Maladaptive daydreaming
Maladaptive daydreaming or excessive daydreaming is a psychological concept first introduced by Eli Somer[1] to describe an extensive fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and/or interferes with academic, interpersonal, or vocational functioning. It might be related to childhood emotional neglect or abuse that motivate victims to divorce from the threatening world and from their material entity.[2]
Contents
Identified functions
Identified functions of maladaptive daydreaming included disengagement from stress and pain by mood enhancement and wish fulfillment fantasies; and companionship, intimacy, and soothing.[1]
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"All subjects claimed that an important function of their daydreaming was twofold: a disconnection from the pain of living and a magical transformation of misfortune into desirable experiences"
Symptoms
While there are many specific symptoms of a maladaptive daydreamer, someone suffering from this disorder will not necessarily suffer from all of them.
Often maladaptive daydreamers will have 'triggers' that set off their daydreams. Common triggers are books, movies, music, and even riding in a car. Maladaptive daydreamers also may have trouble getting out of bed or going to sleep, due to the want to continue daydreaming. Often times while maladaptive daydreamers are daydreaming they will whisper, talk, make facial expressions, or do some sort of repetitive movement.
Maladaptive daydreamers can spend hours simply daydreaming. They often have elaborate fantasies within their minds, often comparable to a complete novel or movie. Many have more than one fantasy in their mind, each with its own characters, setting, plots, etc. Maladaptive daydreamers may become emotionally attached to their characters as well, though they know the characters are not real.[3]
Recurrent themes
Recurrent themes may include:[1]
- Idealized self
- Violence
- Power and control
- Captivity
- Rescue and escape
- Sexual arousal
Media coverage
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"But most psychologists have never heard of maladaptive daydreaming, and it is not officially recognized as a disorder. Many scoff at the idea that a normal activity like fantasizing could cause such distress. So how can people who believe their daydreaming is out of control receive help? Is maladaptive daydreaming a syndrome in itself, or is it just one manifestation of another affliction? Where does it come from, and how can it be cured? Most of all, how can the syndrome become better known so excessive fantasizers don’t feel like I did, the only person in the world to spend as much time as possible in my imaginary world?"
"When Daydreaming Replaces Real Life" – The Atlantic, April 2015
Despite it not being an official recognized disorder or pathology, maladaptive daydreaming has received some attention from the media.[4][5][6]
See also
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depersonalization
- Derealization
- Dissociative disorder
- Fantasy prone personality
- Loneliness
- Video game addiction
- Hikikomori
References
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- ↑ "Maladaptive Daydreaming- What Is It?" -Medical Daily
- ↑ The Atlantic featured an article on Maladaptive Daydreaming. "When Daydreaming Replaces Real Life Should elaborate fantasies be considered a psychiatric disorder?" (April 2015)
- ↑ CBC Radio's The Current featured an episode on the subject called "Maladaptive daydreaming, a debilitating condition with no escape" (June 2015)
- ↑ Living in an Imaginary World. Scientific American (January 2014)
