Lost in a World of Their Own: Exploring Autistic Fantasy

Autistic fantasy refers to a defensive strategy of escape from reality through retreat to the magical imaginations of our mind. While daydreaming is common, autistic fantasy replaces social interactions to a significant extent, leading to challenges in problem-solving and daily functioning. The label ‘autistic’ does not imply the use of this mechanism is primarily by autistic individuals but part of the label because of the functional similarity with the common use of fantasy in autism. Most recent literature has dropped ‘autistic’ from this defense mechanism, simply referring to it as ‘fantasy.’

Autistic Fantasy is a powerful defense mechanism that allows individuals to escape from reality and find solace in imaginary worlds. It serves as a coping mechanism and provides a refuge from the challenges and stresses of everyday life. However, it also has many dangerous and growth inhibiting elements that must be cautiously avoided.

Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals unconsciously use to cope with or protect themselves from feelings of anxiety, discomfort, or emotional distress. These mechanisms operate on an unconscious level and serve as a way to defend against threatening thoughts or emotions. Here are some commonly recognized defense mechanisms:

• Denial: Refusing to accept or acknowledge an uncomfortable reality or truth.
• Projection: Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to someone else.
• Repression: Pushing distressing or threatening thoughts, memories, or feelings into the unconscious mind.
• Rationalization: Creating logical or acceptable reasons or explanations to justify one’s behavior or decisions.
• Regression: Resorting to earlier, less mature patterns of behavior as a way to cope with stress or anxiety.
• Sublimation: Channeling socially unacceptable impulses or emotions into more socially acceptable activities.
• Displacement: Redirecting emotions, thoughts, or impulses from their original target to a substitute target.
• Intellectualization: Overemphasizing intellectual and rational aspects to avoid emotional discomfort.
• Reaction Formation: Expressing opposite or exaggerated feelings and behaviors to mask true thoughts or desires.

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These defense mechanisms can be helpful in managing distress temporarily, but they can also be maladaptive if they are relied upon excessively or hinder personal growth and self-awareness. It’s important to note that defense mechanisms operate on an unconscious level, and individuals may not be aware of their use in their daily lives.

See Defense Mechanisms for more on this topic

History of Autistic Fantasy

Anna Freud

Anna Freud contributed substantial literature to the defense mechanism of autistic fantasy. However, she never referred to it directly as “autistic fantasy.” She referred to the defense as a form of denial, or, to be exact, as denial in fantasy. Freud posits that denial in fantasy is a common occurrence in children.

She explains that we experience discomfort from more than the inner world. We also experience discomfort from external realities. She explains that “a little child’s ego still lives in accordance with the pleasure principle; it is a long time before it is trained to bear unpleasure.” Freud explains that children don’t have the resources to oppose the outside world actively. She wrote, “as a rule, the child is too helpless physically to take flight, and his understanding is as yet too limited for him to see the inevitable in the light of reason and submit to it.”

In an effort to defend against the displeasure of external realities, children employ defenses. In a case study of a young child, she discovered the use of fantasy. She explained that the child “denied reality by means of his fantasy; he transformed it to suit his own purposes and to fulfill his own wishes; then, and not till then, could he accept it” (Freud, 1937).

Autism in Early Psychological Literature

In early literature, autism was listed as a symptom rather than a separate disorder. The word “autism” is attributed to Eugen Bleuler, citing autism as a symptom of dementia praecox (schizophrenia). He defined autism as “the predilection for fantasy as opposed to reality, and the inclination to divorce oneself from reality” (Bleuler, 1911, p. 14).

In 1976, George Vaillant added fantasy to the list of defenses along with “passive aggression, hypochondriasis, acting-out, suppression, humor, and anticipation” (Vaillant, 1976). Vaillant’s empirical testing of fantasy established the mechanism as an immature defense. Continued research on the hierarchical listing of defense mechanisms continued to group fantasy as an immature defense.

Hierarchical charts typically list the defense on a scale of 1 to 7 with seven being the most adaptive. Fantasy is considered a level 3 defense (disavowal), along with denial, projection, and rationalization. A common assessment tool is the DMRS-Q developed by John Christopher Perry.

Elements of Autistic Fantasy as a Defense Mechanism

Fantasy in Children

Perhaps, fantasy is most prevalent in children. Young children escape the confines of simple childhood through vivid imagination. They playfully engage in fantasy where they can soar above the confining walls of their childhood existence. They become doctors, astronauts, and scientists. Their fantasies are developmentally appropriate, associated with curiosity and creativity.

