What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?
Most people have experienced a daydream at least once in their lives. Daydreaming is the sensation of fantasizing about scenes or activities that are not immediately in a person’s surroundings. It is similar to dreaming, with the mind drifting far away from reality, though the dreamer is not asleep in this case. While typical daydreaming can be a healthy way to work through issues or frustrations in the mind, in certain situations it may become a bigger problem.
Maladaptive daydreaming is a condition that occurs when daydreaming moves into dangerous territory. This daydreaming often still is positive or produces happy feelings. Experts believe that those living with maladaptive daydreaming are using it as a coping mechanism to escape reality.
1. What Is Daydreaming?
Dreams are somewhat mysterious in nature. Though there are countless theories out there on why people dream, there is no concrete explanation for their purpose nor evidence to suggest all people dream in the same manner. Daydreams, similarly, can be hard to pin down. Scientists have studied the process enough to learn that daydreaming takes place in the part of the brain’s cortex that is also associated with states of rest or inaction. This means that the activity levels in this particular part of the brain are the highest at the point when the brain is otherwise inactive.
In other words, a daydream takes place when there is no specific task for the mind to focus on. During this interim period, the region of the cortex associated with inaction kicks into gear, causing the mind to wander and daydreams to form. While healthy daydreaming is thought to be connected to creativity and problem-solving, maladaptive daydreaming is somewhat different.
2. Excessive Daydreaming and Trauma
A maladaptive daydreamer is a person who disappears into the fantasies of the mind during periods when he or she should be engaged with the world. For example, someone who dreams constantly about success during high-pressure moments at work instead of getting a task done might be struggling with maladaptive daydreaming. A number of experts in the field of psychology believe that daydreaming in this manner is the result of a person’s trauma from an earlier stage of his or her development.
Usually, daydreaming can help the mind work through issues. For those who daydream to escape problems, however, the troubles are pushed away from the mind and dismissed through fantasy. Though it is not yet considered to be an actual disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there are a few different options available to those suffering from this condition.
3. Common Symptoms of Maladaptive Daydreaming
Due to the fact that this disorder has not yet been officially classified, there are an array of different symptoms that may or may not be a sign of a person with maladaptive daydreaming. The most obvious symptom is experiencing regular daydreams that are vivid and removed from reality. Though most people have daydreams that tell a story or are triggered by events in real life, someone who is a maladaptive daydreamer might not be able to control the length at which he or she disappears into fantasy. If someone has his or her “head in the clouds” all the time, it could be a sign of the condition.
Additional symptoms related to maladaptive daydreaming usually involve sleep or a lack of proper sleep. Insomnia can be common, which can lead to difficulty performing and completing routine tasks the following day.
4. Diagnosing Maladaptive Daydreaming
Maladaptive daydreaming can easily lead to a number of lasting problems in a person’s life. When someone is unable to focus on his or her immediate surroundings, it becomes a lot more difficult to complete basic tasks or succeed at a job. In most cases, a disorder such as this would require a diagnosis from a medical professional. However, due to the fact that maladaptive daydreaming is not considered a diagnosable condition, it can be useful to approach the problem from a different angle. Since visiting a doctor is not useful, you want to focus on analyzing the symptoms.
In a number of cases, the symptoms associated with maladaptive daydreaming can be an indication of another issue. From OCD to depression to schizophrenia, there are several diagnosable conditions connected to daydreaming. While doctors may not be able to help with maladaptive daydreaming, they may provide guidance for many other connected conditions.
5. Maladaptive Daydreaming and Schizophrenia
While the symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming may give you cause for concern, it is important to distinguish this issue from other conditions. For many years, doctors diagnosed those with the symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming as schizophrenic. This is largely because schizophrenia is characterized in part by a person slipping into a state of psychosis, which is a mental state where a person is removed from reality. The key difference is that schizophrenics are often unaware of the shift in reality, while daydreamers understand that they are “disappearing” into their own minds.
If you or someone you love is having a difficult time telling the difference between reality and fantasy, it can be a cause for concern. Even if it seems like maladaptive daydreaming, visiting with a medical professional can provide you with more in-depth insight on what the condition actually is and how to best treat it moving forward.
6. Maladaptive Daydreaming and Depression
In some cases, the collection of symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming are actually associated with another condition altogether. One of the more common conditions that can lead to escaping into fantasy is depression. Though short-term sadness is common for people of all ages, depression as a mental disorder is characterized by intense, persistent feelings of sadness or a lack of feelings altogether. Depression can take many forms and vary in severity from one person to another. There are many causes, ranging from genetics to environmental factors and traumatic or high-pressure situations like college exams.
Depression is a serious condition that can impact your life in many negative ways. If you are feeling intense sadness or a general sense of numbness and are disappearing into your mind to escape these factors, it could be an indication that you are using maladaptive daydreaming as a coping mechanism for depression.
7. Maladaptive Daydreaming and OCD
Another condition connected to maladaptive daydreaming is OCD. Generally characterized by the drive for perfectionism and neatness, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder can be a very demanding condition to live with. A person living with OCD may exhibit mood swings when a personal space is disorganized in even the slightest way. What’s more, someone with this condition might try to impose his or her sense of order upon friends and loved ones, putting a strain on relationships.
People with OCD may view the world as being too chaotic and imperfect, causing them to feel isolated or angry. When someone with this disorder is faced with messy reality, it is possible to disappear into a world of fantasy with maladaptive daydreaming.
8. Maladaptive Daydreaming and ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also referred to as ADHD, tends to be diagnosed frequently in children, but people of all ages can experience it. It is actually a very broad condition with a number of different symptoms and characterizations. Typically, those with ADHD have restless minds and struggle with focusing for long periods of time. Still, some people with this condition might find that they are able to escape into their own minds for a bit to find the peace that they are unable to achieve in reality.
If you find yourself struggling with your ability to focus and are daydreaming a lot, it might be a sign you are living with this condition. Visit with a doctor and learn more about your options moving forward.
9. Treating with Sleep
Since maladaptive daydreaming is not a diagnosable condition, treatment options may be limited for those experiencing symptoms. Still, there are a number of potential solutions to consider. Many experts believe the mind wanders more when a person is fatigued. If you are not getting a full night’s rest, it could be a contributing factor to how often you’re daydreaming. Making a concerted effort to get better sleep may be able to reduce the frequency at which you experience episodes of daydreaming.
One of the leading causes in disrupted sleep patterns is the blue light that many devices emit. This light “tricks” the mind into thinking it is experiencing sunlight, which produces the hormones that keep you alert and active. Limit screen time before bed to improve the odds of getting sleep.
10. Taking Note of Your Habits
You may also be able to control your maladaptive daydreaming episodes by actively focusing on moments when you feel your mind wander. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal or running list of the time, place, and mental state during a particular bout with daydreaming. This can help you uncover any patterns. For example, you might find you’re daydreaming during a particular hour of the workday. To disrupt this habit and avoid daydreaming, you can get up from your desk during this time and get some coffee or chat with a co-worker.
Maladaptive daydreaming can prevent a person from truly engaging with his or her surroundings. If you’re experiencing difficulty with focus and are constantly disappearing into fantasy, take time to speak with a professional. Learn more about how to handle the symptoms and put your mind in a better position.
