I spent a day with MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMERS

[@AnthonyPadilla]

come back next week for *I spent a day with people w/ ENDOMETRIOSIS* UNCENSORED ON SPOTIFY ▸ open.spotify.com/show/5aOLuPenneHbhLh05fmkeu UNCENSORED ON APPLE ▸ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-spent-a-day-with/id1550213250

[@t1ckin73]

W

[@KopyErr]

Ola

[@pkmcd]

Hello Anthony

[@luvzyloo]

ww

[@lifelesstrace]

Hi

[@kenz392]

I’m a maladaptive daydreamer and people often don’t realize how debilitating it really is. Often times my daydreams are off of shows or my real life and part of my spirit gets crushed when I realize that’s not what these people are actually like. I prefer my mind over real life and most of the time I am in a daydream no matter where I am. I could be with my family or friends and it’s still there. I am unable to have fun without a daydream playing in my head.

[@flueros7454]

Right? It feels as if life is just dulled, without those daydreams..

[@J1MBOOOO216]

ikr! like i feel like i will go through my day but the only thing i’m looking forward to is daydreaming and the story of the daydream

[@Peter_Sokunbi]

I'm the same the way I cope by incorporating my real life with my dreams.

[@J1MBOOOO216]

@@OArchivesX that’s a good idea but i can’t write lol

[@B4nn4]

Ik exactly how u feel

[@tristaleigh444]

glad to see people actually talk about this and get representation instead of just being brushed away as a maladaptive day dreamer myself

[@AxxLAfriku]

I recently revealed the genders of my two girlfriends. It got a lot of hate and now has 30 times more dislikes than likes. I am really sad that people can be so mean. Sorry for using your comment to talk about my problems, dear ipo

[@sophiiqqa]

@@AxxLAfriku huh

[@MiaLucifer]

@@AxxLAfriku the fuck

[@theniceaxolotl6847]

@@AxxLAfriku if you don't mind I'm trying not to be rude but I don't understand the wording of your sentence.

[@_nyx]

@@AxxLAfriku "Reveal the gender of my girlfriends" them being your girlfriends already gives away their gender mate

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

I'm really grateful Anthony is out here educating people on what maladaptive daydreamers are, I personally didn't even know what this condition was until now. It's always good to absorb some knowledge.

[@Alternating_Accounts]

you're literally everywhere

[@LaughingStawk]

I agree, it’s cool learning about everything and being able to know that everyone is different and all the different disorders, ways of identifying, and overall kinds of ways that things impact peoples life

[@cellophaneoxygen]

took the words right off of my mouth. for a long time i thought it was just a weird case of adhd that i have.

[@disconnected9023]

looooooooooooooooooooooooooool,bro if your going to this channel FOR phycological advisement, i will quote for you" It's a proposed diagnosis of a disordered form of dissociative absorption associated with excessive fantasy that is not recognized by any major medical or psychological criteria" this channel is full of what you basically call sub-factors to actual phenomena , as psychiatrist, i can verify this channel is a channel focused around the perpetuation of PPD in it's hypochondriacal form. this , isn't a condition or disorder it's an addiction,as its a sub trait of OCD. These people have OCD, and in their OCD they convince themselves they know better than professionals, and in echo chambers start telling each other they get each other because they're the only people on the planet that will ever appreciate and acknowledge these delusional disassociated thoughts. this is what you might actually call psychological propaganda.

[@AllTheGoodNamesWereTakendamnit]

Thank you so much for these videos-Videos like this are just amazing-spreading awareness, in a way that isn't judgemental 😄 and which also makes people feel equal-to open up...(Sorry my grammar is bad)

[@jaetothemax8371]

“I called it watching tv in my head” this gave me sooo much validation, as I used to do the same thing as a young child with favorite characters and tv shows before I developed my own fantasy world and called it “playing in my head” thanks so much for this video Anthony

[@zvoid_error000]

I called it roleplaying by myself!! Or even just playing by myself because as a kid I would use objects and toys and movement to act out what I had going on in my mind

[@julessosaqtana6019]

literally, like as I started to get older I felt like I was crazy and no one else did it, but I love to see people who have experienced the same thing and that it’s not always negative

[@YllidTheLoonyDog]

@@zvoid_error000 same

[@frenchvanilla1575]

omg same. especially when they talked about how their small world started to keep expanding i felt understood.

[@mintty6864]

One of my friends said she did that in primary school, I haven't had any contact with her since then. Honestly kinda worried for her now I hope she is doing okay

[@LumaFuwari]

Learning your life long "safe" coping mechanism is actually a problem.

[@ci4494]

It can be a problem, it’s just something you have to learn to manage. I know a lot of people use journaling or writing to help with it, including myself.

[@threemashup2662]

It isn’t a problem inherently.

[@gamingmoviepro9270]

The thing that makes it a problem is if it becomes a habit

[@Plagolago64]

Fr

[@papervulture]

@@threemashup2662 If it's not a problem, it's literally just daydreaming. The word maladaptive means that, by definition, it's harmful. Learn your shit.

[@xPowderBluLolipopzx]

My jaw dropped when I saw the title of the video. I never thought I'd see someone as big as you talking about the biggest, most embarrassing, and misunderstood thing about me that up until this year was my best kept secret. This is insane, thank you so much.

[@MsCatfish4]

Same. I literally gasped a clicked right away when I saw it

[@samwichx]

Same!

[@starrysoups]

i gasped too 😭 im so happy

[@spaceyeti9522]

And here you have me, not even realising we are supposed to be embarrassed about it.. So this was interesting.

[@user-xn3rs7tu5w]

i was super taken aback myself! this man covers everything!

[@mercuriology45]

As someone with maladaptive daydreaming, it’s sad to see people in the comment section other fellow MD, saying it saved their life. Maladaptive daydreaming feels good, it helps you cope with how reality sucks, very true. Its not healthy, it has made me procrastinate so much, and it really affected a lot of aspects of my life, even though it did help with my anxiety. Md can be considered like any addiction, it feels good, you don’t think it’s affecting you, but in reality it is.

[@brithanna7552]

I agree, it's like an addiction I hate having MD but litteraly can't stop and IDK what I'd do if it all went away. Probably fall into a deep depression? who knows. I wish I never had it.

[@Somuchhatebrochill6689]

Agree. It's destroying me. I want to stop but can't. If I stop I feel empty and sad. Like really sad! I don't feel like myself. I have to daydreaming helped me during my teenage years. But now it's destroying my life.

[@Somuchhatebrochill6689]

I cannot sleep!!! At all!! It's 1:29 am

[@-S.L.]

If it helps any of you, IIRC it's considered a form of dissociation by people like Pete Walker (wrote a book on Complex PTSD and talked about chronic daydreaming being part of the Freeze-type response to stress/trauma)! So maybe resources to dealing with chronic dissociation will be helpful.

[@EvilSniper181]

I know it may sound weird, but as someone that has struggled with addiction (alcohol, weed, amphetamines, daydreaming) and other maladaptive coping mechanisms, these mechanisms actually help you survive. I've been in schema therapy for 1,5 years, and I've learned that the key to stop these mechanisms is to tackle the emotions that trigger them. So you need to find healthy ways to cope, instead of focusing on stopping these mechanisms by trying to not do them. I hope you find help and can improve your life.

[@tgrebnesor]

The fact that it took me two hours to finish this because I kept having to pause and daydream about my own responses 😂

[@steelmoon6095]

SAME OMG

[@gabbynjoku958]

No like for real

[@skyislimit3644]

Same

[@Bynn.h]

Honestly, same. :,)

[@nikkasatoru7102]

Dang it!! 😂

[@millak1967]

Maladaptive daydreaming honestly saved my life. Back when I was SEVERELY depressed it was the only thing that kept me going and I'm so glad that it did.

[@amandarodriguez5070]

I told this to someone before, it saved my life too and even though it took up most of my childhood I needed it at that moment.

[@millak1967]

@@amandarodriguez5070 Thanks for sharing❤ Hope you feel better now!

[@sophian.1201]

It's not maladaptive daydreaming if it's beneficial to you.

[@millak1967]

​@@sophian.1201 I wouldn't say it's "beneficial" to me but it is a coping mechanism 😅

[@Alive_and_here]

@@sophian.1201 it being used as a coping mechanism doesn’t change that it’s still very much a mental condition.

[@allisonwunderbread5283]

When Kristen would become emotional, Anthony would speak in order take the pressure of answering through tears and sort of “giving her a moment to recover” but not dismiss her feelings. A good characteristic of a great interviewer. Very well done.

[@onijaradu]

I do actually think he is the best interviewer on youtube

[@allisonwunderbread5283]

@@onijaradu he is definitely on my top 2!

[@storytime1469]

@@allisonwunderbread5283 Who is the other one? I love Anthony's videos.

[@Kas_Styles]

Love when good interviews are able to pick up little things like that and help whenever needed. It's something small but very appreciated

[@allisonwunderbread5283]

@@storytime1469 I think Sean evans would be my other in top two of KZbin interviewers. Anthony deserves the second for sure

[@iamgraciex8361]

Mine are real people that I turn I to completely different characters. I use celebrities, internet influencers, people off the street, family and friends. It’s rare that I ever create a new character it’s always one based off someone real. They all have different storylines for what universe I want to daydream about. It’s really intense :(

[@madchild4803]

hi, can have ur insta or something? , bc I need friend who feel the same

[@ladygeo_]

It’s the exact same for me

[@average_accident322]

Same here but usually I use character that others have created and/or my idealized characters

[@user-bu6hz2ys9g]

Same soemtimes

[@jfedma8012]

Same

[@aliens_are_real_said_by_me]

What scares me the most when having maladaptive daydreaming is that when I snapped out of it and realized what I just did. I just caught myself talking to myself and acting out what I keep imagining like laughing, the body gestures and having conversations on my own.

[@kisa1243]

Omg me too!