Alfred Adler wrote, “if the children’s blundering efforts to be recognized as people in their own right are greeted by inadequate understanding or by positively hurtful criticism – by lack of love, in brief – then children must be driven to the conclusion that they are not as good as others and are flawed in some dreadful and dispiriting way.” He continues that these environments “tempt children to turn from accepting their experiences and relationships as the source of self-esteem, and to depend instead either on retreat into a fantasy world of dreams or a compensatory pretense of some kind” (Adler, 2009).

As a child develops, the fantasies change as well. Carl Jung dreamed of living in a castle where he didn’t have to go to school. He drifted into this fantasy world everyday as he walked home from school. However, as he grew older, he outgrew this fantasy world. he transformed his childhood dreams into a passionate drive to learn about the history of castles (Jung, 2016).

Vaillant found in his research that the defense of autistic fantasy declined with age, at least for most. Fantasy often was associated with maladaptive development.

Maladaptive Fantasy

My six year old grandson has a huge imagination. Behind my recliner, there is an organized collection of old electronic gadgets, routers, hard drives, and charges. He calls it his laboratory. He also brings his imagination outside when we do chores. My grandson organizes break times, pretends to be the supervisor, and creates a narrative around the work. At times, his imagination and narrative drifts from the work to a whole new objective. I have to gently direct him back to the task of picking up autumn leaves, explaining that imagination is good but it can’t supplant the work that we should be doing.

The point is that the fantasy becomes maladaptive when it interferes with the primary tasks of living and growing. While adults tend to not act out their fantasies in role playing game, they do disconnect from reality in the fantasies they entertain in their minds.

Imposing Fantasy onto the External World

Phebe Cramer explains that “the fantasies, uninfluenced by external events, acquire a salience that rivals external reality. Eventually, these fantasies come to exist as an alternative reality. The denial function of this personally constructed alternative reality is manifest when it is imposed on the external world” (Cramer, 2012, p. 38).

The fantasy emerges from the world of make believe and twists reality to conform to its distorted perception. This is much different than the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies where the predicted outcome is mendable by our behavior.

Other maladaptive fantasies may intertwine with reality. Cramer wrote, “a second form of denial occurs more on the cognitive level and involves the construction of a personal fantasy. The individual’s involvement in this fantasy rivals the perception of reality and replaces it in significant portions of the person’s experience.” She continues, “these fantasies may also be imposed on reality, with an insistence that other people agree with the fantasy and ignore reality” (Cramer, 2012, p. 38). Perhaps much of the rhetoric in politics is this attempt to force a few individual fantasies onto a significant group of voters.

Fantasy of Superiority and Elitism

An ugly form of fantasy is when it morphs into a mask of superiority. In order to escape fears of inadequacy, individuals create a fantasy of superiority. Karen Horney explains that the individual suffering from inferiority “in order to endure life… must now entrench (themselves) more firmly in (their) private fantasy-world” (Horney, 1991). Unfortunately, part of the fantasy involves discrediting, hurting, and ignoring others who threaten their protective fantasy of greatness.

Possible Benefits of Autistic Fantasy

Fantasy has some measured benefits. All defense mechanisms offer some psychological rewards. The reward is why they become unconscious patterns in our lives.

Emotional Regulation

Engaging with fantasy serves as a vital tool for emotional regulation, allowing individuals to navigate complex feelings and manage psychological distress effectively. This immersive experience provides a safe haven where they can explore intense emotions and challenging situations within the confines of their imagination. By delving into fictional narratives—whether through literature, film, or daydreaming—individuals can indirectly process their experiences and emotions, gaining insights that might be difficult to confront directly.

This exploration not only offers an escape from overwhelming realities but also enables them to experiment with different outcomes and perspectives in a controlled environment. As such, fantasy acts as both a refuge and a means of self-discovery, fostering resilience against life’s challenges while promoting personal growth.

