What is Escapism?
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Escapism is a way of refocusing one’s attention on things pleasant or enjoyable, as opposed to the hard realities of the everyday world. It can be a healthy means for not getting completely depressed by reality, or in extreme forms, can result in obsessive behaviors that make people completely ignore reality to their detriment.
Healthy escapism is probably one of the first practices of the developing human species. Who can evaluate such things as cave paintings or the first works of artisans without suggesting that people sometimes needed to focus on things that were not mundane or entirely useful? Little usefulness might be derived from painting a cave painting, or from looking at one. There may have been some practical impetus behind artistic intent, such as teaching people how to slay a mammoth. In reality, however, the focus on something other than the mundane was likely a relief.
Modern escapism in a healthy sense could include reading a favorite book, watching a sports program, watching “mindless” television, or playing a few hours of Tetris. There is very little harm in the occasional escape from reality in such forms.
Some argue however, that escapism may ultimately become addictive. For example, current studies are now focusing on the emerging condition of Internet addiction. In Internet addiction, people may spend most hours of the day and night surfing the Internet. They may do so in preference to working in the world, or in preference to having “real life” relationships with other people. What begins as a mere search on a topic, may end in a life lived in front of a computer monitor when escapism becomes extreme.
Some people argue that those who get excessively involved as fans of certain television shows or series of books are pursuing an unhealthy level of escapism. For example, people look to Trekkies, or comic books fans that dress up or attempt to live as their favorite characters, as having lost themselves in escapism. In their defense, many devoted fans live very normal lives, and have children, relationships and regular jobs. However, they may spend their weekends attending conferences to escape into an idealized world that seems a better substitute than exploring the hard truths of this world.
Activities perceived normal, like eating, sleeping or sexual activity may also be deemed as escapist when they are practiced in excess. For example, sleeping over half the day to the point where one cannot pursue a normal life is termed escapism. Such sleeping may be caused by illnesses that creates exhaustion, or may actually be symptomatic of mental illnesses like depression. Often the person uses sleep as escapism from a life filled with emotional or physical pain.
It is not too difficult to guess why we all need to occasionally practice escapism. A glance at a morning newspaper tends to reveal literally hundreds of deaths, as well as articles about kidnappings, child abuse, and major disasters. Additionally, work inside or out of the home can be stressful, and escapism is a way to avoid feeling constantly under stress.
However, when escapism runs rampant, it prevents us from living in the world as truly engaged. It can lead to addiction, breakdown of relationships and inability to actually survive in the real world. Moderate escapism, on the other hand, may actually make us more effective participants in the world, since we allow ourselves to take mental breaks that reduce our stress.
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11
you could take any task or any belief and call it escapism.
the argument that religion is a form of escapism is an interesting one and seemingly very plausible one. not only christianity - any religion. in fact, it could be seen as the ultimate form of escapism, escaping the question of who we are, where we came from, why things happen. by accepting certain religions and the beliefs instilled by them, you ignore all scientific and logical reasoning countering those belief systems. you're not necessarily ignorant. you're simply escaping from something you choose not to believe. - anon50956
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Technically, religion is escapism. However most people can live moderate escapism, thus many religious people living seemingly normal lives. As anything, there are always exceptions. Overzealous relgious fanatics are letting their benign existance become ruled by "god's missions". That is an extreme form of escapism through religion. If anything god is the greatest escape from reality imaginable. You really have to look at it from an arbitrary standpoint though. - anon41234
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sorry, to clarify, christianity is not a form of escapism. otherwise you're saying everyone who believes in a religion is indulging in escapism. God is a belief and not a means to run away.
just my opinion, but God is real, how can you look at people made up of a miniscule cell, the world, the big bang, the golden ratio, etc and not see the beauty of creation? feel free to disagree, only an opinion, but God is the only way to salvation :) - anon37539
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@29581: God is just another form of escapism. - anon32721
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I have to wholeheartedly agree with anon5437. I am a pro escapist- pulling off a major, life-altering crisis about once every 7 years. The last one was really bad! --because upon returning to reality, not only was the original problem still there, but now new problems and consequences were piled on top.I returned to reality after 6 months of living in "checked out" mode-- this was 3 years ago. I am still picking up the pieces. God is good to me, in showing me that I can stop the escapism if I will call it what it is (a very unhealthy, harmful habit) and submit to Him. I have not mastered this, but have managed to stay with reality by prayer and obedience to God. -ML - anon29581
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I'm there with anon21641.I love to read to get away and am very interested in manga, reading it constantly as well. I attend conventions with like minded people, one point of reality I tend to stand, seeing as people are generally accepting and I could certainly go on about how much kinder and more accepting the people are. I can't stand thinking about reality to the point of... well, you understand, I'm sure. I constantly am reading or daydreaming... or wishing I'm doing one of them. I don't really know whether I should stop and risk depression or continue and become constantly less satisfied. To actually comment on the topic: This article is consistent with everything else I've read and could certainly be a good source for some. - anon26349
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well, i've been searching the internet for quite a while now, cause i think i have some form of mental illness which i guess has to do with escapism and depression. :( as bittersweet as it can be, i kind of find it crushing at times and its getting worse. i clearly CAN tell fantasy and what is real apart, and maybe that is why it hurts so bad :( never heard of anyone else having the same problems - thanks for the article - anon21641
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can someone please define reality in one sentence for me? - anon20256
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Interesting comments from anon5437 & anon18172,I'd have to say that escapism in the form of a harmless mental trip is not likely to be that damaging to a person's psyche. In fact when people go into great stress or shock, the mind turns off for a while, suggesting there may be an evolutionary basis for escapism. Certainly it can be carried too far, but a moment or two of indulging in fantasy may help refresh the mind and increase focus. Case in point: When I get stuck on a writing topic, I often take a few moments of doing something else that isn't all that productive (playing Sudoku for instance). J.K. Rowling also discusses how she would play a few video games when she got stuck writing (Mine Field I think), especially when she quit smoking. Playing a video game for a few minutes isn't going to get your writing done, but at least I found that it does help me come back to a project with renewed focus. It doesn't seem to have damaged Ms. Rowling's success as a writer, either (though I'm certainly not comparing my writing to hers) I like the questions raised by anon18172. Can you escape from things by doing chores, meeting with friends, etc? I guess this could be a form of escapism if you're preferencing chores over something you really have to do first? It's an interesting comment! Thank you both for your comments and keep them coming! Tricia EC - WGwriter
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The matter of fact is that escapism is neglect of everyday problem solving, foolish time consumption and escape from everyday duties and responsibilities, ie. cleaning places, washing dishes, studying, meeting with friends etc.What about those who chose these everyday duties and responsibilities, ie. cleaning places, washing dishes, studying, meeting with friends etc, as forms of escapism??? - anon18172
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Escapism actually doesn't reduce stress or anxiety but suppresses it. Escapists forget real life problems and challenges by escaping into imaginary worlds. What escapists leave undealt behind, they will have to face sooner than later. The stress is still there, the anxiety is still there, escapists are just suppressing their feelings by not dealing with their negative stress or anxiety or even pain.
Sure escapism helps people to unwind by focusing their mind away from stress and anxiety factors, but that sense of relaxation is only temporal escape which does more harm in the long run.
The bottom line is, there is no "healthy escapism". The matter of fact is that escapism is neglect of everyday problem solving, foolish time consumption and escape from everyday duties and responsibilities, ie. cleaning places, washing dishes, studying, meeting with friends etc. - anon5437
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Written by
Tricia Ellis-Christensen
Last Modified: 02 November 2009
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