[@Splat654]

Not to that big degree but if i daydream in my home alone, and characters are having dialog i would also copy their gestures and even say their lines outloud, though i realise what i am doing its kinda not intentionally in a way

[@kisa1243]

I get what you mean. What scares me sometimes is when I'm driving. Like you know how sometimes people just drive from point A to point B on autopilot. It get like that too, but sometimes it's more intense with the day dreams and I would completely miss an exit and not realize it till later, and I'm like, wait, where am I? >.< Thankfully, this doesn't happen too often because I try to catch myself when I start slipping in too deep. And I know that this is Not ok to be doing while driving cuz I can put other people at risk.

[@sorrybutitsucks9092]

Me too. Most of the people surrounding me are used to seeing me do those things. One time, I crossed a really busy road without looking if the cars stopped. I only realized what I was doing when I was already in the middle and a car abruptly stopped with a loud sound. I was in my "imagination world" so I couldnt see whats in front of me.

[@XemeraldXD]

Dude the amount of times ive been caught talking to myself- i think some people i know think im crazy

[@sunnydayeverlasting4028]

Maladaptive Daydreaming is what made me fail in school and get behind in life. I've had it for a while and it really messed with my mind. Glad to see this being talked about because it's not recognized as harmful.

[@popojelly1895]

I fucking hate it

[@nikkasatoru7102]

I wanna end it but idk how. Fml

[@malachirichards1072]

Yeah okay buddy

[@sunnydayeverlasting4028]

@@malachirichards1072 ?

[@killtheZOG]

Yeah I have it but no one knows and I’ve never really spoke about it? Is there anything you can actually do about it? I mean I don’t mind just living with it but it’s really hard to move on in life at the same speed as everyone else

[@zoldilox2412]

I wouldn’t diagnose myself as a “maladaptive daydreamer” but maybe a daydreamer in general. In my mind I’m always dreaming about this video game in my head and I’m always thinking of new dialogue, new cutscenes, new gameplay mechanics, new plot points, etc. i even went as far as to learn how to draw so I can better express these ideas I see everyday. Im also going to college to hone my professional skills in writing so I can one day make this daydream into a reality

[@flueros7454]

Yep! Definitely me. Im still not sure if what I’m experiencing is Maladaptive Daydreaming, It goes away, but then comes back very strong? Oddly enough, it does feel like an addiction, and my head feels like exploding if I don’t think about it.. so hm. Yeah, it might’ve also been a coping mechanism now that i think of it..

[@lilacsandstars9365]

ive got a similar thing. itll be super strong for a while when i watch a new show or play a new game, but then itll go away until the next thing comes along. my current one has been going for almost a year now, and i think i have a new one forming. also, im not sure if this is normal, but most of the time, the characters in my daydreams arent people. sometimes theyre dragons or cats. idk.

[@TyraWadman]

That's what I do! I wouldn't consider it MD though. I feel like it mostly borders coping/disassociation. I do it a lot at work because I can't stand being there, and when I have nothing to fill the time with. Lots of writing/drawing and world building. I kinda wanna know what it'd be like to experience it MD style, but I do have vivid dreams.

[@adrianr3885]

i recommend looking into “excessive daydreaming” specifically! there are communities of people who daydream like this but not in a maladaptive way

[@papervulture]

@@TyraWadman MD is often a coping mechanism as well that just spirals a lot - when you get down to it I don't think it's much different from what you experience. It's just a LOT of it. It's seriously not something you want to experience, though - it's fun in the moment but you lose hours at a time to nothing.

[@AngieInChina]

It's so weird listening to people talk so openly about something I kept so secret for my whole life. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one.

[@mythical_dreams613]

😅 Yes, I never even knew I had a disorder. I just thought I was weird.

[@ayusharyan683]

I once used think I’m mad and there’s something wrong with my mind

[@aafkgirl91]

I read your comment and daydreamed we actually had a conversation together 😂

[@priyaraju704]

That's really true 😌

[@MR-ml7ih]

Same 😅

[@charzleal]

as a maladaptive daydreamer i remember crying while trying to google search words to describe what was going on in my head and being so desperate because i couldn't find what it is. finding out what it actually was, that it had a name and people were out there that felt the same way. it was such a relief. this has taken over my life and ruins my school grades... its really painful

[@lauhanne3338]

when i discovered that it was on a snapchat storie and i remember that i cryed because it was portrayed as a mental disease and i thought " what no i can't have that" while i knew i was like that

[@Ari-ij3cz]

Same! I understand this 100%

[@jillsvalentines.]

Same omg :(

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Thanks for sharing Clary. If you need tips on how to manage this condition, head to my channel :)

[@yuktiyukti02]

Same...

[@lowkeydead7379]

as a maladaptive daydreamer i fucken appreciate the shit out of this

[@insertusernamehere3173]

Yeah

[@mikaelawilliams5779]

For the longest time I thought this was normal until I saw a comment one time that gave me a something to search.

[@kat__17666]

yeah!

[@MiaLucifer]

Wait I do this but not for weeks on end. I thought everyone could watch movies in their heads. (Commented this before watching the video)

[@dreamie8450]

sameee

[@binx414]

We need to see him interview pathological liars... that’d be an interesting convo

[@pvic6959]

BUT can we trust anything they say..

[@RedBlueberryAnimates]

What’s your name? *intense sweating”

[@leticiafelix9838]

Well, if that wouldn't be the perfect opportunity for him to extend the olive branch to Trisha Paytas after the whole DID scandal lmao

[@AJFilms14]

BUT would they even agree to come on?

[@kimpedersen5708]

@@leticiafelix9838 well not just the DID thing. the trans scandal one and a few others. trisha needs help honestly.

[@notmyrealname4363]

Daydreaming is the behaviour. Maladaptive Daydream is the addiction. It's a massive struggle for anyone who has this unhealthy coping mechanism as I can attest to. Thankyou for drawing attention to this in a way that is positive by showing the difficult reality of it so we can better learn about it and help people who are suffering from this addiction.

[@average_accident322]

I'm an undiagnosed maladaptive day dreamer. I day dream for hours a day everyday, and when I get interrupted I just quickly do what I gotta do and then my brain kinda goes "previously on your daydream" or something like that. I'm going to my first year of highschool and I'm scared the day dreaming is only gonna get in the way which I'm scared since these years of school rlly count. I wanna get help but at the same time I rlly don't

[@hivemindgoblin8540]

@@average_accident322 Hey! As far as I know, MD is still being researched and is not fully recognized as a disorder yet, so you can’t actually be diagnosed by a professional yet🤷🏼 if you feel that your daydreams/behaviors fit the description of MD then you have full right to refer to them as that if you want to. I’m sorry that you worry about them going into high school😔 if you have any way to visit a counselor of some sort and feel secure/comfortable doing so than they might be able to help brainstorm ideas on how to gain more control of your daydreams (tho you might have to explain what MD is). I worked with a therapist, and we came up with some stuff that’s helped me. Regardless, good luck with your first year and I hope things end up okay for you👍

[@average_accident322]

@@hivemindgoblin8540 thank you! I have a personal therapist I can contact to I can talk to them about it. If you have any suggestions on things that might help I'd be happy to hear!

[@hivemindgoblin8540]

@@average_accident322 I think that what helps best is largely going to depend on the person and how their daydreams affect them🤔 something I do that helps me is if I’m aware I’m starting to daydream, before I get to absorbed I imagine myself inserted into the story and tell the characters that I can’t daydream right now. I’m not in the story or world in any way, so imagining myself interacting with the characters is largely jarring and uncomfortable, which helps refocus me. Something else that helps me is that my dog will paw/nudge/lick me insistently for attention if I ignore him (aka zone out) for too long. My dog is a service dog (not for MD haha, I’m a diagnosed autistic and have chronic illnesses that he’s been trained tasks to help me manage) so he’s with me 24/7, but you could ask a friend or someone trusted to tap you on the hand or something if they see you distracted for a long time if you think a physical reminder would help. Just ideas, I hope this helps to inspire though😊

[@average_accident322]

@@hivemindgoblin8540 thank you! I appreciate the suggestions! I'll try them out and see how they go! Thank you again

[@TheSlurpy11]

I'm so glad you interviewed people with this. I've been like this for years and I only make it work because I'm a writer.

[@puddytat9752]

Wait, are you me in disguise??

[@TheSlurpy11]

@@puddytat9752 that spiderman meme where they point at each other

[@keira8372]

eyy me too! i love creating little stories in my head that to me are super real and then writing them exactly how i imagine them

[@TheSlurpy11]

@@keira8372 99% of my stories are based on MD and dreams 😅

[@lunaraynwolf7036]

I do something similar except I draw it, make character sheets, I take a few notes, so a mix of world building and character art.

[@foxhitsdrums]

my MD personally stemmed from both loneliness as a kid (i’ve always been kinda distant and anti-social) and mild mental abuse from my dad. he wasn’t bad enough to me to make me REALLY fcked up, just enough to force me into a separate world where i’m “perfect.” it also might’ve stemmed from a severe anxiety disorder i’ve been diagnosed with since 3rd grade OR vice versa (anxiety could’ve come BECAUSE i’m not used to the ‘real world’. i’m not sure) i’m so glad i can talk abt this finally 😭

[@acetronaut]

Asocial, not anti-social

[@777Beckers]

I feel you a hundred percent. This is great we all can finally talk about it. We’re not alone anymore.

[@SteenatheCatrobat]

Bruh, I feel this for sure. I grew up in a community where even certain kinds of thoughts were considered sins and I felt I wasn’t allowed to be myself and I felt I had to constantly police myself and my thoughts. Daydreaming was where I could escape and be myself, but there was also anxiety there. Now I use it to essentially heal myself and my childhood.

[@h1h122]

@@acetronaut really dude he’s talking about difficult experiences he has had, and you’re out here correcting him smh.

[@paulasanchez6529]

Sending you a big hug, you got this.

[@augie3424]

This is so refreshing. I know they say it's coping mechanism, but I had a great upbringing and yet was still a maladaptive daydreamer since I was a kid. I spend the whole day daydreaming. I never thought it was a problem because it made me happy, until it got so bad that when I did manage to do chores or have conversations with people, I would have to reenact it over and over in my head, and I couldn't control my facial expressions or movements well anymore. I would put off chores and showering for weeks to daydream. I'm more emotionally involved with my world than real life. Most of the time I would refuse to go out because I rather spend the time with the people in my head. I realized that I couldn't even live unless it was in my own world. Now I'm 20 and looking back at my life, I have accomplished absolutely nothing because of this, only getting my first job now, got into college but failed 2 semesters. Only now am I getting tested for ADHD/OCD/autism and all that junk, which my parents already have. Sorry for oversharing, but if anyone can relate, it's never too late to start your life. I'm glad people are talking about this.

