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4 days ago11 min read

The MD Momentum: Groundbreaking Studies & New Discoveries

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the ICMDR,


It is with great pleasure that we present our latest newsletter, which showcases the remarkable momentum in maladaptive daydreaming (MD) research. The breadth and depth of studies featured in this issue reflect a truly exciting time in our field, as researchers across the globe contribute to our understanding of this complex phenomenon.


From master's theses exploring the psychological intricacies of MD to large-scale studies examining its intersection with neurodevelopmental conditions, the diversity of research approaches is particularly encouraging. We're seeing innovative methodological frameworks emerge, from case studies employing cognitive approaches to investigations into the relationship between MD and episodic memory. The international scope of this work—spanning France, Vietnam, Turkey, Portugal and beyond—demonstrates the growing global recognition of MD as a significant area of study.


Particularly noteworthy is the increasing sophistication of research questions being pursued. Whether examining the role of emotional dysregulation in neurodiverse populations or investigating the connections between gaming engagement and MD, researchers are pushing beyond basic phenomenology to explore complex interactions and mechanisms. The development of assessment tools in new languages further speaks to the field's maturation and expanding reach.


As we review these contributions, it becomes clear that we are witnessing the evolution of MD research from its pioneering days to an established and dynamic field of inquiry.



Published research papers



Layperson's Abstract

This study looked at how maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is connected to emotional struggles, the need to escape reality, and how people see themselves (self-esteem and internalized stigma) in three groups of adults: those with autism, ADHD, and both conditions (“AuDHD”). The study included 293 adults (139 with ADHD, 74 with autism, and 80 with both conditions). Participants filled out surveys about their ADHD and autism symptoms, emotional regulation, daydreaming, self-esteem, and feelings of stigma (how much they internalize negative judgments from others). The researchers looked at the connections between these factors, and compared the groups. They found that feelings of stigma, emotional struggles, escapism, and self-esteem were all linked to MD. People with ADHD had fewer issues with emotional control and social withdrawal. However, all three groups had similar levels of MD and no big differences in their experiences of stigma or impulse control problems. The AuDHD group had more ADHD symptoms than the autism-only group. For those with only ADHD or autism, ADHD symptoms and using daydreaming as an escape were strong predictors of higher MD.


In conclusion, while MD rates were similar across the groups, factors such as internalized stigma and self-esteem were important. This study sheds light on how emotional difficulties and self-perception relate to MD in neurodivergent individuals, and offers ideas for future research and potential clinical applications.

 


Layperson's Abstract

This study looked at how stress and "ghosting" (suddenly cutting off communication with someone) might affect two mental-health issues: excessive daydreaming that interferes with daily life, and a type of narcissism where people are very sensitive to criticism. The researchers surveyed 301 university students from Vietnam, asking about their experiences with stress, ghosting, daydreaming, and narcissism, as well as how much they tend to overthink (ruminate) and how aware they are of the present moment (mindfulness). They found that both stress and ghosting were linked to more problematic daydreaming and narcissism. Being more mindful seemed to reduce these negative effects for both issues. Overthinking also played a role, but only for narcissism. These findings suggest that teaching mindfulness skills might help people cope better with stress and ghosting, potentially reducing excessive daydreaming and narcissism. However, the study doesn't prove that these factors directly cause mental-health issues. More long-term studies are needed to understand these relationships better and to test whether mindfulness training helps.

 


Layperson's Abstract

Video games have become incredibly popular, with about 3.24 billion players worldwide in 2021. How people engage with video games can lead to different outcomes. Some people might experience stress or problems due to gaming, while others might pursue careers in esports (competitive video gaming). The researchers wanted to understand how gaming role models and the desire for fame influence these different ways of engaging with video games. They surveyed 803 gamers, mostly male, with an average age of about 25. They found that:

  1. Gamers who wanted to be famous were more likely to plan for careers in esports, especially if they strongly identified with gaming role models.

  2. The desire for fame was also linked to symptoms of gaming disorder (problematic gaming); this was explained by excessive daydreaming about gaming.

  3. Strongly identifying with gaming role models was connected to both planning esports careers and showing signs of gaming disorder.

These findings show that gaming role models can influence both positive career aspirations and potentially problematic gaming behaviors. This information could be useful for understanding and promoting healthy gaming habits.

 


Layperson's Abstract

Unlike typical daydreaming, maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is more immersive, harder to control, and causes distress or interferes with daily life. People with MD might fantasize about being idealized versions of themselves, often imagining scenarios involving companionship, romance, power or escape. While these fantasies can feel rewarding, they often repeat and become difficult to stop, affecting a person’s work or studies. This article describes a 24-year-old man with MD who participated in a treatment plan that focused on developing coping strategies, changing behaviors, rethinking negative thoughts, and preventing relapses. His symptoms were measured before and after treatment using the 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16). His score improved significantly, dropping from 66 to 32, indicating a substantial reduction in symptoms. The researchers conclude that MD causes emotional and practical challenges, but targeted therapy can effectively reduce symptoms.

