Maladaptive Daydreaming: Diagnosis, Treatment & More

A Quick Guide

Maladaptive daydreaming is when you daydream too much and for too long, getting in the way of your daily life. It’s often a way to deal with stress or some type of trauma. In this article, we will explore maladaptive daydreaming, its diagnosis, treatment as well as some tips to help you deal with the issue.

Understanding Maladaptive Daydreaming

Maladaptive daydreaming is having trouble controlling the intensity and length of exaggerated fantasies, which get in the way of social interactions and other responsibilities. It is not an official disorder in the DSM 5. In fact, the term was first coined in 2002. And not much research is available on this topic.  To make a diagnosis, mental health professionals have to do clinical exams, and psychological tests, and also rule out other possible causes.

Who is more likely to experience Maladaptive Daydreaming?

This condition may frequently coexist with several other mental health conditions. While not inclusive, some common comorbid conditions include:

• People with ADHD may experience this condition. They may use it as a coping mechanism for difficulties they may have in sustained focus and attention.
• This condition is repeated and compulsive, which is similar to some aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), such as ritualistic behaviors.
• People who are depressed or hopeless may use maladaptive daydreaming as a coping strategy. Over-daydreaming, on the other hand, may make you feel alone and make your depressive symptoms worse.
• Individuals with anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety, may engage in daydreaming in unhealthy ways, as a way to escape stressful ideas or situations.
• Maladaptive daydreaming may be a coping strategy for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), giving them a way to escape into a more positive or manageable mental space.
• Neurodiversity characteristics may coexist with maladaptive daydreaming tendencies in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some people on the spectrum may daydream intensely and fully.
• People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may use maladaptive daydreaming as a way to deal with their strong feelings. This can lead to identity problems or emotional dysregulation.
• Dissociative identity disorder and depersonalization/derealization disorder are two other dissociative disorders that can cause problems with identity, memory, and awareness. Some of the symptoms of these disorders may be similar to those of maladaptive daydreaming.

Maldadptive Daydreaming Diagnosis

While it can be hard to diagnose maladaptive daydreaming, mental health professionals may be able to evaluate and treat the condition by looking at several factors.

Clinical Interview

These may help in gathering in-depth information about a person’s background, daily life activities, and the effects of daydreaming on their life. The therapist finds out how often, how intensely, and for how long the daydreaming incidents happen.

Psychological Tests

Certain psychological tests can help determine the severity of a person’s symptoms. These tests can help figure out the effect of maladaptive daydreaming on the person’s health and ability to work.

Identify Other Conditions

The therapist tries to rule out disorders like ADHD, depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive traits that could be causing the problem. Because excessive daydreaming is often linked to other mental health problems.

Behavior Observation

During the evaluation, the therapist may note the person’s behavior to see if they are doing any excessive movements or doing things that are usually connected with daydreaming. This information helps us understand how the condition shows up in the body.

Collateral Information

Family, friends, or other close people to the person can give helpful feedback on how daydreaming affects their interactions and daily life.

It is important to note that the definition of “maladaptive daydreaming” is still changing. And there isn’t yet a clear agreement among mental health professionals. As a result, the diagnostic process usually includes a close examination of the symptoms, ruling out other possible causes, and judging the total effect on the person’s life. Hence, to get a more accurate diagnosis and the right help, it’s important to talk to a mental health expert who has experience with such problems.

What are some treatment options?

Since this condition is not a recognized disorder on its own, so there are no particular treatment guidelines. However, a variety of therapy techniques may help those struggling with excessive daydreaming that interferes with their everyday lives. Here are some potential treatment options for maladaptive daydreaming:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy can be used to help people who are daydreaming too much recognize and change the thoughts and behaviors that are connected to their condition. Its goals are to help people learn how to deal with problems and handle themselves better.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation practices may help people become more aware of their thoughts. It may also help them stay in the present moment, which may make them less likely to excessively daydream.

Psychoeducation: One important part of treatment may be learning about maladaptive daydreaming, what might cause it, and how it affects daily life. Psychoeducation can give people the tools they need to better understand and deal with their situation.

Behavioral Interventions: It can be helpful to come up with specific behavioral interventions, such as making realistic goals, planning out daily routines, and finding ways to reduce the triggers for daydreaming episodes.

Support Groups: Joining a support group or an online community with people who are going through the same problems you are can help you feel understood and validated. Talking about your problems and how you deal with them can relieve stress.

Medication: In certain situations, doctors may prescribe drugs to treat co-occurring illnesses like depression or anxiety, which may be causing maladaptive daydreaming. However, medication is not usually the main focus when dealing with this particular problem.

Key Takeaway

Individuals who experience excessive daydreaming need to work closely with mental health workers, ideally those who are familiar with the difficulties that come with it. The person’s needs, how bad their symptoms are, or the possibility of any other mental health issues at the same time will determine the type of treatment the person gets.

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about Maladaptive daydreaming, which people may be more prone to it, how the condition may be diagnosed and what are some treatment options available for it.