[@danas5846]

hope everything goes well, i relate in many ways.

[@sprinklesplash810]

Same,I had a great childhood and my parents said I started the behaviors when I was 2. It is. A coping mechanism now for my anxiety and depression but back then, it might be from genetics of being an only child as the eldest child for a while. I am also a 20 year old in college who has not accomplished must. Fortunately I know how to balance my school schedule to where I can succeed in it and daydream but I have like no time for anything else. Hope you do better!!!

[@emmamclean5510]

Hey, I highly relate to this, and I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression this year, and treatment really helps. I was exactly the same, my childhood was great, but I was an only child with social difficulties (I'm still suspected ASD.) I was really bad through primary school and middle school, to the point of being on holiday in Indonesia for 3 weeks, and I have 0 memories of the trip outside of my daydreams, or wanting to daydream, because I literally locked myself in my hotel room the entire time. And I have loads of experiences I missed out on because I prioritised daydreaming instead of real life. However, it has been greatly reduced since I started treatment, and since I went on medication. I also found my own distractions to take control of my daydreams, like writing a 'book.' I make myself write stuff down, and engaging in my daydream in a way that makes me think and analyse it and clarify it means I'm less likely to think about it while I'm meant to be doing other things.

[@Rose-xe7oj]

I've had some struggles like that as well. I had a great mom, and I've noticed the times in my life where I've daydreamed the most is when my social anxiety or health was bad. I do it less now, and I'm not attached to any characters, in fact I make most of my characters the opposite of who I am because it makes things interesting. It makes me wonder if I fit on the spectrum or not, since I there are times where I comes and goes but with my health being bad lately I've been doing it more often.

[@megandenniston2659]

Sending love

[@elfiefromangelcity6142]

I have never let my daydreaming get to a point where I laid in bed for days, or didn't go out to try to live my life, but I can legit see myself as a maladaptive daydreamer. All the things they do, from the pacing, to making immersive worlds, and characters, and "watching television" in my head are all things I have done for a long time. I do it to cope with boredom, and anxiety. I think it hasn't ever interrupted life because I'm not bored when doing something fun and engaging, and in the downtime, my imagination is packed up and ready to go with me. I spend a LOT of time in my head. And I do get irritated if something I'm not enjoying (ex: work or school) is keeping me from it for copious amounts of time. I am definitely going to look more into this.

[@glensanjuan]

Glad you were able to find a video that you could relate to! :)

[@dreamingofthemoon]

Samee!! Didn't know there was a word for it

[@mythicmusique6226]

This is exactly how I am. If it isn't really debilitating, you might want to look into Immersive Daydreaming (if you haven't found it already. I realize this comment is 4 months old.) It's Maladaptive Daydreaming without getting in the way of functioning in your day to day life.

[@dreamingofthemoon]

@@mythicmusique6226 interesting, I will look into it!

[@parksantiago3511]

omg I feel so validated by your comment

[@lunar3263]

I nearly cried when I got this notification, I was in disbelief. Haven't watched it yet but I am so glad something I have that doesn't get a lot of recognition is in a video with my favourite youtuber! Thank you Anthony for always doing a fabulous job.

[@Mimi-of6sn]

I felt the exact same wayy

[@vaporsope598]

It’s so comforting to see that our disorder has been finally getting some recognition, and gets to be discussed. I’ve spent so many years thinking I was alone in it, and to see my struggles being validated is such a relief.

[@1sabell3s]

I feel like this too, I always see his videos and think nice representation for them! Now it’s something connected to me and I can’t even explain now I feel

[@Mfidkk]

As someone who has Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder, I am literally crying wth it makes me so happy that this was posted and awareness is FINALLY being spread

[@baleek4367]

I had no idea what MD was but I remember in college I kept telling a depressive friend to just escape in her head like me and she just didn’t know what I was on about ! Same as the girl in the video, I realised I had a problem when my first child was born. Ever since, I make a conscious choice not to daydream every time the compulsion arises, which is rarer and rarer now. You really have to train your brain to lose the habit. Also I avoid certain types of music which make me MD almost immediately

[@bugboimars.]

im a maladaptive daydreamer and i hate it when people dont realize how extreme it is and just say "but i daydream a lot too!" yeah. i cant stop. i cant watch videos, movies, series, play games, listen to music or anything like that without daydreaming, and i cant stop it

[@LunaTheCommenter]

So true, I've gone days without eating or talking to anyone just to walk around my room and daydream, it's so bad

[@cherychristopher7016]

We can overcome it guys❤❤

[@athtarasterios9695]

Yes, it's the drifting away without noticing :x

[@bugboimars.]

@@athtarasterios9695 yeahh

[@staeriix]

same.. while my daydreaming helps me get through some tough places in life, I wonder how it consuming media normally would be.

[@nutella1757]

I'm honestly really glad this was made. A lot of people go "oh I've daydreamed for a while before I totally have maladaptive daydreaming" like no. It's the same as depression in the way that everyone gets sad but it's about how much it effects you and how often it's happening. You can't experience something once in a blue moon and then label yourself with these debilitating things.

[@Blue-fe4by]

Exactly!!!! There so much more to it 😭

[@steelmoon6095]

Thank you so much for this comment. When people said to me "everyone does it" Or "I daydream so I'm definitely a Maladaptive daydreamer" Made me feel like an attention-seeker and invalidated, I felt like maybe It was just me being lazy,overimaginative and dramatic. I felt unseen and that really hurt my feelings. I'm sure that everyone has their own struggle and they are completely valid (no exception, everyone's feelings are valid) but I really appreciate when people approach carefully to this topic, maladaptive daydream is not the same as being a simple daydreamer, and I'm really glad when people realize it is a struggle for many of us;something that can really destroy your everyday life. Luckily people is getting more and more educated in this topic and I hope that helps them to understand what it's harmful (or helpful) to say when they speak with somebody who struggles with Maladaptive daydreaming. (Sorry for my bad English, it is my second language) If you are reading this, you are valid. Remember to take care and be nice to yourself. You got this 💖💖

[@nutella1757]

@@steelmoon6095 awe you seem like such a sweet person. You're not any of those negative things. Like you said everyone has their struggles. Unfortunately some people can't see how others are struggling and brush it off as laziness or being dramatic. That doesn't mean you're not seriously being effected. I hope you're able to find a loving support system that helps you throughout this and I wish you the best on your journey. 💖

[@steelmoon6095]

@@nutella1757 Thank you so Much, you are really nice❤❤ I really appreciate this. Good luck to everyone who is struggling with any mental health difficulties.

[@average_accident322]

Yes, day dreaming for only a few minutes like once a while is normal but day dreaming for hours on end multiple times a day is a problem I haven't gotten help yet cuz I'm not sure if I even wanna stop tbh

[@Miracle_Wizard]

My characters are like friends that I can’t reach. They don’t know I exist but I know they exist and I care for them so much! I cry whenever something bad happens; when characters die, when they have a breakdown or when they’re going through a bad experience. I try everything in my power to make sure my four main characters aren’t hurt and even still Eclipse or Matthew always manage to get hurt the most. Probably because I focus on them a lot. I love them so much and hopefully I’ll be able to show other people how much I love them too

[@mivical]

@@-bugbite who cares like genuinely. they didn’t even ‘claim’ anything

[@tanie3543]

@@-bugbite you need to stop gatekeeping people. They didn't even mention any diagnosis, just shared their experience. Be kinder.

[@summyv7058]

Maybe you could write a book or a movie about them so the world can know and love them like you do

[@Miracle_Wizard]

Thank you guys :)

[@captainobvious.29yearsago70]

write a book or something, please.

[@elkynethehorde5592]

This makes me realize how lucky I was to realize this was a problem when I was about 15 years old after I stayed in bed until 5:30pm without realizing because I was daydreaming. I still struggle with this but I do not allow myself to lay in bed or to sit for hours and be in my head. I did not realize this was even a labeled thing until about a month ago. Thank you for covering this.

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Thank you for sharing :) If you need tips, my channel is dedicated to spreading awareness and speaking on this condition. Don't hesitate to ask!

[@julessosaqtana6019]

same I’ve had really similar experiences staying in bed until hella late in the day just laying with my eyes closed completely awake

[@anniek3866]

Similar here My furthest memory of recognizing this was I remember I thought since I was going into 6th grade I need to stop daydreaming if I want friends I never stopped And I have friends 😂

[@wonderonland2442]

Me too, i used to just go to bed or sit somewhere in the middle of the day and daydream for 3+ hours just making scenarios in my head, or before sleep till early in the morning. I still do that sometimes but just for few minutes

[@gourisree9991]

I didn't know it was a thing until now. I would literally spend hours daydreaming stuffs and creating stories and living in it. Its really fun and relaxation for me. I think maybe it's time for me to stop.

[@jacobsmith3617]

As someone who finally discovered that “Jacob’s thing” was something that other people dealt with too last year, I’m glad to see this video pop up. As always, you handle the guests with care Anthony and I really appreciate that. Thanks Anthony.

[@maebeline2496]

@moomoomoomoo .moomoomoo how does someone "promote" mental health issues lmao. More like showing people that there are more people out there like them making them feel human again and encouraging them to get help if possible

[@VinVin_31]

@Imhighandhungry Thanks for leaving we didn’t need you here YAY! ❤

[@nataliemaxey7796]

I have a feeling maladaptive daydreaming will eventually be classified as a dissociative disorder. I have OSDD and the mentions of using the daydreams as an escape from the real world really hits home, except that I don’t have storylines and I don’t know what happens when I dissociate.

[@Moon17ob]

I absolutely agree. For me this is exactly what I do when I’m depressed. I spend all day in this world in my head and put one of my daydream characters on in the real world. I was conscious in both worlds and remember both but everything is kind of fuzzy. For me I only do this when my mental health is bad, and right now I’m in the process of writing out the inner world. It’s fun and gets it out of my head. I’m also autistic so that might be part of it.

