Are their different forms of mal adaptive day dreaming?

though i am productive by volunteering regularly , cleaning my clothes , eating when i should, destressing, i keep blocking out reality by, living inside my head, music , internet escapism, the gaming world and dvd movies. i have other hobbies outside of digital escapism, but when im not doing these, if im all alone, i resort to digital escapism. Is this a form of mal adaptive day dreaming? is this harmful at all all? what do you think? send links to articles about other forms of maladaptive day dreaming if thats the case. thanks everyone!!!

 

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Parents
  • I discovered the concept of maladaptive daydreaming fairly recently, and as I understand it it's more like staring into space without needing a distraction (other than what's going on in your head). I do this so often it has caused problems all through my life, particularly when I was in school. What you're describing seems like escapism and distraction from your worries, which can be okay if kept under control and to a minimum, but what you don't want is to avoid doing important tasks. Too much avoidance is an issue, though don't be too hard on yourself - life is tough. 

  • I spend a lot of time in my head daydreaming because it's better than the real world.

  • I think it's safer, more predictable, more within our control. But better...? I don't know. The real world can be overwhelmingly beautiful too. I find walks in nature very stimulating, also good cinema, drama, music and other art forms, and of course a good relationship or physical pleasures, including food. We just don't have so much control over these things - it might rain heavily so the walk is off, we may not enjoy the film after all, the relationship doesn't work out etc. And having said this, I know I still fall into the trap of daydreaming large chunks of the day away. It's not wasted time either, I often dream up songs for my band or short stories and other things, which makes me wonder if my daydreaming is part of being a creative person.

    Where does your daydreaming take you?

  • Yes, you are right. I should say that it's not better than the real world, rather that it's preferable to the real world in many cases. But that's only because so much of the real world is distressing and uncontrollable.

    I would like to have more of the beautiful experiences and enjoyable feelings and sensations that the real world can offer, but it seems that I only get less of them as time goes on.

Reply
  • Yes, you are right. I should say that it's not better than the real world, rather that it's preferable to the real world in many cases. But that's only because so much of the real world is distressing and uncontrollable.

    I would like to have more of the beautiful experiences and enjoyable feelings and sensations that the real world can offer, but it seems that I only get less of them as time goes on.

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