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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Does a condition called maladaptive daydreaming really exist?

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Depression Mental Health
    I have serious obsessive,compulsive daydreaming habits. Its like a drug to me and I thought that I could handle this on my own so when I was browsing I came upon many sites which suggest that I have maladaptive daydreaming.

    However I am also aware that this is not recognised by the medical circles. I've been trying real hard for the daydreaming to stop but I feel terrible as in some part of me is missing. I am also incapable of making decisions and my feelings keep fluctuating between reality and the dream world. I also find it really hard to sleep and extremely hard to wake up.

    Every time I give a test its like my head starts racing and I become super anxious and I tend to give up. I've also experienced depression after an emotional disaster. My point is that i've been trying to understand what's happening to me and why I tend to daydream so much. I've managed to keep myself occupied mostly but somehow it just happens.It would be great if I could attain some closure and do I require counselling?
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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    My understanding is the same as yours - maladaptive daydreaming is not officially recognised as a disorder - it is not on the DSM-V list for example.

    It might help if you talked with your GP about this. S/he will be able to draw up a Mental Health Care Plan with you. A MHCP will give you a number of Medicare-subsidised sessions with a mental health professional.

    Based on what you have written a clinical psychologist who has experience of helping clients who live with clinical depression or (maybe) OCD might be able to work with you in a productive way.

    All the best.

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