It was 6:25 PM on February 16, and I was lying in bed, feeling exhausted and drained of energy. As I lay there thinking about what content to create, something weird, interesting, and strangely funny popped into my mind.
Have you ever experienced this?
Let's say someone betrayed you, hurt your feelings, or treated you unfairly. The situation was completely unfair— you were at a disadvantage, feeling so frustrated, yet you couldn't do anything about it. The emotions build up inside you, and instead of expressing them, you keep them in.
Then, out of nowhere, you find yourself mentally replaying the entire situation— but this time, with a twist. In your mind, you're voicing out all your frustrations, and there's someone listening to you, fully agreeing and supporting you. The funny part? That person is also "you"— you play both roles, the the one expressing your frustrations and the one offering sympathy.
Sometimes, you even imagine other people witnessing your pain, nodding in agreement, validating your emotions. And then, suddenly, you snap back to reality- your eyes are open, and you realize you were crying. The emotions felt so real, as if you had just watched a heartbreaking movie about your own life.
I started keeping track of these moments on my phone whenever I caught myself unconsciously creating these mental scenarios. Here are the questions I asked myself:
1. Am I losing my mind?
2. Why am I experiencing this? Do I have mental health problem?
3. What is the root cause? Why does this happen unconsciously?
4. What are the possible effects on my mental state and daily life? Advantages and disadvantages?
5. Am I the only one experiencing this? Do other people go through it too?
6. What is this phenomenon called? Are there medical terms for It?
So, to gain clarity about what was happening to me, I reached out to some of the people close to me and shared this scenario with them. I was surprised when they told me that they also experience this sometimes.
Then, I did some research and was shocked to discover that many people actually go through this— I'm not the only one.
So, the next thing I decided to do was to search for answers to my other questions to find the explanation behind it.
And here it is—based on my own research, this is what I discovered...
1. AM I LOSING MIND? No, you are not going crazy. What you're experiencing is a psychological coping mechanism that many people go through. It's a form of "internal processing" where the brain tries to make sense of emotional distress. Your mind is simply replaying, analyzing, and attempting to resolve the situation on its own.
2. WHY AM I EXPERIENCING THIS?! DO I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM? Experiencing these mental scenarios does not automatically mean you have a mental health disorder. However, it could be linked to stress, emotional suppression, or a deep need for validation.
This phenomenon often occurs when:
- You have "unresolved emotions" that were never fully expressed.
- You feel unheard or misunderstood in real life.
- You are naturally an "overthinker" or someone who analyzes situations deeply.
- You struggle with past trauma, and your mind uses this as a coping mechanism.
- You lack a strong emotional support system, so your mind creates one for you.
However, if this happens excessively to the point that it disrupts your daily life, causes extreme distress, or prevents you from engaging with reality, it "might" be associated with conditions like "rumination disorder, maladaptive daydreaming, anxiety, or even mild dissociation."
3. WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE? WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN UNCONSCIOUSLY? The root cause of these mental scenarios can be traced to:
- SUPRESSED EMOTION– is when you push your feelings down instead of expressing them. When this happens, your brain tries to deal with those emotions by creating imaginary conversations or scenarios in your mind. This can be a way your mind attempts to process what you're feeling, even though you're not showing it on the outside.
- UNPROCESSED TRAUMA– is when something deeply affected you, but you never got closure or fully dealt with it. As a result, your mind keeps bringing it up over and over, trying to make sense of it or find a way to heal.
- NEED FOR VALIDATION– is when you don't get support from others, so your brain creates an imaginary conversation where someone listens to you and offers the understanding or approval you're craving. It's like your mind tries to fill the gap of feeling heard and valued.
- STRESS AND EXHAUSTION– happen when your mind gets tired, and it can create these scenarios as a way to "process" or deal with the stress. It's like your brain is trying to work through everything, but in a way that might not be helpful or productive.
4. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON MY MENTAL STATE AND DAILY LIFE? ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES?
ADVANTAGES:
- It helps process emotions when no one else is around to listen.
- It allows for self-reflection and a deeper understanding of feelings.
- It can act as an emotional release, reducing the chances of emotional outbursts in real life.
DISADVANTAGES:
- It can become an unhealthy habit, leading to "overthinking and self-inflicted stress".
- If done excessively, it can create a "false reality", making it harder to confront real-life problems.
- It might cause emotional exhaustion, as your brain repeatedly "relives" distressing moments.
5. AM I THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS? DO OTHER PEOPLE GO THROUGH IT TOO? No, you are definitely not alone. Many people experience this, but they don't talk about it.
6. WHAT IS THIS PHENOMENON CALLED? ARE THERE MEDICAL TERMS FOR IT? Yes, there are psychological terms associated with this experience:
- RUMINATION– means thinking over and over about something upsetting without finding a solution. It's like replaying a bad memory in your mind, analyzing what happened, how unfair it was, or what you could have done differently—but without moving forward or feeling better. Instead of helping, it keeps you stuck in the same emotions, making you feel more frustrated, sad, or anxious.
- MALADAPTIVE DAYDRREAMING– happens when you get lost in detailed, intense daydreams that feel so real, they can distract you from your daily life. These daydreams are usually emotional, and you might create stories or situations in your mind to escape stress or boredom. While daydreaming is normal, it becomes a problem when it happens too much and makes it hard to focus or do real-life tasks. It can make you feel disconnected from what's actually happening around you.
- DISSOCIATIVE COPING MECHANISM– is when your mind mentally escapes from reality to deal with strong emotions. It's like zoning out or feeling detached from your surroundings because you're trying to avoid or numb emotional pain. This can happen during stressful or overwhelming situations as a way for your brain to protect you, but it can make it harder to stay grounded in the present moment.
- SELF-SOOTHING THROUGH INTERNAL DIALOGUE– is when you talk to yourself in your mind to help manage your emotions. It's like giving yourself comforting advice or reassurance to calm down when you're upset or stressed. This can help you process feelings and feel better, almost like being your own emotional support.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now I know that this experience is not a sign of being "crazy"— it's a sign that my brain is "trying to protect me from emotional pain." However, while it can be a temporary coping mechanism, based on my research, it's important to ensure it doesn't become an escape from reality.
So next time I catch yourself doing this, I need to take a step back and ask:
- Am I replaying this because I need closure?
- Can I express my feelings in a healthier way instead?
I am not alone. I am not crazy. I am simply human— exploring the complexities of emotions in the way my mind knows best.
What about you? Have you ever caught yourself doing this? Let's talk in the comments.
DISCLAIMER:
The information shared here is based on my own personal experiences and insights gathered from close individuals I've spoken to regarding similar situations. Please note that the details I discuss related to strange mental scenarios are based on my own research and questions. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information, as my research may not be 100% accurate. I strongly advise you to conduct your own research or consult a qualified medical professional if you are experiencing similar scenarios. Each person's situation is unique, and what worked for me may not apply to everyone. Always prioritize your health and well-being.
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