maladaptive daydreaming

has anyone had experience with this and how to deal with it?
i've actually only recently realized that it's such a big part of my life.
i tried looking back to my childhood but i don't remember most of it, i mostly remember the dreams and stories i've made up in my own head. i've been battling it last year, trying to live in reality and i was doing great but i can feel myself slowly slipping back to the old habits and it's really painful. i don't want to live in my own head constantly.,

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REMsleep · 41-45, F

As a child I was a huge dreamer. I would spend loads of time in my head.
As I grew older this continued. In response to depression, sadness, hurt or whatever I would daydream even more.
As I improved my life I just had less time for it.
Why do you retreat to your fantasy. Is it an escape?
If so what are you escaping from?

palmtree · 22-25, F

@REMsleep i'm really sorry to hear that you've been through that and i'm gald that your life has improved later on. i hope you don't go back to that ever again because in reality no matter how nice and calming it is to live in your head, it's also painful when you realize none of that exists really.

i feel like my life has improved last year but i still have some unresolved issues from the past, especially in relation with my parents (dad to be exact). with men in my life in general. i'm just afraid that it will ruin my relationship and i'd be devastated

SW-User

@REMsleep Your right I suffer from depression, been fighting it pretty much my whole life and it can do terrible things to your mind and body. Medication doesn't help, doing what you are saying does. 🙂 If you let it grab a strong hold on you, it could ruin you for life. 👍

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@palmtree No habit can ruin your life unless you keep doing it. The thing about bad habits is that you have to do them over and over and over for them to negatively affect you.
Daydreaming isin't bad but its maladaptive when it becomes a habit and habits can be broken one day at a time.
Even if you retreat 20% less next month, thats a huge win and the habit will have less hold.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

@SW-User Agreed. I had depression very early in life and it followed me around for many years. I am still not sure why, but when I wallowed in depression ( I didn't understand that I was doing this) and when I daydreamed all of the time I didn't realize how little attention I paid to other things which could have helped me.
Staying as depression free as possible for me involves prayer, keeping social anxiety at bay, and mindfulness and just fighting.
I hope you continue to see the beauty in each day no matter how hard it is.

SW-User

@REMsleep Thanks, I have it pretty much under control having to deal with it all these years. You do learn to control it, but it is harder for some. 🙂

palmtree · 22-25, F

@REMsleep thank you so much <3 i'm already trying to spend less time on games, movies, music, videos etc that feed my daydreamings, if i could've done it last year, i can do it again. i just hope one day it will stop coming by...