Trapped in my head... Help?

[kaira deo]

Hey! I am a maladaptive daydreamer too... And just googled and found out that I m actually severely affected by it. And I started daydreaming 4 years ago, before that I was pretty good in studies and all but now it got so bad with me that I couldn't help myself and start daydreaming even when I know I have test next day for which I m not at all prepared. I tried explaining it to my elder brother but he didn't took it seriously, just said its normal. And I know my parents reaction won't be any different. I just failed in my exams because of it. I feel so helpless and disappointed with myself and I am nowadays fighting the urge to hurt my self somehow like I want to punish myself for wasting all the time and lying to my parents that I m studying in my room while actually spending whole day dreaming about my ideal self living fantastic, adventurous life and having fun with friends.
Currently I don't have any social life, I don't go out in reality. You see my parents are very strict and I rarely get permission to go out:-( also being an introvert doesn't help.
I don't know what to do... I can't concentrate on my studies, forget friends I don't spend enough time with my family.
Too busy in daydreaming,
I have forgot how it feels like to actually get bored.
I m lost in my head.

[Sidefire]

Hello! 

I can relate; I've been daydreaming like this since I was around 5 or 6 (I'm 19 years old now). I don't have much of a social life since I'm too scared to join reality and college is getting a little hard since all I do is daydream, but the key to getting a grip on things is to find balance. I don't believe maladaptive daydreaming is bad, in fact I'd argue that it's a good thing. It's a very productive coping mechanism and creative outlet for channeling new and limitless ideas, and I've actually managed to prevent myself from cutting by forcing myself back into a daydream and channeling my emotions through the characters there. 

The first step to finding control and balance is realizing that there is/could potentially be a problem. I've been aware for a long time that daydreaming is severely affecting school and my relationship with others, so I was always nervous about college. I've decided though, as long as I do my homework, pass my classes, attend work, and at least try leaving my comfort zone and socialize every once in a while, then I can daydream the rest of my time away, and all the time in between. To be honest I'm still struggling a little, but the fact that I passed my first semester of college this year with all B's reminds me that I don't have to stop daydreaming completely. 

[kaira deo]

I did the same thing! When I was feeling too depressed and hopeless, I started daydreaming to avoid all the negative feelings and idea of hurting myself, and found comfort in my fantasies. But then, isn't that the main problem of maladaptive daydreaming? Not wanting to face reality and seeking comfort in something which doesn't even exist.