Maladaptive Daydreaming

man sitting in cafe staring out window

Daydreaming is common human behavior. It’s normal for your mind to wander during a boring presentation or to help you plan for a future event. It is also not usual for people to use daydreams to cope with distress 1It becomes a problem when you’re doing it so frequently that it affects your quality of life. 

What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a newly recognized mental health condition caused by excessive daydreaming that negatively impacts functioning 1. People with MD have complex and vivid fantasies that are so engaging that they neglect their real-life responsibilities and relationships. As a result, these fantasies can hinder job performance, social interactions, interpersonal relationships 2

What Happens When People Have these Daydreams?

People experience their daydreams as a complex and vivid inner world with several characters. Sometimes these characters are an extension of themselves or based on people they know 2

What Causes the Daydreams?

People have these daydreams for several reasons. Some people maladaptively daydream as a way to escape traumatic experiences or depressing or anxiety-inducing thoughts. For instance, research suggests that feelings of childhood neglect, self-esteem issues, social anxieties, or highly traumatic events can lead to the development of MD 1.

People with MD can have psychological and mental health problems, like anxiety and depression. People can also develop depression because of the shame, guilt, or distress of these fantasies 3.

In other instances, music can trigger MD. Some people may also have urges to carry out repetitive or stereotypical movements to act out their inner fantasies. 

What Kind of Condition Is MD?

Experts believe that MD could belong to one of four categories 1.

  • Disassociation – People create an inner fantasy world
  • Disturbance of attention – People with MD can have trouble controlling or limiting their daydreams.
  • Compulsive – People with MD can have irresistible urges to immerse themselves in their inner world as soon as they wake up or disrupt activities to continue. 
  • Addictive/Behavioral – For some people, MD is so rewarding that they have a deep yearning for it. 

Research shows that many people with MD are highly disassociative. But, this does not mean they are the same. People with MD know their inner world is a fantasy. On the other hand, people with disassociative disorders do not. They often experience their inner selves as real but separate people 3.

Can People Stop MD?

People with MD may want to stop but have trouble doing so because of the addictive or compulsive nature of the condition. As a result, MD tends to cause distress in people. They may have trouble controlling their urge to daydream, daydream so frequently that it interferes with their relationships and plans, or feel shame or exhausted about hiding their daydreams from others 1.  

How Is MD Diagnosed?

MD is a relatively new mental health condition. Thus, some healthcare practitioners may be less familiar than others. Scales and interviews guide diagnosing MD. 

There is a lot that experts still do not know about maladaptive daydreaming. However, experts seem to agree that it is a mental health condition that, if uncontrolled, has detrimental effects on work, personal, and social lives. Seek professional attention if you notice more frequent daydreams that hinder your performance in any area of your life. 

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