Until now, I always thought of daydreaming as a universal phenomenon that lets us disconnect from our thoughts, feelings, surroundings and perception of time. Daydreams usually help me to briefly “escape” by imagining or picturing scenarios when I’m experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or life challenges.
According to the experts, daydreaming can often be a constructive opportunity for reflection. When it happens outside the realm of our responsibilities, daydreaming can be helpful. Its benefits can include an uplifted mood and heightened creativity.
But if the dreams become too persistent, it can signal as a problem for individuals.
Too much of anything is bad for you — or so the saying goes. But does this include intensive, indulgent over-daydreaming? Experts say “yes”. Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) a psychiatric disorder termed by Dr. Eli Somer, Professor emeritus of clinical psychology University of Haifa in Israel.
Dr. Somer’s initial patients were often survivors of childhood trauma who developed the capacity to become absorbed in their minds to get away from the pains of their upbringings.
Somer mentioned in a Youtube video that maladaptive daydreams are often so vivid and include such elaborate and fantastical storylines, often involving repetitive physical movement and exposure to evocative music.
He goes on to explain that “normal” daydreaming does not compromise reality and is not distressing — it is a gift to enjoy. It only becomes abnormal when it’s so enticing that patients prefer the daydreams over real life — often at the expense of their mental health.
Like alcohol and substance abuse, MD poses a threatening addictive quality. Excessive daydreamers uncontrollably crave reveries to the point that their emotional distress explodes and multiplies, damaging their productivity and interfering with their ability to function.
MD seriously harms one’s concentration and can disrupt their work, studies, social life and human interactions.
MD is sometimes dismissed by doctors as a non-pathological habit or misdiagnosed as psychotic hallucinations. Psychologists have also likened it symptoms with ADD, OCD, depression, disassociation and social anxiety. There’s currently no “nail-on-the-head” cure for MD, but counseling for similar conditions may be applied to treat maladaptive daydreamers. Some suggest avoiding triggers such as soothing music as well as being alone.
These daydreamers are often struck with confusion, especially when unconsciously acting out their trances in public.
While this mental compulsion may sound fascinating on the surface, it is no laughing matter for victims and their loved ones.
Fortunately, this dreamy disorder is on its way to becoming well known and victims may soon get the help they need and deserve.
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