See Emotional Regulation for more on this topic

Escapism

One of the primary functions of fantasy as a defense mechanism is escapism, which plays a crucial role in providing individuals with a temporary reprieve from the often overwhelming challenges of real life. This form of escape allows people to step away from their worries and responsibilities, creating an invaluable opportunity for relaxation and mental rejuvenation. By immersing themselves in fictional worlds—whether through engaging books, captivating movies, immersive video games, or even vivid daydreams—individuals can momentarily detach from their everyday struggles and explore new perspectives. This engagement not only serves as a much-needed break but also facilitates emotional healing by allowing them to recharge mentally and emotionally. Ultimately, this process fosters resilience and creativity while helping individuals cope more effectively with the demands of their daily lives.

Creativity and Imagination

Fantasy plays a crucial role in nurturing creativity and imagination, serving as a catalyst that encourages individuals to think outside the box and explore a vast array of limitless possibilities. By immersing themselves in fantastical narratives—whether through storytelling, art, or imaginative play—individuals are granted the freedom to reshape their reality and envision alternative outcomes that challenge conventional boundaries. This creative engagement not only allows for playful exploration but also fosters essential skills such as problem-solving, where innovative solutions can be discovered through unconventional thinking.

Furthermore, engaging with fantasy broadens perspectives by exposing individuals to diverse scenarios and viewpoints they may not encounter in their everyday lives; this exposure enhances cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt one’s thinking and approach when faced with new information or challenges. Ultimately, the process of weaving together elements of fantasy cultivates an environment ripe for intellectual growth, enabling individuals to translate their imaginative insights into real-world applications that can enrich both personal development and professional endeavors.

Psychological Empowerment

Fantasy serves as a powerful tool for empowerment, providing individuals with a sense of control and agency in an increasingly complex world where societal expectations and obligations can often feel overwhelming. By engaging with fantasy, whether through literature, film, or imaginative play, people are afforded the opportunity to explore diverse roles and identities that they may not typically encounter in their everyday lives. This exploration allows them to envision themselves as heroes or heroines capable of overcoming formidable challenges, thereby boosting self-confidence and fostering a belief in their own capabilities. As they navigate these imaginary worlds, individuals can confront fears and insecurities within a safe space, leading to personal growth and resilience. Ultimately, the ability to step into different personas not only enhances one’s sense of self but also instills a profound understanding that they possess the power to shape their reality and rise above obstacles—a realization that is both liberating and transformative.

Catharsis and Symbolism

Fantasy frequently weaves in symbolic elements that resonate profoundly with individuals’ inner struggles and emotions, acting as a mirror reflecting their psychological landscapes. These allegorical representations serve not only as creative expressions but also as powerful tools for personal exploration and healing. When individuals engage with these rich narratives, they often find catharsis—an emotional release that enables them to confront and process feelings they may have otherwise suppressed or ignored.

Through the lens of fantasy, complex emotions and traumas can be examined from a safe distance, allowing for greater understanding without the immediate pressure of real-world implications. This framework encourages individuals to navigate their experiences thoughtfully, facilitating personal growth by transforming pain into meaning. As they journey through these symbolic realms, people can uncover insights about themselves and their circumstances that lead to profound realizations and shifts in perspective, ultimately empowering them to approach their realities with renewed strength and clarity.

Social Connection

Engaging in fantasy not only serves as a personal escape but also plays a crucial role in fostering social connections and cultivating a sense of belonging among individuals. Within shared fandoms and communities, people find platforms to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar passions, interests, and imaginative pursuits. These communal spaces allow for the exchange of ideas, stories, and experiences that reinforce relationships built on mutual understanding and appreciation.

For those who may feel misunderstood or isolated in their everyday lives—whether due to social anxieties, unique perspectives, or unconventional interests—these supportive networks provide an invaluable refuge where they can express themselves freely without fear of judgment. The bonds formed within these communities often transcend mere friendship; they create a profound sense of kinship that fosters emotional support during challenging times. As members engage in discussions about their favorite narratives or partake in collaborative creative projects, they not only enhance their enjoyment of fantasy but also develop meaningful connections that contribute positively to their overall well-being and self-identity.

Specific Areas of Focus within Autistic Fantasy

Maladaptive Daydreaming

Maladaptive daydreaming is a mental health issue where a person daydreams excessively. Accordingly, maladaptive daydreaming may occupy several hours of every day, interfering with normal functioning. In addition, maladaptive daydreaming is often a symptom of other disorders such as:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Certain types of depression
• Dissociative disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Fantasy Proneness

Studies in fantasy proneness found that individuals differ in their abilities to engage in fantasy. These differences are associated with personality styles. “Fantasizers live a large part of the time in their own making world; they have vivid and rich imaginary, excellent perceptive abilities, and intense sensory experiences” (Sánchez-Bernardos, et al., 2015). These character traits are both a blessing and a curse. While healthy imaginations promote creativity, it also lends to higher susceptibility to psychopathy.

