Real condition or not.

[Michael Wyatt]

I do have the symptoms of MDD, but I must admit that I think MDD is a symptom of other mental illnesses like Anxeity, Schziphrenia, ADHD, and possibly aspergers. I think in my case it is anxiety because most of my MDD's are negative thoughts that overcome my mind and my body is overwhelmed and acts out these thoughts. When I was younger I would get caught talking to myself, so as a cure I would only talk to my self when I was walking through the neighborhood thinking no one would notice. Now as a result at the age of 25 when Im walking in my workplace im usually talking to myself. It is a habit that stayed with me cause I created it. I must explain though when I MDD it is about antagonizing figures in my life; enemies in the workplace, relatives I dont like, and people I meet through different situations and have conflict with. Since I usually avoid this conflict or choose the passive route I MDD about me taking other routes and standing up to these figures.

                  Also, along with anxiety I think I may suffer from either aspergers or some form of autism. I researched the symptoms and even took an online exam in which I scored in the rage of high autistic traits. Even taking into account my childhood and early adult years of people telling me about my "weird" mannerisms and lack of eye contact it makes sense. Yet, another trait that sticks out from a Aspergers stand point is my lack of social cues. I usually ramble on for hours about the same topic and dont understand when people dont like me or dont want to talk to me. It usually takes someone to be an asshole to me to understand they dont like me. In some cases other people figure out that I dont see these things which cause them to manipulate and use me. I have been in the US military now for 5 years and have 0 people I can called friends. Everyone I have met in the military has used me or attempted to after talking to me for a few minutes.

                               In conclusion, from my experiences and research online I think MDD is a symptom withing another mentall illness and not a stand alone illness in itself.  I know others will have different opinions on this subject but this is mine formed from experience and research.

[Rashomon Effect]

I agree that what folks call MDD is a symptom of something else. When people come on here they are describing totally different experiences and behaviors, yet, they try to fit all the different experiences under the label MDD.

The fact is that all the people calling themselves MDD don't have the same condition. I also believe that there are a lot of different things that can lead to maladaptive daydreaming.

For a lot of people it is trauma and for a lot of people it is just poor coping skills when it comes to everyday life.

There are a lot of reasons and causes. When people say MDD they are talking about their personal definition of what they think MDD is.

There aren't any real symptoms or identifiable parameters for MDD currently. That is why I was glad to see the latest survey being done.

[Terrell]

Your theory is an interesting one, and could prove to be valid. However, if MD is indeed a symptom of some other disorder, how would one find out? It seems that MD has not been classified (yet), so how could a person even be tested for something that the medical world doesn't even consider a legitimate disorder? I'm just being rhetorical, as I realize none of us here know the answer. I also am hoping that, if it actually IS a symptom of something else, that the true illness/disorder is not something more serious. I have a fear of losing my mental faculties as I grow older. I hope that never happens, but I admit it I do worry about having some form of dementia later in life.

[Rachel]

But I don't have many symptoms of schizophrenia, ADHD, or anxiety, or aspergers. And trust me, I've looked into the symptoms of all of those and many more. I feel everyone in the world has at least one or two of almost every mental illness out there, and it doesn't mean they have the mental illness. I'm not at all saying you're wrong about your self-diagnoses. You can't be positive without an expert. And neither you or me are experts. Anyway, studies are being done. If you're correct, I'm sure they'll figure that out in the next few years.

[Destiny Lund]

Seeing it as a symptom is an interesting perspective, if so, symptom of what?  That's what we need to find out.

[greyartist]

I'm thinking the same thing. Mainly because all of our experiences are so different, some only similar in the daydreaming. I would think if it was a stand alone disorder it would be more consistent with everyone. But I am happy to be wrong in this, it doesn't matter to me the what or why, I would just like a successful treatment.