[@serafinaispera537]

I agreeeee so much. I definitely think it’s a type of dissociation.

[@OLBarbok]

Anthony you are spreading awarness for things I didnt even know were a "thing", I have have similar issues and thought it was just part of my depression episodes. But it seems very similar to this.

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Hi, I'm glad this video helped you! If you have any more questions or concerns on maladaptive daydreaming, head on over to my channel where I answer some of them :)

[@deimos589]

Same a little bit, hard to not get lost in it when life sucks.

[@amiecarter163]

@@deimos589 same and it's kinda scary

[@exhaustedmomfriend342]

Actually, they say that maladaptive daydreaming can happen to cope through other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety so you're not too far off

[@ashleyndavis97]

I still struggle with this. I listen to music and come up with plots on the music, but I have to be up and moving jumping around the room. It's gotten to the point where my feet have started to take damage. If I don't have time to do this I get so overwhelmed and feel like I'll have a breakdown. I always thought it was because I was autistic, but others I talked to didn't have this experience. Turns out ot was this, even to this day I struggle. I worry about what my kids will think when they get older. Especially when they get older and wonder why mom doesn't want them to see. Its just feels like being seen naked when people see me during these times. What's worse is I don't know that i can ever get away from it either. It's become a comfort for me in a way nothing else has done for me.

[@c.c.alsobrook337]

I have literally the same thing except I'm not moving around where I play music during school work n I put off the work I'm doin to stare off n imagine a 'music video' to a daydream scenario n my head, it's gotten to the point where I get annoyed when people sing along to it n I'm just here zoning out. I have this worry n my head that when I start driving I'd be too into the music that I'd get into a wreck. It scares me sometimes so I only want my radio to be on somethin like jazz, it's more like background music n it's much harder to daydream to it. Idk if jazz helps with u, but it has with me I don't know why.

[@Laura.v.b]

I did this my whole childhood I to my early 20s. I didn't need music but it started with a toy and like pracing around the garden. I would do it any time I was bored and hid it from everyone outside my family.

[@bleached101]

Yep, I also feel very embarrassed when I'm caught daydreaming. I almost always have to pace around the house in order to daydream better, but if i cant move around I'll just space out, and my mom tends to be concerned and ask me what I"m thinking about. A lot of times I don't even notice myself doing it until I suddenly snap back to reality and realize I haven't started my homework or chores 😭 it's been a problem for me for as long as I can remember, but it's one of the only things that keeps me happy.

[@rosexthermite]

as an autistic person and a maladaptive day dreamer, i feel that, except i typically pace around everywhere and mimic the facial expressions or subtlety mimic the poses of characters in my head. my characters are a greater comfort than people would understand.

[@NeonHighways]

That's so true... Thank you, I never realized it was this. When someone catches me daydreaming, and I'm pacing or turning my head or something... I'll feel violated, like they caught me naked doing the most shameful act... I never realized maladaptive daydreaming was a thing before.

[@AmbiCahira]

Well here we go, confession time. So many people in my life believes I'm not getting a drivers license because I'm cheap or lazy but I drove a vespa when I was 15 and I ended up in the ditch because the monotone straight road triggered a daydreaming episode and I can't with good conscience risk killing myself or others with a car since I can't prevent my brain from slipping into the daydream world. But if I admitted the truth it would seem worse than just being seen as lazy.

[@Maincoon77]

I'm so glad you said this because same! I've never told anyone that's why I keep "putting off getting a license". It's one of the major reasons I do. Whenever I'm in a car it's so easy for me to slip into one of my daydreams. I'm less worried about crashing if I drive and more concerned with just..."waking up" somewhere random. It would definitely happen.

[@bananahalib5190]

I have a license and have gotten into an accident because of this. Trust me, you're doing the right thing.

[@erina2600]

I’m at the point in my life (17) where I’m being pressured to get my license - but I’ve spent all my life daydreaming constantly in the car - and to concentrate in that space instead - idk I just don’t want to give it up

[@shadowscribbler6100]

I too do not drive. I have severe depersonalization, but I also just don't trust myself not to slip off into a daydream while driving.

[@reversingmemories]

Omg. I have my license and im really terrified when I'm on the road because I've come close to getting into car accidents because I'll slip into a day dream. People don't understand how much of a struggle it is. My daydreams trigger in the car when it's silent or when music is playing so im kinda fucked regardless.

[@mic383]

I didn’t realize that I’ve been maladaptive daydreaming my whole life until recently. One of the worst parts is when you realize you have to prioritize your life over the daydreaming, and it’s like you have to say good-bye to the story or characters you’ve become so invested in. In a weird and messed up way, it’s heartbreaking.

[@aliaaaafr]

Why is this so relatable omg 😭

[@aliaaaafr]

@yamaagamingyt Fr! For me, it's like when I think that these people that love me so much in my daydreams are never gonna actually exist, I get so sad :(

[@aliaaaafr]

@yamaagamingyt exactly. For the longest time I never knew what this was, but when I finally found it out, I was happy to find people I could actually relate to more and more

[@krisjam4314]

Yeah it feels like that for me as well just saying goodbye and forgetting about the daydream thought and how much youve grown into it hurts so much 😭

[@MiladyMetalhead]

It's grief/mourning for me. I can't walk away from my characters after 40+ years of it.

[@jewelmiller6367]

SO happy you did an interview like this Anthony! I’ve been dealing with MD for as long as I can remember since I was a child. Music and tv shows usually trigger me and then I enter into a day dream that often last for hours on end. Although I’m pretty creative because of it 😂

[@Daniilshifeband]

I relate with the part of it being triggered by movies and shows, when mine is triggered it usually lasts I'd say maybe an entire day sometimes half a week, so while I'm just existing walking around doing stuff it's all going on in my mind, btw your name is awesome.

[@MiaLucifer]

I relate to you the most. Less the people in the video. I stop myself from doing this by going on my phone then I get lost in my phone. So it’s a lose lose for my time. Honestly need weed or shrooms to be more “normal” I’m better now. Honestly don’t know if this is what I have or something similar because this doesn’t completely feel right. I always say I have severe adhd😂

[@SpoiltLittlePrincess]

It's the same for me. I've been this way for as long as I can remember and I'm almost 29. I'm a bit better at grounding these days but I don't think I'll ever be completely in reality. When I was younger through my mid-twenties I was also obsessed with written role play because it helped me get the world and everything 'out'.

[@nessamonster6581]

I relate so much to all of you here!!! I too have to go on my phone (mostly listen to podcasts and watch KZbin) to get out of my “vivid daydreams” -that I now know is a condition (my mind is seriously blown)!!! Omgosh seeing this video and especially reading all the comments is seriously a game changer…

[@drawinglives3336]

SAME!!!!!!

[@davetwo7]

One common theme I’ve noticed about maladaptive daydreaming is Music and Pacing. Those are the two things that can allow you ignore the outside world and allow you to imagine a different one. I’m a maladaptive daydreamer and it only happens to me when I’m listening to music and pacing. So much so whenever I listen to music, I always try to walk in some way or fashion. I never sit down and listen to music because most of it is spent daydreaming with motion and sound blocking everything out.

[@GirlDo3]

Are you diagnosed?

[@hdtgch9565]

yes! music is a common stimulus for daydreaming and a lot of people daydream most when they listen to music, and its like a need to have it there. pacing is a common action when daydreaming, along with rocking nd spinning. personally I pace too, I'll have my headphones it, phone in my hand and I would just pace for ages. so walking activities are good!

[@kinleymarie7x]

I’m not a maladaptive daydreamer but I love pacing and listening to music while I daydream. Car rides too.

[@bananahalib5190]

@@GirlDo3 maladaptive daydreaming (as of now) has not been recognized as a diagnosable illness. it's often acknowledged as a symptom of other mental illnesses though (ADHD especially).

[@erina2600]

In the car - looking out the window and the pace of the passing scenery is the same as my mind, that’s where it’s strongest for me.

[@RebekahRambles]

I used to do the walk round in circles thing for hours when I was growing up, and this makes so much sense. And as a trauma response makes even greater sense

[@Bynn.h]

I didn’t know that the walking in circles was a common thing. It was rare I was able to, but I definitely paced.

[@stephieann6541]

Damn, I still do it

[@dream_walker9726]

I’ve been pacing in circles since I was able to walk 🥲

[@sunflower2929]

I spin in circles in a swivel chair and daydream

[@zee-lie]

I’m honestly so scared to tell my parents abt this bc I feel like they’ll force me to stop but I don’t want to it’s the only thing that calms me down in stressful situations

[@Sapphic288]

If you don’t want to tell them. Then don’t?

[@aurerixa6379]

You don't have to tell them. I would suggest maybe draw or write abt it? Like make a webtoon or something that way you can get some money or smth

[@heatherm8736]

Not sure how old you are but I would try get help. I missed out on so much of the school, highschool, and university fun times because I was preoccupied. Lost so much of my young life that I will never get back .

[@A.J.y2]

Me too but it’s affecting my grades and so rn so I dont know What to do I can’t help but daydream in class. Its honestly taking over my life.

[@k4tzxbeel0vedz]

i have been daydreaming like this for years now, i used to have this weird habit: whenever i listened to music and daydreamed, i would slide across my room/walk around or just make some kind of movement while day dreaming when i became a teenager i started to feel REALLY insecure about it so i forced myself to not do it anymore

[@UmLammyJammer]

Hey, I do that sliding and walking thing too! As for me, I’m very attached to my DDCs (daydream characters). They’re like family now, they’ve all grown and it’s like they’re something that’s taken a life of their own

[@humain_4042]

I think making movement while daydreaming is quite common. That's not weird.

