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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ISMD
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260522T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260522T193000
DTSTAMP:20260604T143840Z
CREATED:20260415T181328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T143840Z
UID:3532-1779474600-1779478200@maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com
SUMMARY:Managing maladaptive daydreaming symptoms
DESCRIPTION:Managing maladaptive daydreaming symptoms\nSelf-compassion and self-control practical workshop\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for an interactive workshop on self-compassion and self-control techniques designed to help you manage maladaptive daydreaming (MD) symptoms.\n\nIn this one-hour immersion\, Dr. Ramiro Catelan\, an MD expert and an evidence-based trained psychologist\, will provide you with several practical simple exercises to help you gain control over MD symptoms and foster your personal strategies to deal with this challenge.\n\nDiscover experiential techniques\, engage in thoughtful discussions\, and learn useful tools to enhance your well-being and harness your imagination more effectively.\n\nLet’s embark on this journey to better mental health together!\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n \nMeet the Speakers:\nRamiro Figueiredo Catelan is a Brazilian autistic and gifted clinical psychologist with extensive experience in evidence-based psychological interventions. He is a board-certified cognitive therapist by the Brazilian Federation of Cognitive Therapies (FBTC). He specializes in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder\, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder\, giftedness\, maladaptive daydreaming\, obsessive-compulsive disorder\, and borderline personality disorder at his private office. Ramiro holds a PhD in Psychology with a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biochemistry. \nHe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)\, where he leads the Center for Maladaptive Daydreaming and Emotion Dysregulation Research. He collaborates as a researcher with the Phoenix International Research Group and the International Consortium for Maladaptive Daydreaming Research (ICDMR). He leads Sínteses\, an online educational company aimed at training psychologists and psychiatrists in evidence-based practice. Trained in multiple empirically supported treatments\, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)\, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)\, behavioral activation (BA)\, and exposure therapy (ET)\, Ramiro integrates these approaches into his clinical practice. His work often addresses minority stress and neurodiversity issues\, underscoring his commitment to inclusive and affirmative care. His research interests encompass maladaptive daydreaming\, emotion dysregulation\, and the psychological dimensions of giftedness. \nHe oversees international community affairs as the Head of Diversity\, Equity\, and Inclusion for the International Society for Maladaptive Daydreaming (ISMD). He is also a Founding Member and previously served as the First Treasurer for the Brazilian Association for Evidence-Based Psychology (ABPBE). In addition to his clinical and research roles\, Ramiro is an active lecturer and trainer\, teaching neuro-affirmative healthcare and evidence-based psychological treatment. \nJayne Bigelsen is an advocate who has spent over twenty-five years working in social justice and public policy in New York and now works on behalf of young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.  She has significant experience in communications\, fundraising\, grant management\, and legislative advocacy. Additionally\, Jayne struggled with Maladaptive Daydreaming from early childhood until the age of 25. Jayne has co-published three peer-reviewed journal articles on MD with Dr. Eli Somer and Dr. Cynthia Schupak.  She spoke of her experience regarding MD in this article in the Atlantic.com \n  \n\n\nShare this event!\nScreenshot this QR code and share it everywhere. \n  \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIDEO CALL LINK \nYou can add this event to your calendar using the button below.\nThe event will automatically appear in your local time zone.
