Autistic Fantasy: A Defense Mechanism

Autistic Fantasy: An Immature Defense Mechanism

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:

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

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 refers to the defense as a form of denial. Or, to be exact, as denial in fantasy. Freud psist that denial in fantasy is a common occurrence in children.

She explains that we experience discomfort from more than the innerworld. 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 to 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 by Eugen Bleuler, citing autism as a symptom of dementia praecox (Schizophrenia). He defined autism as “the predilection for fantasy as against 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 “tempts 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 to 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 that 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.

1. Emotional Regulation

Engaging with fantasy allows individuals to regulate their emotions and manage psychological distress. It provides a safe space to explore intense emotions and difficult experiences in a controlled environment. By immersing themselves in fictional narratives, individuals can process their emotions indirectly, reducing the risk of becoming overwhelmed.

See Emotional Regulation for more on this topic

2. Escapism

One of the primary functions of fantasy as a defense mechanism is escapism. It offers a temporary escape from real-life problems and enables individuals to take a break from their worries and responsibilities. Whether through books, movies, video games, or daydreaming, engaging with fantasy provides a much-needed respite and a chance to recharge.

3. Creativity and Imagination

Fantasy nurtures creativity and imagination, encouraging individuals to think outside the box and explore limitless possibilities. It allows them to reshape their reality and envision alternative outcomes. This creative engagement can improve problem-solving skills, broaden perspectives, and enhance cognitive flexibility.

4. Psychological Empowerment

Fantasy empowers individuals by offering them a sense of control and agency. In a world where we often feel constrained by societal expectations and obligations, engaging with fantasy allows for the exploration of different roles and identities. It can boost self-confidence and provide a sense of empowerment, as individuals envision themselves as heroes or heroines capable of overcoming challenges.

5. Catharsis and Symbolism

Fantasy often incorporates symbolic elements that can resonate deeply with individuals’ inner struggles and emotions. Through allegorical representations, individuals can find catharsis and gain a new understanding of their own experiences. These symbolic narratives provide a framework for exploring complex emotions, traumas, and personal growth.

6. Social Connection

Engaging in fantasy can foster social connections and a sense of belonging. Shared fandoms and communities provide platforms for individuals to connect with like-minded people, forming bonds over common interests. This sense of community can be particularly valuable for individuals who feel misunderstood or isolated in their everyday lives.

Associated Concepts with 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.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In conclusion, fantasy serves as a defense mechanism that offers emotional regulation, escapism, creativity, psychological empowerment, catharsis, and social connection. While it is important to strike a balance between fantasy and reality, embracing the power of imagination can be a valuable tool for self-care and personal growth when employed within notable limits.

Last Update: April 11, 2024

References:

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

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

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. (Archive)

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

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

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

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

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

Somer E, Abu-Rayya HM, Brenner R. (2021) Childhood Trauma and Maladaptive Daydreaming: Fantasy Functions and Themes In A Multi-Country Sample (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32845809/). J Trauma Dissociation. 2021;22(3):288-303. Accessed 6/1/2022.

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

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