i was just guessing

i think she probably had big goals of life - money, social status, etc. you know, a lot of chinese think success is based on those things. and when a chinese goes overseas and basically starts from the beginning, any struggles and difficulties can cause 痛苦和挣扎. to most of the people they adapt to the change ok, but to other people, if they can't get what they want from life, then a fantasy world is like alcohol, or a spiritual support to them.