You've got a very good point I tend to create characters in my head while taking care of my mom all day or working at the pet shelter. But it's a coping mechanism and destresser. People do the same for Warhammer, DND, or any number of other hobbies. I'm also absolutely bonkers about crochet, I even crochet while playing coh. But is it sad? No more so than any other hobby fan.
But I think we do need to take a step back and see the warts otherwise they just get more abrasive.