Why do I make up stuff in my head?

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Ok, so I have been obsessing with different things in my life. Sometimes, I would be obsessed with watching videos of high speed chases. Other times I would be obsessed with demographics of countries such as life expectancy, religious makeup, and ethnic/racial makeup.

What I don't understand is that if I can find information about my obsessions on the internet easily, why do I have to daydream and make up stuff in my head? I would make up fake countries and make up demographics for those countries. In fact, I have these 2 countries in my head where there is occasional warfare. I just waste time imagining stuff and as a result lose concentration to the real world. I am able to focus in the real world for a long time but once I get into the imagination mode, I find it really difficult to snap out of it. I usually easily get into the imaginary mode when I have nothing to do like sitting on the toilet bowl going to the washroom (I remember my mom used to ask me why it took so long for me to go poo ). Anyway, it seems as though my brain always needs to be thinking of something and making stuff up.

my brain is almost always making stuff up...unless I am very exhausted.

I make up stuff in my mind, constantly. I type out many different things that could be rock bands, on youtube. Sometimes I find something, and sometimes, I don't.

For as long as I can remember, I've always had an ongoing story in my head. Tried writing stories for years, but I have trouble with some aspects, such as plot. I may try again some day.

It's not as intense as when I was younger. There were times in my 20's when I'd get upset with myself for constantly falling into this imaginary world. Eventually, it tapered off, but I still do it, especially when I'm bored or waiting. And at bedtime, it helps me fall asleep. If for some reason I can't get into it (stress), I could be up all night.

Last edited by MechAnime on 28 May 2010, 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

I would say mine, and as it must, simply imagines or explores all kinds of things whenever it is not otherwise occupied.

my very vivid and immersive fantasy life keeps me relatively sane.

I do it all the time, make a world of my own up as if I live there and come here like it's a job.

Not sure what causes this and I never discussed it with any of my doctors. I'm seeing more and more aspies on this forum talk about it though which is great. I thought I was crazy or something. Tried all kinds of methods to get out of it so to speak. I guess it's an obsessive interest like any other.

I live in another world in my head. I'm also making stuff up in my mind. I think it's also related to ADD, not just AS.

Most people think Im zoning or spacing out when actually I have a movie playing in my head and its pretty amazing. One of the reasons I write some of my stories down is that I want the people that I love to see my world. As far as why...Ive always done it. I suppose its a built in defense mechanism to go to a place where I feel safe and happy. However, I also think it shows how creative and imaginative we are.

to me it seems just like creativity. potentially something you could harness.

Evidence to "autistic experts" that we can be imaginative.
Seriously though you should become a fantasy author. Your lack of inner knowledge about the real world will open you to unexplored possibilities and your creativity can create plotlines.

I make up facts and figures anytime I don't have real ones to look at. It's either real research on an obsession or making up research on an obsession. That's what my mind does, pretty much as long as I'm awake!

because that is where your brain is.
you can only make up stuff in your brain.

Hah!

that makes sense even as a palindrome.

Well, does the stuff you made up entertain you? If you enjoy them then that's the answer. If you keep making up stuff that makes you bored or even depressed, that would be a bit weird.

I've always had various unrealistic fantasies. Some last very little while, some last for years. When I was little I had a fantasy that I was a rich man (I'm a girl) in one of those countries where polygamy was legal. I made up lots of detail of each of my wives, their names, looks, personality, even birthdays, and how many children each of them bore me. It's completely crazy but it's a lot of fun to imagine being the head of a large and busy family. When in reality I was a poor girl who didn't even own any toys. I had a collection of pebbles to represent my wives and children when playing.

Sometimes I think many "normal" people probably have all sorts of weird daydreams, too. For most people that's strictly private information and they don't tell anybody. Say who'd like a private island? A private country, or even a private planet of their own? It's perfectly reasonable that you made up some countries.