Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff. Fantasies are imaginary, daydream-like scenarios that individuals play out in their heads. Indulging in fantasies may seem like a waste of time, but they are far from frivolous. Most fantasies serve a specific purpose: They can be entertaining, distracting, frightening, or, in the case of sexual fantasies, arousing.
Fantasizing about specific goals can foster creativity , help someone better understand their wants and needs, and even enable them to plan for the future. Other than that, however, most fantasies remain just thatβfantasies. Daydreaming is generally considered a universal experience, but some minds naturally wander more than others. Some research suggests that those who report more frequent daydreams are more creative or more easily distractible than those who report fewer fantasies.
Generally, yes. Daydreaming is associated with greater creativity in children and heightened productivity in adults , and has been shown to help individuals solve complex problems. In some cases, however, people report that their daydreams are derailing or frustrating. In certain mental health disorders, such as delusional disorder and schizophrenia, fantasies can be mistaken for reality and trigger paranoia or dangerous behavior.
Everyone daydreams occasionally and covers a wide range of imagined topics. Others daydream about things that are purely fantastical, like developing superpowers or traveling through time. In most cases, yes. Repetitive thoughts or fantasies may also be indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Seeking the help of a therapist or other medical professional can be helpful. The human mind is sexual, creative, and exploratory, and fantasizing is one way people satisfy their sexual needs and wants.
As a result, most people experience a range of enticing, disturbing, or challenging sexual fantasies. Sexual fantasies are normal for most adults regardless of gender , age, or relationship status.
