escapist

The term describes the act of seeking distraction from the unpleasant or mundane aspects of real life. It is most frequently used in the context of art, entertainment, and psychology. While it can be used neutrally or even positively to describe a relaxing hobby, it often carries a slightly critical undertone when it implies that someone is avoiding necessary responsibilities or ignoring a serious problem.

When used as an adjective, it typically modifies types of media (e.g., escapist fiction, escapist cinema) or tendencies (e.g., an escapist fantasy). When used as a noun, it refers to the person performing the action. Unlike "dreamer," which suggests a hopeful or imaginative nature, "escapist" specifically implies a desire to flee from a negative reality.

In modern usage, "healthy escapism" is a common collocation used to justify the use of games or books as a way to recharge mentally without losing touch with reality. Conversely, calling someone an "escapist" in a clinical or argumentative sense suggests a lack of courage or a failure to cope with life's challenges.