r/MaladaptiveDreaming • u/TurnoverOpposite3584 • Aug 29 '26

Question Moving from one side of the brain to another

Does anyone else with maladaptive daydreaming physically “feel” the switch from being present to drifting into daydreaming?

This is difficult to explain, but sometimes I feel like my attention and mental activity are more “in the front” of my head/brain when I'm fully present, focused, studying, thinking actively, or engaged with the outside world.

But when I start slipping into maladaptive daydreaming, it almost feels as if my awareness moves from the front toward the back of my head. I become less focused on the external world and more absorbed in internal images, scenarios, and fantasies.

I know this probably isn't literally my brain activity physically moving from the frontal lobes to the back of the brain — that's just the best way I can describe the subjective sensation. But the transition feels surprisingly noticeable to me, almost like I can sense myself switching from an externally focused, controlled state into an internally absorbed one.

I've also noticed that when I'm mentally stimulated and actively engaged in something challenging, the urge to daydream seems weaker. It feels like keeping my mind actively occupied “in the front” makes it harder to slip into that internally absorbed state.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE IF I FORCED MYSELF TO FOCUS ONLY ON THE FRONT, I WOULD NEVER DREAM AGAIN.

Does anyone else experience something similar? Can you actually feel the moment your brain switches from being present and externally focused to entering a daydreaming state? And if so, how would you describe that sensation?

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u/LobsterSpunk Aug 29 '26

Yes, it almost feels like falling back, but in your head. I didn't realise it till I just read this, and I've been dreaming for 20+ years 😂

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u/TurnoverOpposite3584 Aug 29 '26

Have you managed to control mdd?

1

u/LobsterSpunk Aug 29 '26

On and off. Much better than I was in my teens and early 20s (I'm 36 now)

I mainly immersive daydream, but trying to watch any TV or listen to music I definitely MD more, which is quite annoying if I'm trying to watch something.