URL:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/event/managing-maladaptive-daydreaming-symptoms/
LOCATION:Online Meeting Link: Managing maladaptive daydreaming symptoms
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260528T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260528T180000
DTSTAMP:20260607T150445Z
CREATED:20260515T165054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260607T150445Z
UID:3767-1779987600-1779991200@maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com
SUMMARY:Lost in Your Mind: Understanding Maladaptive Daydreaming and Reclaiming Your Time
DESCRIPTION:ISMD x xTiles: A Global Partnership for Mental Health Awareness\nWe are thrilled to announce an official partnership between ISMD and xTiles. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for our association: xTiles has recognized the profound impact of Maladaptive Daydreaming and has invited us to share our expertise with their global community. \nBy providing a platform to discuss MD\, xTiles is demonstrating a deep commitment to neurodiversity and mental health. This webinar is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between productivity tools and the specific needs of our community\, showing that with the right support and technology\, reclaiming control of your time is possible. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou sit down to work\, but hours slip by as your mind drifts elsewhere.\n​For many\, this is more than a distraction—it’s Maladaptive Daydreaming: an intense urge to daydream that consumes hours and leaves you feeling stuck. Most people don’t know it has a name. \n​Join our live session with Valeria Franco\, founder and advocate\, as she shares her story of living with and overcoming Maladaptive Daydreaming. \n​ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n​We’ll discuss: \n\n\n​What Maladaptive Daydreaming is and how to spot it \n\n\n​Its overlap with ADHD\, anxiety\, and neurodivergence \n\n\n​Why willpower isn’t enough—and what helps \n\n\n​How Valeria uses xTiles to manage her time and projects \n\n\n​Practical tools for reclaiming your time \n\n\n​This webinar is for anyone who wants to regain control of their mind. \n​About Valeria Franco: Valeria is an Italian marketing professional\, mental health advocate\, and founder of organizations supporting people with Maladaptive Daydreaming. She works closely with experts in the field. \nBook your Seat \n\n\n \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou can add this event to your calendar using the button below. \nPlease note that the scheduled time is set in UTC. \nThe event will automatically appear in your local time zone once added to your calendar.
URL:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/event/lost-in-your-mind-understanding-maladaptive-daydreaming-and-reclaiming-your-time/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260729T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260729T170000
DTSTAMP:20260806T191428Z
CREATED:20260623T094852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T191428Z
UID:3902-1785340800-1785344400@maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com
SUMMARY:Book Discussion: Extreme Imagination
DESCRIPTION:Book Discussion: Extreme Imagination\nKyla Borcherds shares the four steps that helped her heal from maladaptive daydreaming\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExtreme Imagination was originally published in October 2024 and was enthusiastically welcomed by the maladaptive daydreaming community. Over the following year\, the book helped maladaptive daydreamers understand and manage their condition. Sadly\, it was unavailable for some time\, but it is about to be republished. \nTo celebrate the relaunch of Extreme Imagination\, Kyla Borcherds joins us to share her personal story of overcoming both maladaptive daydreaming and depression\, and how writing Extreme Imagination was an important part of her healing journey. She will also walk through the four-step plan outlined in the book\, which she believes can help anyone with maladaptive daydreaming cultivate a healthier relationship with their imagination. \nThe session will open with a presentation by Kyla\, followed by a live Question & Answer session. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the Speaker:\nKyla Borcherds was 46 years old when she discovered that the compulsive story-weaving she had experienced all her life had a name: maladaptive daydreaming. As she learned more about the condition\, she shared what she was learning on her blog\, The Daydream Place\, which ultimately became the inspiration for Extreme Imagination. Kyla volunteers for the ISMD as one of the editors of Dreamweaver Narratives and is a moderator of the r/MaladaptiveDreaming subreddit. She lives in Birmingham\, UK\, with her husband\, children\, and a few very special fictional characters. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIDEO CALL LINK \n  \nYou can add this event to your calendar using the button below.\nThe event will automatically appear in your local time zone.
