Daydreaming and bipolar disorder?

I have done it excessively since childhood. my fantasies have changed over the years..from mythical and imaginary friends when young to celebrities in my teens to creating a Tulpa based on my mum when she died so I could keep her memory alive.

I did have a period of life when I was just too busy! ..uni/work etc and didn't get much alone time and I found I ended up with depression. When I restarted 'fantasising' on a regular basis again for hours per day the depression lifted.

I was diagnosed with Atypical Autism years ago (pre-internet) and I don't think much was known about about it in girls particularly higher functioning(ie no additional severe learning difficulties on top). Now more autism specialists know about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) I think I would be diagnosed with PDA Autism due to my enjoyment of 'living in fantasy' and using it as an avoidance strategy.


There are studies showing a link between MD and dissociative disorders and other conditions such as Autism, ADHD. OCD etc


MD and DID study

Psychiatry Online

Autism and MD

INSAR 2020 Virtual Meeting

I can relate...

Thanks for sharing about your experience, @InkyTinks! The research articles are also interesting.

I'm sure that mine had been a form of avoidance coping strategy. However, over time my maladaptive daydreaming truly showed as maladaptive; affecting my life negatively.

I was also a heavy childhood daydreamer, but not a maladaptive one. It's odd how nowadays (some years after my main maladaptive daydreaming period) I daydream very little. Perhaps my stability and ability to practice mindfulness and grounding techniques are why. It's a different life. I experience life differently.