[@gamebowgirl872]

Yea!! I constantly try to walk for hours on end just so I can daydream. But when I don’t go on walks, I slide and jitter and move

[@average_accident322]

Holy shit me too and depending on the song would be the theme of my day dream. I haven't gotten help yet cuz I'm not sure if I even wanna stop

[@dream_walker9726]

I’ve always been very in motion during my daydreams and have stubbed my toe or hit my hand more times than I can count 😭

[@oo686oo]

As a maladaptive daydreamer with aphantasia, I think Kristin talking about how 'if she were to write it down' there would be so much just there, is really important. (I haven't watched the full video yet, so I'll edit this if its mentioned), but I write my stories down-and I think some people assume that everyone with MD has one story, or that if they have multiple stories they're all based off of TV shows/books/life events-so its really easy to write. But its so hard to write or tell, because what I can think about cannot translate into words. Anyways that's my rant. :)

[@acfamily1513]

Yeah my way of daydreaming is by "acting it out". In my teenage years I used to do the same as the people in the video with just "sleeping", but then I started craving for more and now I act. I'll just be alone in my room and act what I'm daydreaming about, so sometimes I stand for 8 hours long in my room talking to the walls. And sometimes its the same daydream, but often I have multiple kind of dreams, not just one world. That was my rant😂 I hope one day (if you are struggling with it) that it becomes better

[@lulobo5418]

That’s a really dope combo

[@lulobo5418]

@@acfamily1513 SAMEEE

[@shadowscribbler6100]

I'm extremely confused as to how it's possible to daydream with aphantasia? When I do it, it looks like a film in my mind's eye...

[@rosenrot234]

@@shadowscribbler6100 It's easier for me to daydream if I already know what a setting or character looks like. If I have to come up with something from scratch, that's when I struggle with aphantasia. Like I can imagine two characters talking to each other. But the surrounding stuff around them tends to just be gray and unimportant space.

[@Maxis_Mi]

I am not a maladaptive daydreamer myself, but I can somewhat grasp the concept because I often daydream about some original stories and characters. I hope people can realize the difference between being creative. thinking up characters and worlds, and having daydreams consume their lives I hope anyone struggling with MD can find the right support for them

[@battlequestvalley2416]

I’m confused on what makes them distinct with each other though?

[@Elena-gj6ow]

@@battlequestvalley2416 Severity, effect on life. Daydrems aren't inherently bad, and the daydreams consuming the maladaptive daydreamers aren't any different. It's the way the person reacts to the action and how they create habits etc that can make it harmful.

[@naolucillerandom5280]

@Andhowdoesthatmakeyoufeel In my case, the worst it gets is me starting to talk with myself or putting on music and getting up, and suddenly it's 4 AM and my half eaten dinner is now cold and looks bad, and it still looks weird after silently putting it in the microwave trying not to wake people up, and I slightly regret my life choices. Luckily I was on vacation and I was free to mess up my sleep schedule.

[@starhill6792]

@@battlequestvalley2416 medically we can assume too that brain patterns are different for maladaptive daydreamers and people who are just daydreaming

[@wolfzmusic9706]

I don't think it's all negative. I haven't been diagnosed with MD but I'm pretty sure I have it, but just a really mild case. I daydream a lot and I have to daydream to fall asleep basically but it doesn't consume my life. It used to consume my life a bit but that was when I was 11-13 years old and had no life and no school work, so it consuming my life wasn't bad. If it was still like that now though, it wouldn't be great.

[@PantslessPajamas]

Late to this video by a month, but MAN. So many of the experiences they described reminded me of what it was like growing up. From the rocking in my chair, the spinning and pacing, the hours spent looking off in the distance while I was surrounded by my peers. I spent so much time in fantasy worlds that I was creating for made-up people in my mind. It's what made me dedicate like...6 years of my life to online roleplay groups and OCs. I was getting to experience my daydreams through my characters, whilst also having other IRL people with OCs there to interact with and validate my love for a completely fictional world. I practically attended an online school for 3 years, JUST because a character of mine was being used in a school-themed roleplay group that functioned on real time. I drew/wrote out assignments, I went to online prom, experience 'summer vacation'- I even enlisted one of my graduating OCs as a student teacher in their program and then I MADE the assignments for that class. I had to work really hard to pull myself away from creating fantasy worlds and now? Without that escape from real life, I find myself all the more antsy, anxious, and depressed with reality. Maladaptive daydreams are no joke and it's wonderful to see it being spoken about!

[@_someoneonearth_]

You are an amazing artist and as one of your subscribers we appreciate you so much for pulling through.

[@jamelbunny5732]

@@_someoneonearth_ I second that

[@BrandonShere]

Wow this is literally getting high by using your own brain to imagine and release the same chemicals heroin would. I was wondering because so many of these symptoms and experiences I related too and thought I did the same with drugs. That can't be easy, to know the thing that gets you high is available at any time you want it :( not to mention experiencing withdrawals. I'm sorry to anyone who has to go through this.

[@paulovemx2222]

Yes before this video I always felt it adictive because it instantly feels good like a bite of your favorite candy, and you get moody if someone intercepts you while you're sitting staring at the floor or wall dreaming about literally whatever, when you're shy, introverted and an insecure person it gets worse because that's literally the only way you can feel excited since you avoid going out or meeting people or doing fun things, that is your amusement park or your rollercoaster ride, it's better the alternative reality you create in your head because you control everything that happens to you. You don't have to worry about anything because you do what you want to do, there's no imposible and if you don't like something you just start dreaming again and fix it. It's more than just a quick daydream its quite life consuming it literally takes hours of your days.

[@kiraholmes3123]

@@paulovemx2222 I never knew this was a thing. I've always been so embarrassed to tell anyone about this. For me whenever it starts its like a rush of good feelings, like a high. I started experiencing it when I was 13 and I never knew what it was. Now I have no social skills because I spent so much time doing this.

[@paulovemx2222]

@@kiraholmes3123 I discovered it a few years ago but it started since I can remember especially teenage years, I haven't tell anybody either, it's not like they would understand what it really is, people would think I'm making it up, but if I can tell you one thing is that once you are aware of it, you learn to control it most of the times, though I still catch myself doing it but I immediately stop cause I know it will only bring disappointment once it's over

[@kiraholmes3123]

@@paulovemx2222 that's exactly what I've been doing. I try not to do it as much as I used to but sometimes I feel like I need to. People would always make fun of me and say I'm always in my own world and day dream too much. Now I'm trying to live in the now and stop doing it.

[@olive_99]

It really just seems like another type of addiction. Addiction is often escapism

[@justanotherweirdo11]

One of my favorites on Webtoon is called "Dream Constellation" it's by livys and it's about a girl who is a maladaptive daydreamer and the author is also a maladaptive daydreamer. Her other webtoon "Oblivion Tears" is pretty good too.

[@emm8831]

Where can you read it? it sounds very interesting

[@hey7492]

omg that sounds interesting, I love webtoon, ty, ill read it

[@stefaniel4323]

Thank you love Webtoon too. Another to my list!

[@hehe-ee5kg]

i don't find it :(

[@ThatSwampCryptid]

Thanks for recommending!

[@crownclowncreations]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a video about a “disorder” where 95 % of the comments are people that have that same diagnosis. I’m really surprised that I’ve never heard of this before! I definitely day dream way more than neurotypical people, but not this much I’ll admit.

[@devon4357]

Same

[@Thegenderfluiddinosaur]

@@devon4357 me too but not as much as this and it's probably because of my ADHD

[@emmett7779]

as a person who has struggled with this for 6 years, i can tell you that i only found out within the past year that it was an actual thing with an actual name

[@asdf852asdf]

Ngl i know some of the comments are very genuine with this condition, but im 100% sure a lot of people just "found out" they have it

[@CandyThePuppy]

@@Thegenderfluiddinosaur _when you have (potential) ADHD and maladaptive daydreaming:_ **P A I N**

[@KayoYuuki]

Omg I watched this just for entertainment and I'm shocked! So to create many universes in your head and live with your characters for years isn't just being creative? Holy.... It's a thing! I had no idea! I used to walk around or stare at a blank wall for hours, completely lost in another realm, everything they said resonated so deeply, the grief of the loss of these characters, the complexity of the universes, the hours, the lost opportunities, not wanting to be bothered, pushing people away, trauma... I definitely have this. I grew up alone with a narcissistic mother, my whole life is trauma, I'm almost 30 and I still struggle to "be normal", no wonder that's what I was doing lol. I do plan to write it all down someday, it's quite entertaining! I Have this universe with magic which was my first one, there are futuristic ones and horror ones, I just need to procrastinate less, live more. Maybe show people what I see.

[@lornglory1451]

I grew up with two narcissists, same with me!

[@RhythmAddictedState]

Same for me, one of my parents is a narc, and to escape the reality of narc abuse and of my being a "failure" (that's what I thought of myself some time ago, still struggle with this), I would just MD.

[@snowkooo8461]

i also plan to write down my universe one day but i don't know where to start as i randomly added more and more stuff and changing my plot line time to time and it was sort of never ending and most importantly i am NOT ready for the public judgements yet🙃

[@lampyrisnoctiluca9904]

I wrote two books. They were bad. I think that was because of my lack of experience as a writer. I am currently working on the third one. I expect it to be better than the first two, but I don't know if it is going to be good enough for showing it to others. Maybe you should all just start writing, instead of telling yourself that you'll do it one day.

[@claudiadesessa1613]

Lp

[@SonicRider1110]

I haven’t really clicked with a lot of the videos Anthony has done, but this one was the one that got me. I suffered from maladaptive daydreaming from like 12 to 21 and while it did help me cope a lot, I also missed out on a lot of things as well. I’m glad it’s finally getting recognized as a real disorder, as it can be hard to live with. It also makes me feel validated knowing that other people dealt with this disorder too.

[@larissa-nn8ng]

hii, do you have any advice about how to deal with it?

[@cadennemcdaris788]

@@larissa-nn8ng Personally, keep a couple aspects of your life out of your daydreams, if it's possible. That way you're not stuck in those dreams forever, because there's still things that's worth living your life for.

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

@@larissa-nn8ng Hi Larissa, if you need tips on how to manage, please head to my channel where I may have already answered some of your questions :)

[@SonicRider1110]

@@larissa-nn8ng My best advice is just to try and remember that life outside the daydreams is worth living. Try to find friends you can have fun with or activities you like to do so you have something other than just MDD to help you cope with your issues.