One could assume that those more prone to fantasy are more likely to also fantasy as a defense mechanism to avoid tough realities in life.

Associated Concepts

• Adaptation Psychology: This refers to the area of psychology dealing with organisms survival instinct to adapt to external environments and conditions.
• Magical Thinking: This is a cognitive process or belief system where individuals link unrelated events and believe that one event can directly influence the outcome of another event, even though there is no logical connection between them.
• Counterfactual Thinking: This refers to the cognitive process of imagining and reflecting on alternative outcomes or events that differ from what actually happened. It involves mentally constructing “what if” scenarios and considering how things could have turned out differently.
• Rational Thinking: The cognitive processes underlying counterfactual imagination may be similar to those that underlie rational thinking, as both involve evaluating alternatives and consequences.
• Creativity (A Character Trait): This refers to the trait to generate original ideas, solutions, or expressions through imaginative thinking and originality. It involves the use of inventive and unconventional approaches to problem-solving, as well as the creation of new and unique works or concepts in various domains such as art, science, literature, and more.
• Piaget’s Cognitive Development: This theory describes how children develop intellectually as they interact with the world around them. These stages outline the progression of children’s abilities to understand the world, solve problems, and think critically as they grow.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In summary, fantasy functions as a multifaceted defense mechanism that can enhance our emotional well-being, offering pathways to emotional regulation and escapism. By immersing ourselves in imaginative realms, we create safe spaces for exploration and play that allow us to navigate the complexities of real life with renewed energy. This balance between engaging with fantasy and confronting reality is crucial; when used thoughtfully, our imagination can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and resilience.

Moreover, tapping into our creativity through fantasy fosters psychological empowerment, enabling us to envision new possibilities for ourselves. It cultivates connections with others who share similar passions and interests while providing an avenue for catharsis—an essential process in addressing suppressed emotions. As we harness the transformative power of imagination within healthy boundaries, we not only enrich our lives but also unlock deeper insights about ourselves, paving the way toward a more fulfilling existence grounded in both creativity and authenticity.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

References:

Adler, Alfred (1927/2009). Understanding Human Nature: The Psychology of Personality. Oneworld Publications; 3rd edition. (Return to Article)

Bleuler, Eugene (1911/1950). Dementia Praecox or The Group of Schizophrenias (Monograph Series on Schizophrenia). ‎International Universities Press. (Return to Article)

Cramer, Phebe (2012). The Development of Defense Mechanisms: Theory, Research, and Assessment. Springer. (Return to Article)

Freud, Anna (1937). The Ego and Mechanisms of Defense. ​Routledge; 1st edition. (Return to Article)

Horney, Karen (1950/1991). Neurosis and Human Growth: The struggle toward self-realization. W. W. Norton & Company; 2nd edition. (Return to Article)

Jung, Carl (1923/2016). Psychological Types. Routledge; 1st edition. (Return to Article)

Sánchez-Bernardos, M., Hernández Lloreda, M., Avia, M., & Bragado-Alvarez, C. (2015). Fantasy Proneness and Personality Profiles. “Imagination, Cognition and Personality”,34(4), 327-339. DOI: 10.1177/0276236615572584 (Return to Article)

Vaillant, George E. (1976). Natural History of Male Psychological Health: V. The Relation of Choice of Ego Mechanisms of Defense to Adult Adjustment. Archives of General Psychiatry, 33(5), 535-545. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1976.01770050003001 (Return to Article)

Additional Resources:

Bond, M., Gardner, S., Christian, J., & Sigal, J. (1983). Empirical Study of Self-rated Defense Styles. Archives of General Psychiatry, 40(3), 333-338. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1983.01790030103013

Cramer, Phebe (2006). Protecting the Self: Defense Mechanisms in Action. ‎The Guilford Press; 1st edition.

Somer E, Abu-Rayya HM, Brenner R. (2021) Childhood Trauma and Maladaptive Daydreaming: Fantasy Functions and Themes In A Multi-Country Sample. Journal of Trauma Dissociation. 2021;22(3):288-303. DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2020.1809599