URL:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/event/book-discussion-extreme-imagination/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/books-7-e1782208067129.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260824T153000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260824T163000
DTSTAMP:20260823T141254Z
CREATED:20260809T125423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T141254Z
UID:4130-1787585400-1787589000@maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com
SUMMARY:Daydream to Canvas: Creative Expression in Maladaptive Daydreaming
DESCRIPTION:Daydream to Canvas\nCreative Expression in Maladaptive Daydreaming\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you live with maladaptive daydreaming\, you already know how vivid your mind is. You build whole worlds and complex stories in your head. But when you try to turn them into real-life art\, like writing\, drawing\, scrapbooking\, something gets lost. What you make on paper never matches what you saw inside. That gap is frustrating\, and it makes a lot of people give up on making things entirely. \nWe are holding a simple one-hour workshop to tackle this issue. \nThis session is not about technical skill\, and it is not about making something perfect. It has one main goal: to help you understand your brain so you can get your thoughts out of your head without overthinking. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat we will cover\n\n\n\n\nThe Science of Creativity\nWe will dive into what creativity actually is\, what happens in the brain when you create\, and how maladaptive daydreaming changes this process. \nRemoving Creative Blocks\nWe will talk about why bringing your daydreams into the real world feels so hard\, and how you can overcome these obstacles. \nA Quick Art Exercise\nA simple prompt to help you map out one piece of your inner world using words\, sketches\, or collage. \nThe Italy Exhibition\nWe have an exhibition in Italy made specifically for daydreamers. We will share how you can submit your work and show your world to others. \nOpen Chat\nA casual space at the end to ask questions and connect with others in the community. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis workshop connects to something bigger.\nMaladaptive Daydreaming Italia and the University of Padua are hosting “The Shapes of Maladaptive Daydreaming” — a first-of-its-kind exhibition at the University of Padua this October. It is open to all daydreamers who want to share their creative work: drawings\, paintings\, writing\, and more. \nDuring this workshop\, we will walk you through exactly how to take part. Learn more about the exhibition → \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the Speakers:\nSaumya Jaiswal has a background in clinical psychology and works as a counselor\, but her real perspective comes from living through the same mind loop. Having spent years navigating maladaptive daydreaming\, she went on a personal journey to untangle her brain\, overcome MD\, and bring her true creativity back to life. Today\, she combines clinical knowledge with lived experience as a mindset coach\, guiding others to move past internal blocks\, understand how their minds work\, and turn their vivid inner worlds into real\, physical creation. \n  \nValeria Franco is the Vice President\, Treasurer\, and head of Communications at ISMD. Valeria founded the first non-profit association for Maladaptive Daydreaming in Italy. A former MDer herself\, she is committed to spreading proper information about MD\, leading Italian and international online communities since 2016. After a Master’s degree from the University of Padua in Cultural Tourism Management\, she received a Counseling Diploma in order to provide better support for people in her communities. She is an art communicator and works as a marketing and communication freelancer\, specialising in the art and non-profit field. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJOIN THE WORKSHOP \n  \nYou can add this event to your calendar using the button below.\nThe event will automatically appear in your local time zone. \nVIDEOCALL LINK
URL:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/event/daydream-to-canvas-creative-expression-in-maladaptive-daydreaming/
LOCATION:Online Meet Link
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261016
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261024
DTSTAMP:20260814T171106Z
CREATED:20260806T190511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T171106Z
UID:4119-1792108800-1792799999@maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com
SUMMARY:Share your artwork! Exhibition at the University of Padua
