Anyone else have Maladaptive Daydreaming?

[Lara Michaelis]

I always had a feeling I was 'abnormal' and 'different' but everyone thinks they are, right? So I thought nothing of my daydreaming, until I and a close friend were talking and I told her about my daydreaming for hours on end. She then told me how it wasn't something normal and should see what it was. However she didn't treat me any different. So I did some research and the results were, "Maladaptive daydreaming" I then tried to explain what it felt like to someone whom I wholeheartedly trusted. He said how he feels the same way, realising that I forgot to tell him the name of the disorder I, of course, told him. He looked confused and thought that I was talking about doing certain drugs. I asked why he would think that and he said, "You have an addiction, you always think about doing it, you do it often, you feel like you can't live without it, it comforts you, it lets you escape reality...it sounds like your a drug addict." Seeing as he was a drug addict, I'm kinda worried that MD can be so easily compared to that.

So does anyone have it? How can you "cure" it or at least deal with it better? How bad is it for you guys?

[goner]

yep, that's what this website is for!

[Roel]

I have it, and indeed everyone here has it. And yes sadly MDD can be compared easely to addiction. It's an addiction to compulsive dreaming :/ Sorry.

But don't worry too much. where as drugs can be bad for you physicly, The only issue MDD has is that it takes away your time, and maybe lets you forget the value of real life. All you need to do is keep focussing on reality, and you'll be fine. At least that's it for me. It tends to be different for everyone. Follow bee's advice and researche a bit. Also find out how your case works exactly and discuss it here. Things will be fine. "Addictive" sounds scary, but knowing is half the battle ;)

[Lara Michaelis]

Well I've just recently learned about it (Even if I had symptoms at the age of six). So I tried to do research and learn more about it. And thank you for the welcome (n-n).

[Bee]

Hey, Lara and welcome! :D

Yip, MD is why were all here  (I believe). And you'll find your story of feeling "abnormal" and searching for a "answer" is similar to many other MDers. We tend to share many interesting "quirks". 

Unfortunately, there's is no tested or proven cure for MD.  There are meds and techniques that can help a person deal with it better though. We don't know if it's physiological or neurological And it's an odd one anyway...you'll notice there's some lively debate here on whether it's even a disorder. Some are happy with their MD and wouldn't give it up for anything.

My "advice"? Read some of the research on the links page. Dr. Cynthia Schupak's is fascinating and tell us so much about ourself. Go through the threads and blogs and join in the conversation - the chat is also pretty business during European evening hours - more voices are always welcome. We're a friendly bunch. :-)