No Triggering Event

[Erin]

Hello!
So, a lot of the articles I've read on how to cope with/cure MDD mention that knowing what caused your MDD and coming to terms with it is imperative to gaining control over your daydreams.

Except, according to stories I've been told by my parents, I've been doing this ever since I was around three years old. They told me stories about me spinning like a top endlessly, for hours on end, while watching a movie or listening to music. My methods evolved, I pace now rather than spin around myself, but it seems like I've been doing this literally as long as I can remember.

So, basically, whatever inciting event caused this to start is either so far back I could never possibly remember it or there is no inciting event and I'very just always had this compulsion/addiction.

So, what am I supposed to do from here?

[Dimmer]

Researchers think its a trait you're born with, I believe what they mean by 'knowing the cause' is what made it spin out of control and become maladaptive rather than just a bit excessive.  Like, you've always 'done it' but when did you start making it the priority in your life over friends, family, school or whatever it is that makes it mal for you. Boredom? Isolation? Anxiety? Depression? etc. You still need to address the addictive/compulsive side of it, but alleviating the [boredom, anxiety etc] will help and is a good first step to understanding how to approach the rest of it.