[@Veratheprettiest]

Holy fuck I felt a drop in my.stomach when the lady talked about wasting the important years when you're supposed to be socializing and preparing your life on daydreaming. I've since taught myself social skills and I'm slowly catching up with school and stuff but it's clear I'm behind my peers. It fucking sucks and I often wonder how life would be if I had spent all the time I spent in my imagination on having actual experiences. Thank you Anthony for being so understanding ❤️

[@lindahope7001]

SAME!! 37 and this is the 1st time I've EVER heard any1else ever mention anything like this!.... I literally daydream my life away 🙄

[@BrikerCharm]

I like to consider my characters “alternative sides of myself”. As in I would love to have this life, but it isn’t mine; but I do want it. I discovered I had maladaptive daydreaming at 8 (not sure exactly) and ever since it first started it has been hell. Did I enjoy? Of course I did. After school I would love to know that my mum wasn’t home just so I could room around my apartment until she came, which was in 2h or so. Although, after a while I realised it stressed me out. I couldn’t focus on my school work and sometimes I would cancel plans and things I wanted to do that day just because I couldn’t help the urge to go in circles in my room. I’m still struggling. My head hurt while watching this video just because I know how relatable and annoying this is. I’ll never forget those moments while I couldn’t help myself in public. I tried talking ab it, but most people don’t care or say that it’s relatable to them as well and that I shouldn’t worry. They don’t know what’s like; I’m looking forward into seeing someone to tell me more, but my parents didn’t believe me when I’ll told them. And then they question why they find me in the middle of my room.

[@flori7246]

show them this vid?

[@charlizereese6264]

This is exactly what i was experiencing too at this moment

[@0quin0]

this is the type of daydreaming i experience rather than fantasy stuff. i also daydream about traumatic stuff happening to myself often or people around me and i wish i knew what that was about. another issue about daydreaming about "a better me" was a lot of self hate that came with it. then i would start to feel like i deserved the negative things that happened to me even in the daydreams where i felt my life was better. doesnt help that i move my hands weirdly when i daydream and i used to get yelled at when i was a kid because my parents didnt want other people to think there was something wrong with me which also added to the self hate early on. this shit is hard to live with but im glad its getting researched more.

[@airapink815]

@@0quin0 I relate. Yes even I think something is wrong with me why do I daydream about horrible things happening to me & the other characters in my head. The situations I make up are horrible. I think it maybe to make me feel better about my own life but idk

[@airapink815]

And my father said only mad people move around the room in circles & talk to themselves. Are you crazy or what?

[@alwaysprimavera]

Sh*t. I do this when I'm depressed or having a lot of anxiety. I didn't know it had a name and it was an actual thing. Wow. Thank you for this.

[@i.love.kingvon]

i think that’s just daydreaming

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

@@i.love.kingvon how can you say what somebody else is experiencing..you cant.

[@i.love.kingvon]

@@TheKatarinaGiselle im saying that as a person who has this it isn't subjected to emotions much

[@slayerrrfrvv9284]

No that's just daydreaming , maladaptive daydreaming doesn't go away no matter if ur happy or sad or depressed

[@slayerrrfrvv9284]

@@TheKatarinaGiselle because they do that only when they're depressed or anxious

[@zombii_gal]

I'm so glad someone is talking about this. I'm tired of not being understood about it and being seen as weird for it. My MD often has me making facial expressions, mouthing words, and moving my hands as if I'm speaking. It first developed in early elementary. I was bullied and had no friends. I'd often sit alone during lunch and recess and just drift off. Of course, it started small and grew more complex over time. I wanted nothing more than to be anywhere else but at school. It didn't help that I grew up with the internet and had access to many fantasy worlds already. Both the internet and MD became such a prominent need in my life that I couldn't be a person. I'd isolate myself for hours and hours just so I didn't have to think about reality in any way. My daydreams are mainly first person now but sometimes third person. I usually just listen to music and imagine I'm performing in front of some cast of characters. It's always either in a high school, college, or a home that might be mine. There always seems to be at least one character that falls in love with my daydream self. I guess I just really want so badly to be rid of my social anxiety and just be goofy and sing and dance around. And I'm lonely and want attention. 😂 I guess I also don't think very highly of myself so being desired seems very... desirable.

[@rogelio723_dx3]

Yup that sounds like me i even walk around while listening to videogame music...

[@mayuraotomi2547]

This sounds so much like what I'm experiencing and I always thought I'm the only one I'm actually shocked...

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Thank you for sharing your experience. If you have some unanswered questions, head over to my channel where I answer some of them and also offer tips on how to manage your daydreaming.

[@taonmi]

I learned about this term just recently, I used to think every person can do this and just most of people choose not to. It definitely feels like a drug... I'm sometimes annoyed when I have to do something or talk to someone and I would rather daydream

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Hi, if you need tips on how to manage maladaptive daydreaming, head to my channel!

[@thisisanoldemaildonotreply7045]

Everyone can do this. Some people just have nothing better to do (myself included).

[@taonmi]

@@thisisanoldemaildonotreply7045 Well I spoke with my bf about this and he said he cannot do this, no matter how hard he tries

[@thisisanoldemaildonotreply7045]

@@taonmi well everybody daydreams. And regular people daydream for that same sensation you get. but I feel that certain people get really attached to that sensation they get when they do it. It becomes addicting and can be a coping mechanism to a sad or boring reality. It will probably always be ingrained in you. That being said I don’t think it should be painted all negative. I believe it could become a healthy coping mechanism if you learn how to balance it. Stopping myself from doing it sometimes leaves me with a strange yet uplifting feeling that encourages me to get up and do something useful. But sometimes sitting down in your room and staring at your wall with a blank face letting your imagination run wild in your head can be the most peaceful and relaxing parts of your day. It’s a beautiful thing when you balance it and learn not to do it at inappropriate times. Didn’t mean for the reply to be this long haha.

[@noogiethefirst8381]

@@thisisanoldemaildonotreply7045 you legit do not know how much your comment has helped me lol

[@sanrioluvr7]

i’ve struggled with this for years and i didn’t know it was a thing until recently, i fr thought i was crazy since i thought i was the only one n knew it wasn’t just daydreaming and that it was a problem 😭 i’m glad people are starting to talk about it

[@ashlazdanovich8396]

Is there like a spectrum of maladaptive daydreaming? Because I’ve always daydreamed like having a fantasy in my head with many characters worlds and in a sense a few universes that are very much all fleshed out in great detail. But it’s not necessarily as extreme. I learned how to stop it to keep it from destroying my day to day life by pausing it like one can pause a movie or video when I needed to focus on something irl. Now, I’ve mostly delegated it mostly to before sleep and driving-I can compartmentalize enough to actually focus on the road. And when I’m out and not focused on much, I’ll just slip into daydreaming too. It’s weird.

[@Void-xm6is]

I don't think you need every symptom to be considered. Not everyone paces or rocks or do movements when they daydream. I would believe it's a spectrum of sorts.

[@mysmirandam.6618]

This should be in the DSM because same

[@faerie5926]

There definitely is a spectrum, I have it, but I don't do movements when I'm daydreaming, have full control over the stories and I can pull myself out of them when I need too. It still seriously affects my life though because I'll get sucked into daydreaming like when I'm doing homework and do that instead. It's also been causing me memory problems which is fun- I think that if it's negatively affecting your life, even if it doesn't hit all of the check marks, it still is Maladaptive Daydreaming. Though there is another type of daydreaming called Immerseve daydreaming that is more intense than normal daydreaming but it doesn't negatively impact your life like maladaptive daydreaming does.

[@papyruslovespink6089]

Finally someone like me!

[@annipsy2185]

I think then its just "daydreaming" you know? Which i believe might be a very normal thing alotta people do? Because ive talked about it with many of my friends. They literally all do it to a certain degree. Like having some characters and scenarios they go to etc.... I think its only considered a problem/disorder when its super intense and takes very long so it messes with real life.

[@ghostface3757]

as someone who has dealt with severe maladaptive daydreaming my whole life i’m so excited for this video there’s not a day or hour that goes by where i’m not completely hidden away in my mind and it’s scary i’m so glad for more awareness to be brought to it, i’ve been too embarrassed to seek help because of how little people know about it

[@Mimi-of6sn]

If I do have maladaptive daydreaming it is definitely not as bad has some people's. I don't do it all the time but my default (when I am not doing anything else) is to daydream. I have different stories that I can differentiate between so I do have a sense of control most of the time. I do the same scenes again and again like a comfort tool - it is a mechanism for loneliness.

[@River_On_Down]

I'm 25 now, I've been maladaptive daydreaming since I was 8. I would insert myself into shows I was watching like Pokemon and physically act them out, talk out loud to the characters and I'd get attached to them more than my family. I still do it now (late at night when everyone else is asleep) and unfortunately they're the only thing I look forward to in my days now. Every new show, video game and anime gets added to my stories and my personal timeline, making it more complex. I guess an upside to my daydreaming is that it adds to my creative writings. I'm glad to see this being talked about more and more, when I found out that this had an actual name I was so excited and happy and relieved that I wasn't just crazy

[@jax8352]

Same here!

[@delaneykeller1389]

Yours mimics mind a lot! Also I see Aizawa as your pfp so I feel like we also have a similar cast of characters 😂

[@River_On_Down]

@@delaneykeller1389 nice 👍😂

[@rogelio723_dx3]

Yup same here

[@Deeeedlicious]

are you me???:$&: bc this described everything i did / do omggg

[@henrynutsy]

I actually daydream a lot. Being in the middle of many stories, thinking about what would happen if id do something at the moment, meeting a new friend in my mind. It is sometimes overwhelming and I cant escape it now to be honest. This video is very helpful for me.

[@o.d.a.t2367]

I have the same thing but I don't know if that is maladaptive daydreaming or just daydreaming?

