Oh sweet mystery of life at last I've found thee!  After all of these years, it is sooooooooo good to know that I'm not the only one and even better to know that  there's an "official" medical diagnosis. I've spent decades operating in my parallel universe.  I can't remember not operating with a dual "reality". The older I get, the less control I have over it.  I'm there more often than not and it doesn't matter whether I'm active or sitting at my desk.  Doesn't matter if I'm alone or in public or comfortable or uneasy in a social situation. I can't tell you how many times I've come out of my reverie only to find passersby staring or scowling or looking at me sympathetically because I was staring fixated into space and usually smiling while walking  - alone! I don't remember any particularly traumatic incident that might have caused this behavior but I've been operating this way since early childhood.  I do recall a lot of negative comments from my mom about my looks, etc. and repeated ribbing from my siblings. My parallel universe allows me to be the successful, shining star that I dreamed of being while I was growing up.  I now know that a lot of the criticisms were unfair, irrelevant and were more about the people who dealt them than they were about me but, it seemed so pervasive that it's taken me many years of  therapy and living just to begin to recognize that fact. In my daydreams, I was and am always able to be beautiful, successful, talented, etc. - no matter what was/is happening in reality. I found out about this site from the article on Yahoo. Thank you so much for this site.

Thank you for making me feel a little less weirdly wrong.

Many thanks for having me!!

I am stunned by this topic.  I thought everyone did this and just didn't own up to it.  I have often wondered why some people didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about.  I have called it the "Walter Mitty" syndrome for years after the movie with Danny Kaye.  Just because it seemed like the daydream is preferable to reality but, then that doesn't always account for every instance.   I have a harder time at work, especially if it is repetitive or monotonous and as a result my work performance usually suffers.  I am surprised at the number of people on this site who seem to write...I have always used this as my way of working through whatever story I wanted to write.  Thanks for this site!

Thanks for letting me join .

I all ways thought my life was just so boring that it could not hold my attention . 

I have been this way for as long as I can remember even be fore I started school I think .

I live more in day dreams then in the real world shift between persona's some times repeat the same story line over & over with little or no change .  some times I maintain 2 or 3 story's at one time . Some times I become a character  from a sifi show or movie I make my own spin off . Or a new character I add to the story some times i look like me some times I am male  when I was a kid i would be a grown up or a boy

. when I got older I was a kid . Now I see my self or most of my persona's as looking like my youngest daughter . Some time I tell my self  I should write a book about some of the stores I have placed my self in, but I go into to much detail & never really finish anything !

Hi,

I saw your article on yahoo.com and was fascinated. I personally have never heard of the condition before. I was curious so I wanted to read more and joined your site. Thanks.

Regards

Sonie

Thanks for setting up this site!  I've struggled with this condition all my life, as far back into my childhood as I can remember, and was never able to understand exactly what was "wrong" with me.  It robbed me of an academic career, has all-but-short-circuited my efforts to be a writer--and yet, in some strange way, it's kept me afloat during some very hard times in my life; guess you could say it's been a blessing and a curse, all at the same time!  Knowing now that there are others who have the same malady has given me hope that through reading you guys' stories, I might learn some things about it and maybe how to cope.  This site is definitely a Godsend, and I'm looking forward to exploring further and hopefully interacting with all of you.  Thanks again!!

Cordellia - thank you for having this site and for allowing me to join.   I haven't had a chance to really look at anything here, but I am hopeful of finding some support.  I am closer to 60 than 59.5 and have dealt with this for as long as I can remember, at least single digit age.I have only recently started to discuss this my my therapist, who thankfully did not dismiss the idea.  Just knowing that I'm not alone in this is a HUGE relief.

As an aside - the very first thing that happened to me on this site, after being approved and welcomed by you, was being contacted by one of those spammers you deleted today.  Glad I read that news first and didn't respond to Glorybaby.

Thank you for letting me join.  I read about this site in an article that I think was on Yahoo.  I was diagnosed as a kid with ADD, but that never really satisfied me.  I thought of my maladaptive daydreaming as fuel for writing, but I rarely wrote anything.  I just used the possibility of writing as an excuse for it.  I am actually so addicted to daydreams that I had to force myself to take a break from it to come here and sign up.  It feels so good to know I'm not alone.  Thank you for starting this up.  I look forward to reading the stories of others and perhaps learning some methods for self-control.

      Thanks for this site. It would be SO GREAT if more people knew about this. I've had no luck at all trying to talk to shrinks or anyone about this.

The only feedback I had, which was a little helpful, was when I was told this is a coping mechanism.

I used to call it my brain-crusher, because that's what it felt like.

Thank you, Cordellia. This only started a few months ago. I'm not sure I qualify for this website. Will you advise me, pls? While writing a screenplay I started roll playing with the main charaters during the day and now lay awake most nights actually having dual dialogue between them. I am no longer actually writing anything...I'm so consumed with the people involved. I don't share a bedroom with my husband for medical reasons so am not disturbing anyone.  I'm close to seventy and have always had a vivid imagination, but I'm now going to bed at 7p just to be with these characters looking forward to their next meeting. It also goes on during the day but mostly at night. 

Hello,I'm glad to be a part of something that actually has a name??? I always thought as a adult that it was ADD...I was really bad as a child and younger adult,I really questioned if their was a alternate realty many times. It felt so real and right..I don't  know why I was like this I think because i suffered alot of abuse as a young child, but I do know that for some reason in the last 10 years it has gone away. I feel like I have lost a gift.. my best friend...I miss therelationship, babys in my other world, and wonder if they miss me..The world just seems bleak without daydreaming, Sissy

Thanks, it's incredible to know that I'm not alone over here. :D

Just found this site minutes ago.  Surprised and amazed in finding others similar to my experience.  I may not be as affected as some but it is great to see a place for interacting with others safely.  Have no time now for more comments but want to say THANKS for your efforts.  Dealing with MD may prove beneficial to a whole range of issues that are just waiting for the right answer. 

i sure hope you are doing better with the stomach problem  you havent said what the outcome was or what the diagnosis was. i am not familiar with chatting on line or how to do it but i will have my friend show me how in a couple of days so for how have a happy  thanksgiving to you and all members of this site. if you have a tip on how to live chat please let me know. that would seem a little more human than punching keys and waiting for results. god bless all

i really appreciate finding this site as it has hit the nail on the head. i really didnt realize the were others having the same delima as i have had for about 58 years. ice breaker  my first dealings was with my dad when i told him point blank he is my dad but my father is in heaven dont mess with that!! visuns of grandeaur i guess but still go there very often. your history is facinating and your approach is refreshing. i am really seeking some wisdom. you have it and your members will learn.

Thank you Cordellia. I too just read an article about your site on yahoo! I signed up right the way... I have been struggling with day dreaming for years... I am 37 yo and I am a day dreamer since always... In my world I find the love that I just cannot find on Earth. (good friends, loving/respectful partner, financial stability, family time... I have none of that in the "real" world) Okay looking forward to hear other stories.

Thank  you

Thank you for the add, and thanks for the greeting. I found this on a yahoo article and thought "Wow, I thought I was the only one and thought I was just a little nuts" ok, I am a little nuts but maybe not for this.. I look forward to hearing other's stories.. and maybe getting some pointers on things.