What is Maladaptive Daydreaming?
There’s still a lot to be learned about maladaptive daydreaming (MD). It’s a term that was virtually unknown until 2002, when Israeli Professor of Clinical Psychology Eli Somer first introduced the concept to describe a time-consuming absorption in fantasy that interferes with normal functioning.
Those with the condition report spending hours each day engaged in intense, vivid, and often complex daydreams in which they build an alternative reality for themselves. They may possess traits such as beauty or self-confidence in their fantasy, which they might not have in truth. They may be living a celebrity lifestyle in exotic locations, or running a multi-million-pound business empire. They may also experience strong, emotional attachments to the characters in their fantasy; perhaps enjoying for the first time, the love and respect that has so far been denied them in the real world.
MD is fundamentally a strategy for disconnecting from reality. It’s a defence mechanism. An alternative reality that the person can escape to, triggered by real events they can’t cope with. It’s not until their need for it affects their ability to complete normal daily activities that they realise it’s become a behavioural addiction; hence the term ‘maladaptive’. Even though maladaptive daydreamers know that the world they’ve created in their minds isn’t real, it can be as crippling as any addiction; negatively affecting relationships, finances, work, and even personal hygiene.
Who is at risk of developing MD?
So far, studies have indicated that a significant number of individuals with MD are survivors of child abuse, neglect, or trauma. MD has also been identified as having comorbidity with a number of other recognised mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and dissociative disorders.
What is the evidence?
Despite the extensive research into the condition published by Professor Somer and others, MD has not yet been included in the main system of diagnostic classification which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
So, for those suffering with the condition, this absence of recognition means that medical help may be hard to find. Outside of the doctor’s office however, the situation is very different. Professor Somer’s research has inspired blogs, support groups, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, and the ‘Wild Minds Network’ – a support website dedicated to MD.
How can MD be treated?
Professor Somer has identified several treatment options:
Motivational Interviewing: A client-centred counselling style designed to encourage people to explore reasons for modifying their behaviour based on their own insight and experience. Working collaboratively with their practitioner, the maladaptive daydreamer is encouraged to strengthen their motivation and commitment to change.
Contingency Management: A type of behavioural therapy in which individuals are rewarded for evidence of positive behavioural change; for example, substance abuse treatment centres may provide food vouchers to clients in exchange for their drug-negative urine specimens. This principle can also be used effectively in the treatment of MD; for example, by allowing sufferers to daydream for an hour as a reward for completing normal daily activities such as taking a shower or cooking a meal.
Self-monitoring: A practical cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tool, self-monitoring is designed to help clients to better understand and identify the links between their thoughts, emotions, and behavioural responses by recording their behaviour using a journal, workbook, or smartphone application.
Mindfulness: Incorporating mindfulness practices into daily life can help to control MD. Having the ability to live in the moment, using all of their senses, can prevent maladaptive daydreamers from drifting into their fantasy world.
Psychotherapy: Working with a therapist to explore the underlying issues that may have triggered MD; learning how to heal themselves so that the need for MD gradually fades.
Professor Eli Somer continues with his research and can be found on social media. Here is a recent video that provides further information and insight into his findings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ZXH1c87AU
Useful links:
The International Consortium for Maladaptive Daydreaming Research: https://daydreamresearch.wixsite.com/md-research
Therapist insight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVqT5RxAb3E
Community forum: https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/
Thank you for reading this blog post. If you have any thoughts to share, or ideas for future posts, please do let me know. I would love to hear from you.