[@henrynutsy]

@@o.d.a.t2367 maladaptive daydreaming is much more intense and is a disorder

[@livlav444]

As a maladaptive daydreamer, this video is amazing. It shows our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My maladaptive daydreams have saved me. I can’t pull myself out of them, and it’s a problem. I interact with these “people” in my daydreams and it feels real. I look different in these daydreams, and it genuinely shocks and scares me when I realize I don’t look like that. It’s like a movie in my mind, in my brain. While I’m daydreaming, I rock back and forth. My mind can’t stop, and it’s terrible. I love these universes. These universes are my world, my life. I love it. But, it hurts. I can’t stop. I can’t think without thinking about these universes, I can’t stay in the moment. I’m completely enamored with these universes and it’s destroyed me. But, I love it. It’s addictive. And, I can’t stop it. I have a future ahead of me. I have a career ahead of me. Someday I’m going to graduate. Someday I’m going to go to college. Someday I’m going to go into the military. And I’m terrified of ruining that.

[@marinetter.8423]

Who are these people?

[@drippingbeans]

As a maladaptive daydreamer myself, I’m so glad that it’s finally starting to be recognised more and not just ignored. You don’t understand how much I appreciate this, Anthony you have all my respect!

[@nyxrevenge]

I can't emphasis how this video shook me to my core. This disorder is somthing I've dealt with for a long time and I didn't know whats wrong with me and there is nearly 0 talk around this condition. The pressure was worse when I thought Im the only one. When I found my community and people who were in the same condition I was crying cause for the very first time I felt understood and not alone anymore. Thank you anthony, for spreading the word and making many young people know that they are not alone

[@yourfavoriteoompaloompa139]

!!! Same

[@Snow----]

I feel the same

[@maebeline2496]

@moomoomoomoo .moomoomoo now you're just calling everyone a bot come on

[@sspectre8217]

I feel for you people, as a kid I used to daydream all the time for hours on end but it slowly died down. It’s kinda crazy to think of how my life would be like if it never did, or if my daydreams became more intricate and easier to lose myself in them. It sounds both cool and scary for sure

[@silv3r_may]

Same I just realized that this was an actual thing and its very relieving Im not the only one, but I want stop LSUSJD

[@Kitticane]

I honestly felt so relieved when I first heard about maladaptive daydreaming. I use to have a wild imagination as a kid and I just never grew out of it. I’m consistently replaying shows in my head and adding myself into the story. They’re in my dreams, I speak out loud and act it-I thought I was crazy.

[@gorrillababy2000]

I do it too. I'm so glad to have found people like me.

[@edelette6529]

Me too I just thought I was very imaginative.

[@gimmekromer1151]

Somentimes i would create my own cartoon shows in my mind

[@iza._.le._]

Been daydreaming for as long as I remember. When I got diagnosed with PTSD the daydreaming just got WAY WORSE. Couldn't finish a movie or book in one go since some scenes just trigger me to stand up, grab headphones then just pace about the room, daydreaming. Heck, I'm even pausing this video from time to time cuz I'm imagining myself getting interviewed about maladaptive daydreaming. I now have tinnitus since I set my music's volume too loud 😀

[@MC-gu1rx]

Pausing the video in order to daydream, pls I’m doing the same right now 💀

[@rogelio723_dx3]

Me in life but i actually do chores and stuff but preffer daydreaming instead of being close to anyone... In the end the only place where i'm happy is my mind, where someone would accept me with flaws and all, and wouldn't be alone

[@ellie7200]

@@MC-gu1rx Same! Some of the content I consume just instantly triggers me to get up, put on music and start pacing to get lost in my daydreams

[@oomay1925]

Omg yes I always daydream of interviews and stuff like that

[@siri4792]

You are just me

[@Ispy-pixels420]

This is great! I remember feeling deep shame when I got caught expressing facial ticks of characters in my head or bursting out laughing. I thought it was totally normal to spend hours daydreaming and processing thoughts through them. It really was hard to come to terms with the fact that something so ingrained in my daily life is a mental illness I never realized I had.

[@affettatoprosciutto7139]

Felt this. I smile, I laugh, I cry, I feel. Still struggling to come to terms with the fact that my other life is an issue

[@proudtobeanerd5340]

Omg I’m so self-conscious about it. One time I burst out laughing because of something I was imagining and my dad was like why are you laughing? But I didn’t want to tell him what I was imagining so I just shook my head and kept laughing. Plus the number of times people have asked me if I’m okay when I felt fine and was just imagining a character’s facial expression! 😬

[@trix.iebrews]

I feel blessed that Maladaptive Daydreaming is finally getting recognized cause honestly I have been for 3 years and it’s out of control by now

[@glensanjuan]

So sorry to hear your MD is out of control... 💛

[@Adrianlangdon339]

I am a Maladaptive daydreamer, I often have the same plot for weeks. Oddly most of my stories end of “ending” pretty toxix. But most of the times I have the same characters and they still have their storylines

[@sailorcat]

I've been having very similar plots for years with one character reappearing over and over again. I always change it up a bit. I don't think it's the extent of maladaptive daydreaming, but it might go into that direction.

[@isapheonix]

I DO THAT TOO!!! THE UNHEALTHY DAYDREAMS!!! Tell me something do you also have ptsd and complex trauma? Cuz I think that's related...

[@Adrianlangdon339]

@@isapheonix ptsd, DiD and adhd… god I’m a mess!!!

[@isapheonix]

@@Adrianlangdon339 I have two of those complex trauma anxiety and depression. Dude I wonder if toxic day dreaming is related to trauma?

[@isapheonix]

The adhd and ptsd, just realized I should clarify. Btw ur not a mess, your a person who's healing.

[@LowkeyLonely]

I’m not going to say I do this, but this brought so much clarity I started crying. Something like This has been happening since I was six. This world and these “shows” I’ve made in my own head are so important to me I want to make sharing them a career. I’m failing all my classes because I’d rather be my own world. And once I’m in it I can’t leave. This whole video spoke to me in a way nothing else has

[@coollittlebinch4689]

I love the "I spent a day series" because it has taught me about so many different types of people and their experiences.

[@ghosty9893]

I just clicked so fast! My daydreams literally control me so bad. I can't go without the day or night without doing it, i get panic attacks when I don't have music to do it, I believe in the things my mind says I am, which also doesn't help with my ocd obsessive thoughts! It makes it even worse when I've watched horror films etc because it wants too involve all these ideas, it scares me sometimes how busy our minds can be when it comes to this disorder. I've been doing it ever since I was 6 and I can't see my world without it😥

[@stagefish41]

This resonates with me bruh

[@naolucillerandom5280]

What do you mean starting to panic if I can't find my earphones isn't normal? ;-;

[@asr2585]

@@naolucillerandom5280 they mean that they get panicked when they don’t have music to daydream to.

[@yanagiop]

same. I have anxiety and panic disorder and it just gets so much worse when i haven't daydreamed, because i get all my serotonin from that

[@rjlee-cc4xy]

@uwuAmber THIS omg

[@llucie2289]

I never realized I had this back in my childhood to teenage years until I saw this video. I would stay in bed for hours all day I would call "collecting my thoughts" in my journal but really I just daydreamed as an escape from my situation. The time I felt happiest was when I was in my bed, daydreaming about anything at all. The worse it got was I think 4 days in a row, when my computer broke and lost all its files and I didn't have distraction anymore. I would eat meals and go back to bed and I lost so much time doing it.

[@Aelin18]

that was VERY interesting... never really felt that understood before, this feeling of waking to reality and feeling like you are missing a part of yourself. maybe now I know how to call my 'excessive' daydreaming properly.

[@the_silliest_goober]

Wow. I thought it was an insane secret that I spent 1-4 hours semi-daily spinning and listening to music while making stories in my head or pretending to be asleep for hours at a time daydreaming. This is the first time in my life I've met someone who also does this. I got chills when I heard that one of them spins while daydreaming and anoyher lays in bed pretending to be asleep because I do both. I didn't even know there was a name for the world. Mine is usually a mha au Edit: It is crazy how many other people have comments like me I AM ABOUT TO CRY I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE

[@jordan3135]

Totally, you're not alone

[@torchwoodboy5564]

Not alone at all 🫶

[@vannessajimenez6358]

I cried watching this. It means so much to see people brave enough coming forward about maladaptive daydreaming. It really gets in the way of life and it is very difficult to stop. It's addicting and when it has been bad, it has taken over my real life. Seeing this makes me feel so full of hope, and not alone. Mindful Meditation also helps ALOT!! It reminds me to be in the moment and not disappear into a fantasy world. Also, constant being grateful for the things you do have in your real life can make it harder to "disassociate".Thanks so much for sharing ❤️

[@danikavanrooyen1829]

Anthony, you broke me with this video. I recently found out I have MD. 8:30 and I broke down crying. I never realized how much I was struggling. Thank you for making this video, it leaves a feeling of being heard with something so incredibly painful to deal with (not physically but emotionally)

[@maladaptivedaydreamerwithj2632]

Hi Danika, thank you for sharing this. I know what it's like to feel alone with this, as it took me decades to find another daydreamer. If you need tips or questions answered about MD, head to my channel!

[@yourfavoriteoompaloompa139]

I’m so overjoyed right now. I have this and I tried emailing in to get this on the show. Thank you so much for covering this and bring awareness to our own little imagery worlds

[@meriambenabdallah9495]

I have a question what if maladaptive daydreaming has something to do with Alternate universes? since I've been questioning this recently

[@yourfavoriteoompaloompa139]

@@meriambenabdallah9495 hey there 👋🏽. Im just now seeing your reply a month later lol but I’m not too familiar with alternative universes. Maybe if you explained more about what alternative universes were I would have a better understanding on it but other than that I don’t necessarily think so since us maladaptive daydreamers are able to know that this is not the outside our heads real reality, it’s just a make believe reality of our own imaginary world. Hope this helps.

[@meriambenabdallah9495]

@@yourfavoriteoompaloompa139 thank you I just thought that as a theory of parellel worlds or something like that,that's all. 😀🤗♥️

[@REPDC4LIFE]

I had to stop daydreaming so much. It had me isolated in my room, day after day... for hours. The compulsion is so strong. I do love it tho...

[@loliedita1920]

did u quit it

[@Mantras-and-Mystics]

How did you STOP? It's been lifelong for me since the age of 7.

