Escapism

Escapism is the avoidance of unpleasant situations by engaging in fantasy, entertainment, or other forms of distraction. It also pertains to the usual tendency to escape scary, difficult, or boring realities through various hobbies or daydreaming. For instance, we all do this to some extent when we bring out our gadgets (computers, tablets, e-readers, smart phones, hand-held games, etc.) and/or watch a video when we feel bored. However, when used too often or to an extreme level, escapism may lead to the inability to effectively face life’s problems very similar to the cases of those with substance abuse disorders.