Difference Between Normal and Maladaptive Daydreaming
All our minds wander from time to time. In fact, it is estimated that between a quarter and half of our waking hours are spent daydreaming as our consciousness eludes what we are currently doing or experiencing to focus entirely on another topic.
Research shows that we are more likely to dream of pleasant things than unpleasant or neutral things, and suggests that this habit can positively affect our creativity, mood, and productivity. But there are people who experience much more intense mental wandering, much more frequent and longer than is considered “normal,” a pattern known as maladaptive daydreaming.
What is maladaptive daydreaming?
Maladaptive dreaming, as the name suggests, is a form of mind wandering that is intense, distracting, and interferes with our functioning . There are several symptoms common to those experiencing maladaptive daydreaming:
- Vivid, detailed experiences with characters and storylines
- Launched by real experiences and incentives
- A movement or speech that is part of a dream.
- Long duration (from minutes to hours)
- Desire to stay in the experience
- Difficulty with daily tasks, including problems concentrating and sleeping.
Although there are certain symptoms associated with this experience, maladaptive daydreaming is not an official diagnosis and is not included in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In fact, most of the research published on this issue comes from researchers at an Israeli group called The International Consortium for Maladaptive Daydreaming Research (ICMDR).
What causes maladaptive daydreaming?
The cause and mechanism of maladaptive dreams are unknown, but in some cases they may be associated with the experience of trauma in people and the associated development of the mechanism for overcoming difficulties.
“Maladaptive daydreaming is a form of escape, usually for people who have gone through loneliness, trauma and abuse – they create a complex inner world that they can go to when they are in distress,” says Sam Nabil, licensed professional consultant at Naya Clinics. … “So they are over-dreaming because they prefer their fantasies to real life.”
These intense dreams are often associated with themes of violence, power and control, captivity, sex, escape and escape. One study shows that people with maladaptive dreams also experience dissociation (disconnection from themselves), obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and negative emotions, along with anxiety and depression.
So why is this a problem?
So-called maladaptive daydreaming can sometimes seem enjoyable and therapeutic, but it can be anxiety-provoking when it interferes with school, work, relationships, and other daily activities. This is true of any formal diagnosis – functional impairment is key. That is, if you think this is a problem, it might be worth asking for support.
If you think you are experiencing maladaptive daydreaming, consider finding a therapist to help you navigate your symptoms (much easier said than done, as we know). Since maladaptive daydreaming is a relatively new concept with no “official” treatment, it may be difficult for you to find someone who specializes in it. But clinicians with experience with cognitive-behavioral therapy and / or mindfulness, or working with behavioral or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, may be appropriate.