Fictophilia Mental Health

There have been cases where people, sometimes humorously and other times more seriously, profess a strong attraction to a fictional character. It turns out that there is a name for this phenomenon, and a surprisingly large number of individuals experience it.

A disorder called fictophilia (Fictophilia Mental Health) causes someone to feel romantic feelings, intense cravings, and even sexual attraction for a fictional figure. It is distinct from simple appreciation and more like real-world infatuation. Although it is a strange idea, it is not difficult to comprehend given the wide variety of gorgeous individuals in the fictitious world.

Fictophilia is most prevalent among fans of anime. Most men and women are drawn to and almost worship anime characters (loving cartoon characters). The anime men are expertly portrayed and crafted to be perfect personas that appeal to a wide audience which brings people to have a fictional crush.

Despite being fully aware of the characters’ fictional status and the parasocial nature of their relationship, the person may still feel uncomfortable because of their affection for the characters because they cannot engage with them like they can with real people.

There hasn’t been much research on fictosexuality. However, new attachment studies (Erikson, 2018) mention that attachment objects may also be made up. Most parasocial attachment studies have not specifically looked into the parasocial traits exhibited by fictional characters.

Is Fictophilia a Mental Illness?

Although fictosexuality is not a diagnosable mental condition or disorder, its stigma still exists. Because of the relationship’s perceived sexual nature and the idea that there is something wrong with fictosexuals, people are both captivated by and critical of fictophilia disorder. Recent studies have shown that fictophiles frequently face stigma, which could be lessened by peer support.

Fictophilia Psychology

It is occasionally compared to or confused with aegosexuality (where people only experience sexual attraction or desire for someone when they have an emotional connection with another person) or demisexuality (someone who seldom feels sexual attraction to other people). Grey asexuality, or greysexuality, is the term used to describe people who only sometimes or weakly experience sexual attraction. The concept that sexuality isn’t black or white is supported by graysexuals, who fall between the asexual and allosexual categories.

One requirement of a “fetish” or sexual fantasy is that the object of one’s attraction must only be a fictitious character, not a real person. The bond to the character frequently transcends sexual fantasies and may not even be sexual; fictosexuals can get romantically attracted to characters (love and sexuality). Fictosexuality emerges as an adult version of pretend play, similar to what Vygotsky saw in the non-aggressive imaginative play of schoolchildren and adolescents. It’s vital to understand that fictosexuality varies on the person’s orientation and is not always “straight” or LGBTQ+.

Why Am I Only Attracted To Anime Characters?

Graysexuality is closely related to fictosexuality, which is seen as a subset of asexuality. Fictosexuals can undoubtedly relate to people of various orientations. Some fictosexuals identify as bifictosexuals, which means they are drawn to both male and female characters, or as aro/ace fictosexuals, which means they are romantically, asexually, and fictosexual.

The person is completely aware of the characters’ fictional status and the relationship’s parasocial nature. Yet, their sentiments toward the characters may make them uncomfortable because they cannot engage with them as they do with others.

When viewers attempt to identify with a character they like, parasocial ties based on identification are created. It’s a goal of fiction to create likable characters or fictional crushes. They frequently possess the characteristics and features we strive for in ourselves. They appear to be leading lives that we would like to lead.

People, especially those with low self-esteem, might sort of “take” these attributes into themselves by identifying with these personalities. It aids them in becoming their ideal selves.

You’ve probably observed that you frequently act like a favorite character when you watch them. You unconsciously observe their habits. Usually, the effect is transient. Then you discover a new favorite character, which you duplicate.

Some people may repeatedly watch a show to sustain their new image because the effect of this “personality theft” is transient. An easy outcome of this is media addiction.

There is nothing wrong with looking up to and using fictional figures as role models. They teach us a lot, and they can positively influence our personalities. In reality, our personalities are made up of various character traits.