I'm a little late to this post, but I just stumbled upon this subreddit today. My maladaptive daydreaming is the main reason I learned about AvPD because I was searching for ways to put an end to it! I started MD'ing in 6th grade (30 now) when all of my friends inexplicably dropped me and I truly felt the heavy feeling of loneliness for the first time ever. My MD revolves around an over idealized version of myself, exhibiting all of the traits of what I feel makes people socially successful: fame, athletic ability, alpha-personality, etc. and it's changes slightly depending on what life stage I'm in (ex: in college I daydreamed that I was the star of the women's lax team, and so on and so forth).
I'm getting exasperated with living inside of my head all the time, though. Sure, coming up through school, college, etc. it was less damaging, but as an adult, I'm finding it's really hindered ANY sort of progress I always just assumed would naturally take place (falling in love, climbing up the career ladder, having a family). I've always preferred my alone time, but now I just think that my fantasy world is creating these sinking feelings of loneliness and isolation. Every time I close my eyes, it's like I'm immediately thrust back into it, though, and I'm not exactly sure how to stop. It's really only when I'm alone. When I'm out and about, busy with something or other it never happens. Listening to music also really seems to fuel it, as well. IRL I am a registered dietitian and teach yoga and am working on growing a health and wellness business, so that has begun to consume the majority of my time and has given me some sort of purpose. But I think my daydream revolves around me being in a happy relationship, and this is something I've yet to encounter in reality; until I do (which I feel is not likely), my daydream will most likely continue forever :-/