[@klc7275]

Thank you for this. I'm a maladaptive daydreamer and it feels really lonely. Also, no one believes you're struggling with anything. They just think you're being lazy and choosing to not connect to reality. That kind of judgement just makes you slip deeper into your daydreams. This video makes me feel less alone.

[@ruthabera1159]

Facts

[@void-sef]

i'm surprised you did an interview about this but i'm happy you did. i remember back in middle school when my maladaptive daydreaming got really bad i shared my paracosm with one of my friends. he didn't understand how important it was to me and started suggesting things i could add to it and i ended up getting unreasonably angry at him, and eventually ended up asking to stop being friends with him because of it. i still feel bad for it now, even though we made up and became friends again after a year i feel like when talking about maladaptive daydreaming no one brings up the negative parts of it and only talk about how nice it must be to have a "tv show" in your head at all times, so this interview is really refreshing to watch :)

[@cirquedefreak7329]

Agreed. I agreed with them saying it’s an issue bc I prioritize it so much over my school work and it’s so horrible and I know I should stop it but I can’t

[@void-sef]

@@benja_h0337 heyo! for me personally i've always been able to control what happens to an extent? idk how to explain it. i've never had one of my characters die, and honestly when she said that it surprised me too lol. once i start daydreaming i'm kind of only half-way in control of what happens, if that makes sense. like ill start with a vague idea of what im going to be daydreaming about but from then on it sorta takes on a life of its own. i've been surprised a lot with some of the things my characters end up talking about tho that's for sure, dialogue between them always ends up being the thing i have the least amount of control over also since i'm a writer that ends up writing a lot about the characters i daydream about i sometimes have to add completely new things to their character sheets because of something that happened in the daydream, it gets really interesting, when i was daydreaming really late at night one of my characters invented and shot a rover up to the moon to collect space rocks because they got black out drunk, and that's just now a part of their character, i can't change that (sorry i typed a lot, im bad at explaining things quickly)

[@cirquedefreak7329]

Benja_H0 HI LOVE! I think it depends on the individual? I can control everything that happens in mine, I can control who dies, how they die, when they die etc… and if they DO die I can bring them back if I can which is odd. It surprised me too that she said she couldn’t but who knows, I would love for research to be conducted on this topic bc it’s so interesting how everyone’s brains work differently

[@mylieliss1786]

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS!!!

[@orangeshades5151]

ME TOO

[@irrisistiblue]

SAME

[@liphuzrd]

I think I’ve always been like this, especially because I grew up alone. When I was a kid, I barely played with other children so I would create stories in my head. A new story everyday, but only when I was alone. Moving to the United States, restarting my life, and being alone again made realize how I began to daydream again like when I was a child without doing the chores I was supposed to do. Most of my stories include people I know, or how I want my life to be.

[@leilahunter9165]

am i the only one who would love to see an episode of "i spent a day with anthony padilla" (interviewed by someone else) like from his time in smosh to now and how he has progressed to like his favourite interviews to the toll some of the harder hitting ones have taken on him yk stuff like that

[@fatimaanguiano2966]

I didn't know what exactly it was that I had and I would just find myself pacing around the house, and my family would just ask me what I was doing. I didn't want to tell them, I would just say I was thinking because it was a little embarrassing to say I was daydreaming. Then I found out what maladaptive daydreaming was. I still haven't told them anything but yeah music and movies trigger it more. This makes me feel better that I am not the only one. Thank you for covering this topic.

[@pumpkin1757]

Had no idea this existed before this video and Anthony is so brilliant in his questions to really showcase what these people are going through. Much love ♥️

[@triggeredweeb111]

I'm still embarrassed to talk about this to people, it really took off after my father passed when I was 10 and the first time I told someone I was in middle school. I could tell they thought it was weird. I didn't tell anyone again til I was in college to my therapist. I still feel like they brushed it off as harmless but it does affect me especially academically. The amount of times I would zone out into these worlds during tests, hw is a huge struggle and I only manage because I have to constantly work on it on and off til the deadline. So many things everyone has said in this video made me feel so valid. The comment section as well, I don't feel alone.

[@glensanjuan]

You're in good company in these online communities. 💛

[@annipsy2185]

I feel like maybe some meds could help? Like the woman at the end of this video said...so maybe that would be an option to try for you too. But dont be embarrassed cause i think many people would understand. because alot of people do a lighter version of it , so its understandable how it would feel and effect you if you had a more intense version of it...

[@kassbrookmusic]

Thanks Anthony for bringing light to things that some of us didn’t even know existed. You are a great interviewer and so respectful and articulate. You have truly blossomed since leaving Smosh.

[@deadlyjazzhands]

I thought I was honestly crazy or something until I found out what maladaptive daydreaming was. I figured it was just a kid imagination thing but as I got older and it didn't stop I got concerned and embarrassed since I didn't understand why I kept doing this, I would of never told anyone because I was just so afraid. But a couple a years or so ago I finally discovered what maladaptive daydreaming is and realised "hey that sounds identical to what I'm experiencing" I'm just relieved that this condition is getting more recognition.

[@thevampiregirl7529]

This is how it happened with me too.

[@nikkasatoru7102]

Yes it's so embarrassing and I feel so ashamed if people around me would see me smiling or silently laughing for no reason because of it. I wanna stop but idk how 😭 but I'm glad I'm not alone.

[@Ryanetherite]

as a maladaptive daydreamer myself i am so so happy to see more representation being shown for us :) thank you so much anthony you're a godsend

[@fsc4823]

i’ve literally only told one person in my life about this thing that i do and i barely scratched the surface. it’s beyond comforting just to hear others talk about it

[@livelaughForte]

Cheers to that doctor that looked at her family tree and linked her dreaming to OCD! What a great doctor!

[@anonymoustoes]

I haven’t made it all the way through the video yet, but they’re connected!? I have OCD and I’ve definitely had long episodes in my life that are similar to maladaptive daydreaming.

[@anubhavforall]

I am INFJ and I feel myself interwined in maladaptive daydreaming. It is sometimes quite beautiful with the things you could craft with your imagination and the fictional characters. You see the world with a third perspective. But at the same time it could be so consuming that your ideals might get disconnected with the real world. I want to translate this story that almost goes through in my mind, onto a novel or a movie because it's so fascinating in my head and the researches I have done to crack the curiosity, but it's so layered and vast I get overwhelmed. Maybe someday I would be able to take it out and discuss and learn with everyone.🌻

[@GirlDo3]

THANK YOU FOR THIS. I see the term maladaptive daydreaming thrown around and used as a buzzword on social media by a lot of teen/ young adult girls to describe regular non disruptive daydreaming. Imagining yourself in music videos when you're listen to music in the car or imagining scenarios before falling asleep is not maladaptive daydreaming it's just daydreaming and everyone does it.

[@JesseblueXai]

Yes and no. It can be a person with maladaptive daydreaming in control. But thats usually a thing for experienced ppl or ppl in therapy that overcame the negative aspects. I did it my whole live, i was laxing in bed and later did it while just sitting still, on very very hard days I did it while beeing at work while doing easy repetotove stuff that wouldnt interrupt my daydream, that completely possoble but I knew those days were actually dangerpus to my job and I would make a lot more mistakes while dreaming so I restricted myself to not go to that place in my head until I sat in the bus home. That was hatd sometimes but usually I was happy for a peroid of 2 hours before sleeping every night. Like the pation x women in the video said, the daydreams made me feel good, thats it. Whenever I felt the need the whole day, I new thats a rare peak and would change after a few days but I mamaged to stay in control for the most part.

[@envy.8112]

It makes me feel so happy and validated seeing how many people actually do this too. It started when I was really young after my mother passed away. I used to think that I was some kind of freak because no one else around me did this, but this video made me feel so much better.

[@fellith4295]

I'm so glad people are finally speaking about this and giving light to MD,people like me have had this since their childhoods and felt alone in their struggles. Also shout out to all maladaptive daydreamers daydreaming that they are talking to Anthony about their MD ✌

[@communist_oranges]

As a maladaptive daydreamer, it feels amazing to see people like me talking about this. People dont realise how intense maladaptive daydreaming can be. I remember having a daydream of one of my characters dying, when my sister came in I snapped out of it and realised I was crying, not like a few stray tears but real, loud, ugly crying. It's honestly a bit scary even to us how involved we can get in these daydreams.

[@nomia3364]

As someone that’s also a maladaptive daydreamer i truly appreciate the representation. I was non-officially diagnosed with MD while in rehab as a teenager . Since then I’ve been able to be more aware of this unhealthy coping mechanism. Being able to have a title to the struggle helps immensely & makes me not feel so alone

[@Mitsuna]

I did not even know this had a name, I've been doing this my whole life. The walking around in circles too. The story has progressed and developed since I was really young and many times have disrupted many things like school or work or even just making friends I always feel annoyed if I have to switch off the daydreaming and actually talk to people, I feel content enough with the characters and friends in my head which ultimately has ended up with not being able to make real in-person friends. This is really interesting and thank you for spreading awareness on this I did not even know that others had this.

[@los3r426]

Do you ever pretend the person your talking to is in your daydream and mix them together?

[@Mitsuna]

@@los3r426 Yes all the time! Its to the point where I struggle to remember whether what the person actually said was really said by them or if it was in my head and if I made it up as part of my daydream. Ever since watching this video and discovering what it is I am starting to notice just how badly it affects my day to day and I can't actually recall what really happened only what happened in my head

[@courtnie.carlisle08]

i’m a maladaptive daydreamer and it started since i was 6 or so and i’d rock back and forth and i still do just being in a daydream for hours and it has always been something i’ve been insecure about because i can’t go to sleepovers i only discovered maladaptive daydreaming last year so i’m glad anthony is sharing awareness :) but i developed it because of trauma i use it as a way to not listen to my parents fighting

[@meatball.9710]

I used to have something similar when I was younger and it felt great. I created and lived in whole worlds. I fought wars, built relationships, fell in love, lost people, and had huge adventures. It was like a drug and I've been chasing it ever since.

[@samantharose2540]

I'm so happy you did an episode on this. My sister and I are twins and we would tell each other about our maladaptive daydreams as kids. I remember getting so excited to go on long car rides cause I would just listen to music, stare out the window, and work on my story.