Reality shifting
Also known as:
- shifting realities
- shiftok
- r/shifting realities
- lucid dreaming
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
People who practise reality-shifting describe it as a move from their current reality to a desired reality they are picturing. Although someone reality shifting may believe their experiences are more real than daydreaming, there is no scientific evidence to support this.
Reality shifting can begin by scripting or describing a detailed version of a desired reality. This may include physically writing or rehearsing mentally. A form of meditation or visualisation is then done. Repeating mantras can help to stay focused. After shifting (or waking up) in a desired reality, someone may ‘interact’ with others. Someone may report themselves as appearing or acting differently in a desired reality. Some repeatedly return to a desired reality.
Desired realities can be drawn from pop culture and fiction, like Harry Potter. A desired reality could also look like someone’s real life. This reality might feature recognisable people, like someone’s parents or love interest
There is a growing online community of reality shifters on forums and social media platforms, like TikTok.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Mental health
Reality shifting might make a young person lose touch with reality over time. They might struggle to work out what is real and what isn’t. Reality shifting may also be a symptom of a mental health condition, such as dissociative identity disorder or maladaptive daydreaming. Some young people may believe they can permanently shift or ‘permashift’ into a desired reality.
There are several types of dissociative disorders. There can be a range of harms associated with these conditions.
Becoming addicted
Some forms of daydreaming can potentially be addictive. A desired reality might make someone feel safer or happier. They might feel compelled to repeatedly return to it.
This can be a worry if reality shifting starts to negatively impact someone’s responsibilities or ‘real world’ life.
Relationship damage
Most people use reality shifting as a form of escapism. For example, their desired reality could be more positive, rewarding, or happy compared to the real world. Young people may have more friends, escape trauma, or find romance when in their imagined reality. As a result, they may not seek practical support or form real-world relationships.
They may also come to have unrealistic expectations of real-world relationships or life more generally.
Motivations
Reasons a young person may be attracted to reality-shifting include:
- curiosity about what they’ve seen on social media
- interacting with fantasy characters and environments
- joining an online community
- believing it good for their mental health
- enjoying the meditation aspect
- enjoying the challenge
A young person may also be attracted to reality-shifting to escape from problems and health issues, including:
- social anxiety, depression, or loneliness
- dissatisfaction with everyday life
- relationship issues
- mental health issues
Young people’s voice
I ended up waking up in a completely new world and at first I was in shock and couldn’t believe what I was seeing and after the shock subsided my whole view on realities and myself was completely flipped upside down it was just so mind blowing to me I could barely even fathom what I was experiencing with my senses
Young person
Reality Shifting Escapism gone too far?, Voicebox, 2023
That escapism leads to more anger/depression, which leads to more escapism. It’s a terrible cycle.
Young person
Reality Shifting Escapism gone too far?, Voicebox, 2023
What you can do
You may be working with a young person who is reality shifting or expressing an interest in it. Reality shifting is not necessarily risky or harmful. It can have positive components.
If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
Talking could be one way to help a young person recover from the negative experiences or consequences of reality-shifting. Discussions might involve:
- their mental health and wellbeing
- speaking to a trusted adult about any concerns they may have
- where to get specialist support if they feel unwell
- their motivations behind reality-shifting
- the role of social media or peers
- Mental health support for 11-18 year olds (MIND) – Website
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders – Website
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (Survivors Network) – Website
- Talking to someone with delusions, unusual beliefs or hallucinations (NHS) – Website
- Resources for professionals (Young Minds) – Website
Read more about reality shifting
Share your experience of reality shifting
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm