Maladaptive daydreaming Measures
Important notice
* If you are a researcher or a clinician feel free to use the tools on this page free of charge. Our only expectation is that you show us similar courtesy by sharing your research report with us. Below you will find the scale in many other languages. If you wish to translate the scale into a language not represented below, please contact us for translation instructions.
* If you suspect that you might have maladaptive daydreaming please utilize the resources on this page for your personal use. We will not provide feedback on these scores and will not use them in research. The MDS-16 score provides an indication of suspected maladaptive daydreaming and should not be considered a diagnostic tool.
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The 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16)
This 16-item scale is the primary MD measure rated on a 10-point Likert scale. Scores may range from 0 to 100. The MDS-16 total score is the average of its items. A mean score of 40 or higher indicates suspected clinical-level MD. In 2023 APA's PsychNet added the original MDS and the MDS-16 to its database.
The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale – Short form (MD-SF5)
The MD-SF5 is a shortened version of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale. It includes five items rated on a 10-point Likert scale. For each item, scores may range from 0 to 100. The MD-SF5 total score is the average of its items.
The Daydreaming Characteristics Questionnaire (DCQ)
The Daydreaming Characteristics Questionnaire (DCQ) is a self-report scale designed to measure immersive daydreaming (IDD), including the vividness, narrative structure, emotional valence, repetitiveness, and realism of fantasies, to distinguish maladaptive daydreaming from ADHD-related symptoms.
Reference
Theodor-Katz, N., & Soffer-Dudek, N. (2025a). Differential diagnosis between maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD: Immersive daydreaming is not simply inattention. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 25(3), 100616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100616
Theodor-Katz, N., & Soffer-Dudek, N. (2025b). Where Is My Mind? The Daydreaming Characteristics Questionnaire, a New Tool to Differentiate Absorptive Daydreaming From Mind-Wandering. Journal of Attention Disorders, 29(7), 515–528. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547251319081
The Structured Clinical Interview for Maladaptive Daydreaming (SCIMD)
The SCID-MD is a structured clinical interview, performed by a qualified professional, in order to detect active symptoms and diagnose the existence of maladaptive daydreaming. It has 4 sections and 14 diagnosis questions.
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Children's Version
The Structured Clinical Interview for Maladaptive Daydreaming have a children's version (SCIMD-C).
Available in the English language
Proposed diagnostic Criteria for Maladaptive Daydreaming
This is a DSM-style format of the suggested criteria for the diagnosis of maladaptive daydreaming.
Reference
Somer, E., Soffer-Dudek, N., Ross, C. A., & Halpern, N. (2017). Maladaptive daydreaming: Proposed diagnostic criteria and their assessment with a structured clinical interview. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 4(2), 176-189. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cns0000114
The Childhood Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (C-MDS)
The C-MDS is a 23-item questionnaire to detect active symptoms and diagnose the existence of potential maladaptive daydreaming in childhood. 21 of the questionnaire items are on a 5-point Likert scale. Scores may range from 1 to 5. Additional 2 items (#22-23) are open-question.
Daydreaming Contents and Functions Checklist (DCFC)
The DCFC is a 14-item yes/no questionnaire regarding the contents and functions of an individual's daydreaming.