I’ve had some issues in my RL and I always find WoW as a better escape to have than alcohol, drugs etc. Really helps me get through tough times when I can just throw myself into my characters and the world and get away from it all. At moments when I’ve felt like a failure in my life WoW has given me some achievement, I know it might be pathetic that it is virtual. I love the social aspect of the game too. I’ve felt it hard to fit in the real world for all of my life and WoW gives me some acceptance and sense of community that doesn’t exist in this cold world I live. Anyone else the same? I know some people would consider this a problem but for me it is a light in the dark sometimes
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Same here and I am fine with that.
Escaping the reality is only bad when reality isn’t crazier than Nzoth visions
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It’s called escapism and you’re not alone 
People often use fantasy, MMOs/RPGs, imagination to escape from reality for a little bit. It’s completely normal.
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Yeah now with this pandemic I do use it to tune out most of the time considering I’m in a house with 4 women.
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I was literally thinking about making a post like this
My life right now is ok but the next few years are going to be tough and I’m terrified. I need a distraction or else anxiety will make me go mad.
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I use wow when i want to quit spending time infront of my pc…
The need to escape from your problems is understandable. WoW is just a medium for that. Many people distract themselves from their problems in many different ways, be it friends, work, hobbies or other activities.
Even though sometimes distracting yourself is fine you have to remember that whatever your problems are they won’t disappear after a game session. You need to learn to solve RL issues (it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone though).
Running away from your problems is a race you’ll never win.
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I’m disabled to the point I can’t live independently and WoW is probably the only solid escapism I have, running around and saving the world. At least I’m useful somewhere. /emo
It also served me prior to this disability, as a teenager, to have actual friendships that lasted many years before they had to grow up and have adult lives, whilst I got stuck at 22. (26 now)
WoW is love, WoW is life. RL worst game ever.
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You can escape your real life problems with WoW and possibly even with drugs and alcohol. But when you stop playing or using your problems will return indefinitely if you keep this up, and will never be solved until you actually face your problems.
I am speaking of experience here, I spent 7 years doing absolutely nothing other than playing computer games, most of which was just WoW because it does not have an end- it can be played forever. Hour after hour, day after day I did exactly the same repetitive behavior. I did not have any friends, I did not go to parties, I did rarely even met with my family. During all that time I tried to suppress the fact that a mental illness called Schizophrenia was maturing in me, which without medication was extremely difficult for me, as well as most people with that diagnose. It continued until a day when I couldn’t take it anymore, I had then reached rock bottom and “walked into a wall” so to figuratively speaking. I spent a month in a mental hospital, was prescribed Aripiprazole (an anti-psychotic medicine) and today my life is much more livable and stable.
It’s not only damaging for your self, but it’s also selfish behavior because it does not affect just you, it also affects your loved ones and those who cares, they see you are in pain but can not do much to help unless you ask for it.
I urge to all people if you are doing this or considering it: Don’t try to do it, you will lose too much of your life if you try and escape your problems instead of facing them. I know the difficult part may be to ask for help, you feel as if you want to fix it yourself- but it won’t happen. There is professional help if you decide to open up, life is too short to be thrown away.
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I used to, back in college, I think it saved my sanity throughout med school, wasn’t much of a social person irl.
I’m still not but it’s better now. My kids make sure I can never escape… anywhere 
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Nothing much wrong with escapism tbh, some people use books, some use films and some use games 
If you find time in WoW relaxing then why is that a bad thing?
Helps me forget my boring life for a few hours lol
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I do all of them! Not at the same time, though 
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@Bastila that’s one hell of a story, and I’m glad you sought professional help.
Myself , I play just to relax, I don’t push myself ingame as far as I can - its difficult with my wife’s health problems. We are just waiting on appointment for her colonoscopy and she’s almost certainly needing a kidney removed. Quite frankly if she survives (big IF due to her size) then my time on here will be obviously significantly reduced
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Well I’ll admit to reading a lot too but not really a film person lol
Give me a mug of hot chocolate and good book and I’m gone for hours /bliss
WoW needs coffee though 
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This game is a lovely mean of escapism, at least if you play with a nice guild or with friends you can trust.
PUGs will work a little worse if you are not ‘Pro’ enough… and the Forum will be hell if you are keen on expressing personal opinions someone else may not agree with.
But if you play safe (in both environments) then sure, it can be nice and chill. ^^
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Sad to hear that your wife isn’t well, must be tough times for you both. I really wish you all the wellbeing possible.
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I honestly don’t think I would be here if World of Warcraft never came into my life when it did.
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Yes and to quote Homer Simpson: To Daddy, the real World gets fainter and fainter every day…
Well not that serious , but WoW (and other mediums) are nice to escape reality
To be honest Reality is a bit overrated
Feel you brother! Same here!
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Oh yeah bud, I use wow to escape all the time.
My life would be boring as hell, without something like wow… 60 hours on the night shift, eat, sleep and repeat without the enjoyment of doing something in my downtime.
Especially at the moment that I am saving, WoW is my sainty orb.
Appreciate the small things in life.