrist why so? thanx

Doodee

Zoolander:" I thought about reading to underprivilaged children, and just thinking about it was the most rewarding experience i have had in my life"

Sleepy

I can't see any harm as long as it's something you onlly do either fleetingly or for short periods of time. However, if you're doing this for prolonged periods of time it's probably not too healthy...

It's something I often do on a bus but there's no ulterior motive for it, I just spot someone and imagine what it'd be like to live their lives.

joePC

Yeah do it all the time (((Day dreaming))) but changing character would be a bit strange it this what your talkin about?

Thanks joePC

Oriel

Well, I wouldn't say I do it "all the time", but when everything "seems" to be going against me, I stop and image myself in a *much* worse situation. And, for that moment, everything becomes much better.
I guess I wouldn't go as far as a terminal illness, as those people would live a completely different life to me, but I do image me in a similiar enough situation , but a lot worse off.

...if that makes sense.
But, I'd like to know the reasons behind your psychiatrist advising you against it. Did s/he say exactly?

deimos

I do something similar, constructing imaginary scenarios where I am in some awkard position, and imagine how I would get myself out of it(ata killing somebody, the bus falling over and a peice of metal gone through my chest)....

I don't find them to be dangerous at all really, you'de be suprised when one of those unlikely situations comes into play and you have it already thought out, instantanious action.

Rnger

[edit: this is a warning Rnger, if you have nothing to contribute don't say anything at all. << Fio >>]

tibilt

i havnt heard that one in years....

azezil

You imagine yourself as the victim, a victim receives attention, perhaps you feel you don't get enough attention in your life, introverted, quiet, shy perhaps? and while these fantasies make you feel better they don't address the problem, they in fact make it worse as you're avoiding dealing with your ‘real life’ problems. If you continue you could end up shutting yourself off from reality altogether. (which is apparently a bad thing )

yellum

And thus begins the first stage in Munchausen Syndrome....

Atreides

Originally posted by yellum
And thus begins the first stage in Munchausen Syndrome....

OT: yellum I finds your signatures extremely disturbing and unsettling. Nots asking you to do anything about it, just i find them very thought provoking.

sceptre

Originally posted by yellum
And thus begins the first stage in Munchausen Syndrome....

It's at least a possibility.

bug

Lately over the past few years ive been doing this a lot because it makes me feel better about myself. However last year my psychiatrist who i dont go to any more told me not to do it and its really really bad etc etc. When i imagine myself as a victim of a terminal illness, victim of murder, horrific crime, homeless, sick it makes me appreciate what i have more. for Instance last night i watched a program about homeless people on bbc and i felt really good about myself all day today
anyhow im just looking for peoples opinions on this, if you do it yourself or if you think its wrong like my psychiatrist why so? thanx

I have never experienced what you imagine, I did used to daydream about me saving the day as a child/young adult, to make myself feel good probably but thats about it

your taking empathy to the extreme. Its ok to identify with people's emotions, of course it is, you wouldnt be human if you didnt. Why do you do this particularly, do you imagine these situations in detail/graphically and run through scenarios in your head? or do you just put yourself in their shoes for a brief moment?

I imagine that you are attending a psychiatrist for other issues, and in that case he/she would know the reason why he is putting you off this method you have of identifying with peoples feelings, possibly because its taking you away from reality, and facing up. Either way why didnt you ask the psychiatrist why he/she was advising against this?

If you want to experience these feelings "for real" maybe you should help out in an old folks home or some other charity work. It might distract from how you feel and get you out of your head and into the real world.

KlodaX

I enjoy watching Ricky Lake for the same reason... always walk away feeling 'better' ... I'm not dating my mothers girlfriend ... I'm not a 20 stone transvestite that likes to wear hotpants and kids clothing....

but then again ... I don't go round all day imagining I am these people.

I imagion good scenarios .... that everything is fiction ... *we all know it isn't real* .... and that I can be any character I wish in this tale.

That may delimit you. The people you are empathising with seem to have something holding them back. Something that makes them less fortunate, less free.

Why not try taking on the role of someone you'd admire ... or wish to have the experiences they have?

I think if you imagion or wish for something enough. It will actually happen.