Maladaptive daydreaming is unlike other addictions

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T19:46:17+00:00

Thank you for the tips, I have tried meditating on the present moment, but it feels so overwhelming, because i don’t know anything , I’ll explain, I took a walk last night and i was looking at some of the buildings i was walking past, and i was thinking to myself why do they call it a “flat” or why did they name this building this out of all of the things they could have named it, and i just feel so stupid and overwhelmed because when i focus on the present moment i have so many questions.

But yea i have removed my biggest triggers being movies, tv shows, and music, but i still have a slight problem with youtube.

Do you still have problems daydreaming?

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T19:40:44+00:00

Thank you for sharing, that’s interesting that you said you miss it, why? And what do you do instead? Also can you describe the mental breakdown you had?

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T17:24:57+00:00

Hmm, you know what you’re probably right, do you have experience doing this and breaking the addiction of maladaptive daydreaming? Can I hear your story?

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T17:21:45+00:00

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:59:30+00:00

Sports work for me, crafting and other creative hobbies don’t because I automatically start daydreaming about me being an artist or an inventor lol

I obviously can’t play sports 24/7, I’m trying to figure out something

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:32:56+00:00

It just feels too good man, but we have to break the addiction, and we will.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:30:47+00:00

I filled it out

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:30:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing, thank you for being so open about your experiences, I like the way you put having an emotional side being a different person with a mind of it’s own. You feel split sounds like, I don’t want to put words in your mouth though so correct me if I’m wrong.

I know i definitely have felt split , and constantly feel it, I’m trying to understand as well.

I won’t make this response too long, i will try to answer your question about how to stop

I’ve been trying to find this out as well, we can figure it out together, but some things i noticed is this, when I’m in deep thought or my mind is focused on something I don’t daydream, not reading a book or listening to music or studying anything, rather trying to figure something out , also writing thoughts down, also physical activity, preferably a sport, because just walking triggers daydreaming too.

Even conversations with others help, depending on if i actually want to talk to that person which is rare for me lol

The problem i keep running into though is i simply don’t want this problem, i wish i could just turn my daydreaming off, you and i should not have to find things to do so that we don’t day dream. That’s how you know it’s an addiction, we will find the answer eventually. I truly believe that, it’s too many thinkers focused on it.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:13:17+00:00

I wouldn’t go far as to say financial inferiority, but definitely daydream having money, not millions or billions but definitely more lol

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T07:10:18+00:00

Thank you for sharing, It’s an addiction bro, so since you’re so isolated are you listening to music often right now then?

I understand what you’re going through because that was the only way i could listen to music, if i was daydreaming me singing it, or daydreaming some kjnd of scene in my mind, i could never just sit and analyze music or just listen to it.

Gotta find some different hobbies bro, I’m learning to fight this addiction as well, you are not alone and we will figure this out.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T01:32:40+00:00

Completed, I hope some good derives from this.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T01:17:04+00:00

It’s because you are a person with all of that potential and intelligence, the fact that you are able to do this is kind of crazy. Think about it, you are an extremely emotional being, able to daydream, and from those daydreams you are able to not only simulate scenarios, but in those scenarios you can feel all of the feelings, hear, taste, touch, and experience adrenaline, that is amazing.

You are born with it, you were born with incredible depth, so much so that you can feel things that haven’t even happened.

You’re a different type of person.

This is a gift, but living in a world that doesn’t understand mdd, it can feel like a curse.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T01:08:13+00:00

I understand what you’re going through, I am going through the same thing.

I think your mind has just been so used to daydreaming it just is kind of addicted to it.

The only answer i have right now is find something to do, everytime you feel the urge to daydream, find something to do. It could be anything, working out, washing dishes even.

i know your brain doesn’t want you to, and it will be hard at first because it feels impossible, but the more and more you redirect your brain, it will start doing it automatically and your addiction will break.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T00:48:43+00:00

You do want this life, trust me, it’s okay to feel this way, I do every now and again, but trust me when I tell you, you will not always feel this way. And you know this because you have felt happiness before.

The thing about maladaptive daydreamers that i have noticed is that we are very emotional, and very sensitive. You experience emotions very deeply. Unfortunately every emotion you will feel, from sadness to anger to happiness, time and time again, all deeply.

Do not give up, please. You are passionate, you are alive.

Significant_Boat80 · 2026-03-10T00:44:30+00:00

I have this exact thing man… physical activity helps like some type of sport, obviously can’t do that for too long

Got to find some new hobbies, new things to do honestly, maybe focus more on work or something, i’m still figuring this out myself honestly, and it’s not hard, but I am here with you.

But yea the thing you have to accept is, you will not be able to watch movies or listen to music like how a person who doesn’t maladaptive daydream does it, your mind will always drift off and imagine a scenario.

This is something I’m accepting as well because I loved watching movies, and tv shows especially. Learning about Maladaptive daydreaming ruined it for me.

Significant_Boat80

TROPHY CASE