DESCRIPTION:“The Shapes of Maladaptive Daydreaming”\nA maladaptive daydreaming live event will take place in Autumn in Italy:\nTell us about your experience with Maladaptive Daydreaming: write about it\, paint it\, or draw it.\nOctober 16–23\, 2026\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn exhibition dedicated to the works of people who live with maladaptive daydreaming: this is the exceptional event that will be held at the University of Psychology of Padua\, Italy! \nIt’s not an art exhibition in the strict sense\, but rather an exhibition of creativity. What does that mean? It means that no particular artistic “quality” is required—only the expression of your inner world and your relationship with maladaptive daydreaming. \nThe exhibition opens on October 16\, 2026\, and will remain open for two weeks\, free of charge. Send us your artwork and take part in this wonderful awareness initiative! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n  \n\n\nDownload and share our poster with the QR code! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe University of Padua\, which has worked with the Italian Association Maladaptive Daydreaming Italia (MD Italia) in the past\, has decided to support an event to raise awareness on Maladaptive Daydreaming. \nWho’s behind the project?\nThe initiative is promoted by Valeria Franco (Vice President of  the International Society for Maladaptive Daydreaming and Vice President of MD Italia) and Sara Spisto (Vice President MD Italia) in partnership with Prof. Salcuni and Dr. Elisa Mancinelli of the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology (DPSS) at the University of Padua. \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nWhy is it so important?\n“For the first time in history\, we are organizing an event of this kind: we have held meetings and conferences before\, but never an exhibition. The financial and logistical support provided by the Department of Psychology\, Social Sciences and Cognitive Sciences (DPSS) at the prestigious University of Padua — which boasts one of the largest psychology departments in Italy — lends credibility to the initiative\, offering a concrete opportunity to promote understanding and raise awareness. \n“In a world where people still write to us saying that mental health professionals don’t believe them when they talk about Maladaptive Daydreaming\, having the University of Padua on our side is extremely important\,” says Valeria Franco. \n\n\n\n\nA Deliberate Choice: An Exhibition\nThe event is not a symposium or a conference\, but rather an exhibition of artistic and creative works\, which we anticipate will include painting\, drawing\, photography\, and poetry. \nThe primary objective of this event is not to provide a comprehensive overview of maladaptive daydreaming\, but rather to raise awareness of its existence. \nAs Valeria Franco asserts\, “A concerted focus on the concept of ‘Awareness’ is imperative\, as individuals must be cognizant of its existence for them to be able to acquire further knowledge on the subject.” \nThe idea is that the exhibition is like a seed. We expect to see a lot of future mental health professionals\, along with other professionals and interested members of the public at the exhibition. This will create the perfect conditions for the exhibition to take root and grow in the future. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSubmit your artwork! Here’s how to do it.\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWork specifications\nFixed size: A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) or 35 x 50 cm cardstock \nMaximum weight: 300 g \nYou can submit artwork like drawings\, paintings\, collages\, photographs\, and poetry. \n*If you want to use a technique that isn’t listed here\, please contact us to check that it’s OK.\n**You must use our templates for poetry. \nRegistration and participation\n\nRegister online to give us your details and confirm that you have read and agree to the rules.\nAttach the identification tag to the back of your artwork.\nYou may submit up to three works\, using different techniques if you wish.\nEntries should be submitted to the following address by 21 September 2026 – address will be provided soon! In the meantime\, start creating and subscribe!\nThe artist is responsible for any printing and shipping costs.\nFrames are not permitted. If you wish\, you may create a paper mount\, provided it does not exceed the maximum dimensions.\nPick-up: Collection will only be possible in person within one week of the exhibition closing. Any works not collected within this timeframe will be considered donated.\n\nDisclaimer: The decision regarding the exhibition of works is at the sole discretion of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Italia Association. This decision may depend on various factors\, such as the number of submissions received\, how relevant the work is to the theme\, and its suitability (works may be excluded if they are deemed offensive\, in accordance with the principles set out in our bylaws). \n  \nLinks and downloads\nRegistration and Rules \nPoetry Template on Canva (create a copy; do not edit this file).\nPoetry Template in Word.\nPrintable Label in Word. \nAll documents shared Drive \n\nPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Birth DateUpload the file "Rules and Waiver" signed *\n	\n		\n			\n		\n\n		\n							Drag & Drop Files\, 				Choose Files to Upload\n					\n\n			\n\n\n\nI agree to receive email communications from ISMD *I agree		\n			the from email\n			\n		\n		Caption \nThe caption will be displayed alongside your artwork. Please ensure you complete this section correctly\, as we will print it without making any corrections. \nIf you are submitting more than one piece of artwork\, please provide a separate caption for each one. \nArtwork 1Artwork 2Artwork 3Submit
URL:https://maladaptivedaydreamingsociety.com/event/share-your-artwork-exhibition-at-the-university-of-padua/
LOCATION:University of Padua\, Via Venezia 8\, Padova\, PD\, 35020\, Italy
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Updates,Webinars
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