Hello, I'm new and looking for advice

[Mark]

I'm Mark, I'm 23, and live in the UK. I was linked to this site through an article on MD.

I have been stuck in daydreams for as long as I remember. As soon as I was old enough to draw and write I have kept records of them, and my daydream worlds are numerous and very detailed. I didn't realise it might be unusual or a problem until I tried to stop, and didn't last five minutes. They're so real. I don't know what to do.

My question is, how do I seek professional help and advice? Can I just go to my GP? I'm worried they won't believe me. I also can't travel anywhere or go to a mental health professional without my parents finding out.

I just want to know if there's anyone else out there, really. And how everyone else deals with it. Thank you.

[Jessica Ballantyne]

I kick myself. I never sought professional help and advice. I worshipped my daydreams as a young person. Now I think MD has turned my life upside down. I could've had a much better life and been in a better situation, if I had not been f'ing dreaming. In fact, it hurled me into a bumpy whirl wind of a path—which I did not want. It's so amazing what life throws at you when you're not thinking smart, nor paying your cards right. It's just unforgiving. I seriously, seriously wished I had spoken to a psychiatrist, when it first began at age 12. 

Since I haven't, my school grades dropped, I just made it into an art college, didn't get good marks their either. Jumped into the wrong profession, which I surprisingly stuck with. Went into a huge rutty loop over a decade after graduating, fighting to make a profession out of my bachelors degree. Wasn't very successful and didn't put another thought into switching careers. Now I'm employed and uncertain where I'm heading in terms of a profession. Frankly, I should stick to being a full-time artist. 

[Jessica Ballantyne]

I was stupid to think anything about my MD will materialize. I wanted things, but I didn't know HOW to make them happen. I was so entitled and full of stuff. I didn't realize that ALL I needed to do was open my Gob. 

[Mace Winter]

The therapy world still doesn’t seem to understand this disorder very well - or at least they haven’t gotten up to speed. That said, MDD is associated with Dissociative Disorder. As such, therapists may approach your condition by focusing on Dissociation in therapy. That’s not a bad place to get started.

Good luck.

[Darren]

Hi Mark, I think we are all here looking for help to advice.  Professional help would also be very desirable too.  However I think we are all too early for people and professioals to regard us.

this is my first post.  I have been in MD since primary school.  A teacher once asked me and a class mate to "be good and read a book"  I stared at the pages and lost myself in my world.  The teacher commended us for it lol.  I have in more recent life tried to work on the now and next method.  tring to be mindful and in the moment and also focusing one the next task.  Mark, it doesn't always work but i hope it gets better....  You are not alone M`rk and since you posted your comment, I haven't felt alone...

[Source]

Keep in mind that you might not be suffering from excessive daydreaming in and of itself, but rather from something else that pushes you to daydream as a defense mechanism. Mental health issues can be extremely misleading and complicated.

[Jessica Ballantyne]

It's hard to hide from your parents that you are seeing a health professional, as it costs money. I would just spill it out and let them know. 

[Jessica Ballantyne]

Yeah, I pretty well daydreamed all my life. Made many people mad at me. I never got help either. I suggest a pscychiatrist or psycho analysts, or a psychologist. My mom suggested the first one.