Maladaptive Daydreaming

I have OCD and one of my biggest symptoms is Maladaptive Daydreaming. It’s really severe, I’d say I’ve spent about 80% of my life just daydreaming instead of being in reality, maybe more. And it just happens automatically, I don’t need any triggers for it to happen, it usually happens without me even realizing it which is like every second or so. So I’m doing things either on autopilot or not at all. But I don’t know if I want to get rid of it, it’s helped me brainstorm a lot of really good ideas for potential projects that could do really well, I think anyway. I feel like it’s all I have left to be recognized and appreciated. I don’t want to get rid of it I just want someone to talk to about it and share my ideas with or I’m afraid if something happens to me it’ll all disappear with me. But I feel like it’ll be too much for people to even talk about like they won’t understand especially since I’ve been doing this since childhood and it’s a lot of information to take in. Also they might not just care and it’ll all be for nothing, so idk…

Young adults with OCD

ctc1999

Date posted: Yesterday

You are not alone with this!! I have been maladaptive daydreaming essentially as long as I could remember! A lot of it stemmed from trauma and I would go into my head to basically escape and disconnect from my outer world. I still do it as an adult and it can definitely affect certain areas in life! I don't really know anyone in my life that really has that so it's good to come across a post to remind me that I am not alone! 🫶

Elysa

Date posted: Yesterday

@ctc1999 I hope you’re doing better! It’s actually really comforting knowing that other people have gone through this exact same thing I’ve dealt with my whole life without knowing what it was.

TheatreNerd100

Date posted: Yesterday

I have been maladaptive daydreaming since I was ten. (I had difficulty fitting in after moving to a new school, and I began using it as a coping mechanism). I have tried to go cold turkey and stop maladaptive permanently on many occasions, but haven’t been successful long-term. (One of the only things that has helped me stop maladaptive daydreaming is going to the Catholic sacrament of Confession). Know that you are not alone.

Elysa

Date posted: Yesterday

@TheatreNerd100 Honestly I think that’s where it all started for me too when I switched schools back in elementary, I didn’t know anyone and was anxious so I started daydreaming as a way to cope especially cause I was used to being quite popular at my old school. It’s quite impossible for me to go cold turkey on maladaptive daydreaming but going to Bible Study and getting more into the Word has helped me!

TheatreNerd100

Date posted: Yesterday

@Elysa It’s awesome that you’re going on a Bible Study! Yeah, I haven’t permanently stopped maladaptive daydreaming (currently I’m doing alright, but I went to the sacrament of Confession last Saturday). One day, I’d like to have permanently stopped maladaptive daydreaming.

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

I really empathize with you, You’ll physically be in a place but your not really there… Often times whatever is going on around you is boring, it’s a lot more exciting to just live in your head where everything is possible.

Elysa

Date posted: Yesterday

@Anonymous Honestly tho, there are a lot of conversations I’ve had that’d just be so boring and not stimulating I’d just start daydreaming lol

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

@Elysa I totally get you, my dad is a prime example. He just goes on and on about but whatever is going on at his work, I just go on a little adventure when he starts rambling.

Elysa

Date posted: Yesterday

@Anonymous Lol, I deal with the exact same thing except with my mom!

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

Could I ask why maladaptive daydreaming is part of OCD? I have ADHD and I thought it was because of my ADHD

ctc1999

Date posted: 9h

Tbh, I think it can be due to a multitude of things! For me, my therapists have always connected my maladaptive daydreaming to childhood trauma and also being neurodivergent! However, during OCD flare-ups and episodes, my maladaptive daydreaming increases in frequency as well so maybe that's why?? I can't speak for the OP but it could be a possibility?

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