Does Maladaptive Daydreaming effect memory

[Jacob]

Hello i have only recently learned about Maladaptive Daydreaming , as long as i can remember i have done it and its been causing me trouble in my life as early as my teens when people could see me through my curtains because of backing light and i did not know . For years i thought i was just schizophrenic and scared to tell any one. But thats back ground probably not needed for my question except to express that i am incredibly un knowledgeable about this . 

So here is my question , i seem to have horrible memory compared to other people when it comes to dates , schedules names ect.  i mean im nearly 30 and still struggle to know the month in order and now that im trying to go back to school i have to check my schedule 2 or 3 times while headed to a class because i am scared i will be walking in to Mondays class on Friday or something similar . but i am able to remember  my "day dreams" in amazing detail or even stories that i love that influence my " day dreams"  in detail that makes people think i am some super fan when in actuality i couldn't tell you who wrote it or if its a movie who the actors are 

is this something other people who Maladaptive daydream experience and what are some tips to deal with this as it has caused me to just give up on many things even if im doing good  because i become so unsure  or embersed  by the 4th time i showed up on my day off or the wrong class or missed a day with out even knowing so when i do show up people are looking at me like no that was last week or mad that i left the boss hanging sort of thing. and i know that sounds like an excuse to just not show up but its not i just truly forget and even with a schedule in front of me now days i am so unsure if i am correct or not that i stress about it and have to double check every little thing i do to exhaustion . i feel like this went of the rails a bit but trying to figure out how to engage with the community .

[Jacob]

@ valeria Franco thank you for your input i cant express how much this site has made me feel  supported with all this.

[Valeria Franco]

I notice many people being confused about memory.

If we talk about memory in a proper sense, we are talking about remembering things that we have seen, read, listened and about being able to recall them when asked.

Remembering dates or schedules is actually something different. It's more about concentration, and being focused on what we are doing.

MD take us away from reality, so it's easy not to be focused on our weekly plans.

It's a good thing to stay more focused, but MD isn't the only reason why we mess up with our schedule. There's nothing wrong to write everything down and double-check everything, in fact, it's quite the opposite.

There are plenty of apps, and tricks to help us. My messages or mail recognize dates and ask me if I want to save on my calendar. Siri, Alexa or any voice assistant you want to use can set reminders or agenda, we just have to talk.

Using these things keep our mind free for other stuff. Possibly not daydreaming! :-)

[oneira]

I do have a big problem with remembering conversations or a plot of a movie I've seen recently - but that's because I usually start daydreaming in the middle of something and my focus is split. I find it really hard to concentrate on simple tasks as well. However, your issues concerning numbers, months or schedules seem to be something different entirely, maybe dyslexia or ADHD? I think you should talk to someone qualified to give an accurate diagnosis.

[Jacob]

Thank you guys for the input. I appreciate it.

[Elaine Steele]

I don’t think I have memory problems, but I do have problems with paying attention to things I need to remember, because I’m half daydreaming while trying to pay attention. I lose things because I’m only half paying attention when I put them somewhere. I miss appointments because I’m only half paying attention when I make them, or because even though I remember the appointment, I’m so wrapped up in a daydream that I lose track of time. So for me, it’s more of an attention issue than a memory issue. It’s like Xyz describes.

[Xyz]

The memory problem that i know comes with maladaptive daydreaming is that you are partially daydreaming and partially working so you dont accurately or completely remember what you did or what happened cuz you were in your head nd not in the present..... happens to me.

[alona]

hi

unfortunately, there is just no way to tell if your memory problems are caused by MDD. even with ongoing research, there isn't a lot known about MDD, so it is hard to establish a link. but memory itself works best with cognitive focus and repetition, i. e. information that is repeated often is more likely to stick around in your mind. it also appears as though your bad memory has given you some anxiety. and your ability to be able to recall your daydreams in detail may simply be due to the the fact that you think of them/daydream often. You can try some memory improvement games and exercises to help you out. personally speaking, while i don't have a great memory either (especially for names and faces), it is nothing compared to what you describe, and i don't think it's related to my MDD. hope this is of some help. and if you need to talk, we're all here.