I read that daydreaming causes depression?

[Skylar Grey]

In health class I read a list of things that hinders 
Depression and on the list was daydreaming.
It also said daydreaming is a defense mechanism 
But can be harmful when someone refuses to
Accept reality and spends an enormous amount
Of time in their imaginary world. Well what do you
Think of the subject? Do you think daydreaming
Can cause depression? And is ONLY harmful
When people refuse to accept reality? This is my very
First forum I've started so I hope I'm
Doing it right.. Also I have a huge problem with 
MD. today I kept zoning my family out just daydreaming..
And I don't wanna stop daydreaming.
It makes me feel good inside and I just don't know anymore
-confused 14 year old

[Danielle]

I believe daydreaming can cause depression. But I don't think it's only harmful when you refuse to accept reality. I get depressed when I come back to reality. I start to think that what [dream] I'm expriencing now isn't real nor will it ever be real no matter how happy it makes me. Then I get anxious and lonely and I want to just climb back into that world and stay forever. But right now, I'm only able to take brief visits.

My family doesn't believe in taking pills to fix your emotional problems [and neither do I, only as a last resort] so if I told my mother that I suffer from MD, anxiety, and depression every now and then she would probably laugh at me for wanting to take anti-depressants or Prozac or something. So, to take care of my MD without medication I choose to look on the bright side.

I use my dream world as an escape. I let myself know that it'll always be there when I need it. I don't want to stop dreaming either because it provides fantasies that I wouldn't be able to have in the real world. I don't have the money nor the time or people to make these fantasies real. I just wallow in this happy world I created [I call it DaniLand] and enjoy as much time as I allow myself. But that's the thing. To be happy there [DaniLand] and happy here [the real world], I have to set limits.

To keep yourself from being unhappy with the real world, set limits. 

[Ris Smith]

First time on here... first forum answered, so hgere goes...

 

i don't think that daydreaming is a cause for depression, but i do believe it can easily lead to it. i mean think about it, ever had an amazing dream, and woke up and realised its not real? sucks. a daydream can be even worse because its something you've purposely created to be an escapse from reality, adn 99% of the time its a great deal better than what you're going through. i think you just need to be able to anchor your dreamboat to reality so that you don't drift so far that you leave the real world behind. snap out of it every now and then and check yourself, that way there are able to keep a good grasp on both reality and your dreams.

 

as for you individually, i don't think that theres anything wrong with it. but like i said before, you need to keep in check with reality, snap out every now and then. going into a serious daydream while others are around you, like at school, home or with friends will cause problems with your social life and school work.  to keep my attention in class i used to listen, and entertain my mind with doodling on the pages, that way at least i was listening to the class (i also took extensive notes to keep me awake). with friends i would blatently tell them "i'm bored, lets switch it up" keeping your mind entertained will keep you from daydreaming.

 

hope i helped.  x