Can any maladaptive daydreamers help or empathise or just talk to me?

[fuckinghellapeacock]

I have been a maladaptive daydreamer since I was a toddler. I have it under control and find it therapeutic and helpful, very soothing, helps me get to sleep. I have no intention of stopping and don't want to, that's not what this is about.

Amongst the many things the fucking corona virus has ruined, is my best story to get to sleep to! It can't work with social distancing etc. It is also incredibly ludicrous so why can't I just carry on as always - why is the fucking corona virus interfering? I find it much harder to get to sleep.

I am hoping to find someone else who has experienced similar so I feel less mad. Thanks for reading

I am now a bit worried 😀

My stories are usually a bit violent! Everyone elses so far sound lovely and calming

I'm so glad I could help with working around things!

If it's a wedding, I know Poland allows up to 150 guests and they have some truly stunning locations for one.

"Anyone else have a selection of fantasy situations they replay in their mind? You know a bit like selecting a book from a shelf?"

That describes it so well! And which 'book' I choose depends on my mood.

OMG I do this too, didn't realise others did it for sleep too. I have no idea how people cope without maladaptive daydreaming.
Do your sleep aid maladaptive daydreams change OP? I have to admit that mine do according to who I fancy most. I also have lots of odd ones, slightly worrying ones maybe, where I fall asleep daydreaming I'm in hospital and someone really cares...

I know that I probably shouldn't be giving tips, but screw it, I don't think MD is a bad life. If setting is the issue, Google maps street view is a fantastic resource. You can find a restaurant that does 360 view, find their menu, chuck on some ambient restraunt noise from youtube, and just sort of have an imagenery lunch that way. Head quarantine basically

The first story I remember was me and Fred from Scooby Doo had a van and we used to drive round and have adventures and meet up with Chewbacca and Lando from Starwars and go on their spaceship. I held Fred's hand and he would let me sit in the front seat. I remember what he smelt like and how his top felt on my cheek when I fell asleep being carried in at night.

It makes me really happy that I had Fred and Chewie and Lando to look after me when my Dad was such a dick.

Hans solo was one of my first dreams

I had such a lovely dream about him when i was about 12 that i kept doing it 😀

@RufustheRowlingReindeerI have violent ones regarding killing people who wrong my children, like a lunatic Sarah Connor! but not for sleeping. They are driving and listening to funk music. Sorry, not sorry.

Well I never knew it had a name! I love the description of selecting a book off a shelf, that's exactly it.
I'm sorry yours isn't working for you at the moment and I hope you find yourself back there soon.

😀

@RufustheRowlingReindeer don’t worry, you’re not alone, sometimes I’m a deadly glamorous assassin, I use that if I feel stressed in a busy tube/train/city street. Gives me a feeling of power.

I also have one where I save someone’s life in a busy place, if I get unnerved by noisy traffic/sirens. About being in control.

@RufustheRowlingReindeer I was actually angry when they cast Donald Glover as Lando in the new film - "There is only 1 Lando!!"

And Chewie used to carry me on his back and I clung on like the idiot 4 year old monkey I was

I can't listen to music when I drive! I'm afraid that it will take me away and I will crash my car.

When I was 13 I had one that I lived with Nelson Mandela and he saw me as his honorary child. What an ego I had haha

Maladaptive Daydreamers of the World Unite.
We know things no one else does. And we are never bored.

Thats a relief fanthorpe

Mine are quite often around tv shows Like fuckings earlier ones

@fuckinghellapeacock

When I was 13 I had one that I lived with Nelson Mandela and he saw me as his honorary child. What an ego I had haha

You gotta aim high 😀

Ah I think that’s maybe about needing to feel compassion from a beloved person fuckinghell, rather about being a glory hunter.

One of my (many) daydreams is about a fictional boarding school (kind of my own version of Malory Towers). Corona fucked that one right up. I tried to keep it going in an alternate non-Covid reality, but I just couldn't do it somehow, despite the fact it's a total fantasy .

@TheySeeHerRowling is absurd isn't it? I can't imagine this entirely ludicrous fantasy series of events because of this real thing.... makes no sense

@Fanthorpe that's v kind. Yes, probably. I always wanted to be loved.

I have found my people, but I am so sorry for all of you who have had to use your daydreams to get away from horrible stuff in real life. Our brains really are amazing at helping us cope.

Maybe it's a bit sad but mine now pretty much all involve my mum seeing me as a successful person in some way.

Oh OP I hope you get it sorted. I get it. You're not weird (well maybe you are but we are all too). I second what someone else said, if it's a wedding thing can you 'be' at somewhere in the world that allows weddings? Maybe you're at an exotic destination wedding for a while!

I've always done this. Chaotic, scary childhood and possible (not diagnosed, but suspected ASD) here. I've always shut my mind off when I need to. I find I need music these days to slip into it, and I can't sit around. I have to be walking, pacing.

I used to have one for sleeping too though. It's tailed off in recent years, I expect because for the first time ever I am secure and settled with my own family/home etc.

I've found my inspiration for daydreams is lacking, my favourite time to daydream would be while exercising to take my mind off it. It used to be effortless but it's not anymore.

I normally read about two novels a week. Since Covid I’ve only read a very few old favourites from years ago and nothing else. I can’t do crosswords as quickly. It’s messed things up enormously.
I’m using music more to ‘get away’, but have to avoid anything too meaningful or I just cry.