 


Layperson's Abstract

This chapter looks at a new phenomenon called reality shifting, in which participants practice various techniques that seem to enable them to enter another reality temporarily or permanently. The author concludes that reality shifting is more than just a daydreaming trend, or a combination of imagination and fandom, as it is often portrayed in popular media and in the limited academic coverage of the practice so far.

 


Theses



Layperson's Abstract

Little research has been done on maladaptive daydreaming (MD) from a psychological perspective. This study investigated how people experience MD. Two young adults were interviewed, and each took a Rorschach test and kept a journal of their daydreams over six weeks. The study sought to understand the boundaries between their inner world (their thoughts and feelings) and the external world around them. It also explored how their daydreaming works. The results suggest that there might be a common type of person who experiences MD. Additionally, the study found themes related to attachment and brain function, which could open up new ways to think about MD. Group therapy could help those dealing with excessive daydreaming.

 


Layperson's Abstract

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a newly recognized mental-health issue where people spend excessive time in vivid, detailed daydreams. This can be distressing and interfere with daily life, making it different from normal mind wandering. People with MD often have other mental-health conditions too. The researchers wanted to understand whether MD affects memory. They asked 198 people, mostly young women, to complete surveys about daydreaming, mood, and memory tasks. The memory tasks involved learning word pairs and then recalling or recognizing the missing words later. The results showed that people who scored higher for MD tended to report more symptoms of depression. However, there was no clear link between MD and how well people did on the memory tasks. This research helps us understand MD better, as it's only recently been studied as a potential mental-health disorder.

 


Conference presentations



Layperson's Abstract

Researchers wanted to gather all the important information about maladaptive daydreaming (MD). MD is when people use daydreaming so much that it causes problems in their daily lives and becomes a harmful way of dealing with emotions. The researchers looked at 93 studies from 22 countries to learn how MD is defined, what the MD experience is like, and how MD relates to other mental-health issues. They found that most studies focused on women, with fewer looking at men or people of different gender identities. Many studies showed that people with MD often have other mental-health issues too. MD might be uniquely connected to various mental-health problems. A few studies suggest that mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with MD. The researchers point out that we need more long-term studies to understand better what causes MD and how it develops over time. They also emphasize that it is important for mental-health professionals to know about MD. This review summarizes what we know about MD so far, what we still need to learn, and how this information can help both researchers and mental-health professionals in the future.

 


Layperson’s abstract

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a mental-health issue where people use intense daydreaming as a way to cope with emotions, but it ends up causing problems in their lives. About 2.5% of people might have MD, with higher rates among young adults. The researchers wanted to make a Portuguese version of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) to help identify MD in young adults in Portugal. They tested their questionnaire with 300 university students. The researchers translated the MDS-16 into Portuguese and ensured it was easy to understand. They also checked whether it was accurate by comparing it with other mental-health surveys. After some adjustments, they found that the Portuguese version of the questionnaire worked well. They determined that a score above 40 on the questionnaire might indicate MD. About 25% of the students tested scored above this level. People who scored high for MD also tended to report more symptoms of depression and anxiety. This new Portuguese version of the MDS-16 can help mental-health professionals and researchers in Portugal to better identify and study maladaptive daydreaming in young adults.

 


Layperson’s abstract

In this workshop, I defined and described maladaptive daydreaming, presented findings on its impact on daily functioning, discussed underlying mechanisms, explored theoretical explanatory frameworks, introduced various assessment tools, described comorbidities, and presented evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

 


Paper presentation


Layperson's Abstract

Can excessive daydreaming be mistaken for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Some people spend hours lost in detailed fantasy worlds, a condition called maladaptive daydreaming (MD). This intense daydreaming can seriously disrupt their daily lives. While many people with MD also have ADHD, we wondered if these were actually separate conditions. To investigate this, we studied 83 adults diagnosed with ADHD. We checked how many of them showed signs of excessive daydreaming, and measured depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. The results showed that only about one in five people (20.5%) with ADHD also had maladaptive daydreaming. Those who had both conditions tended to be more depressed and lonely, with lower self-esteem, than those with just ADHD. This suggests that maladaptive daydreaming is a distinct condition, separate from ADHD. Sometimes, what looks like ADHD might actually be excessive daydreaming. This research can help doctors better understand the difference between normal daydreaming, ADHD, and mind wandering.

 


Virtual book club



The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) virtual book club recently held a 10-day online discussion of Chapter 34 in the book Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders: Past, present, future. To read the discussion, click here.

 

Book



Extreme Imagination: a guide to overcoming maladaptive daydreaming is the first comprehensive and compassionate self-help guide to overcoming maladaptive daydreaming written by a former maladaptive daydreamer for a lay audience. It is available from Amazon, Waterstones and other online retailers.


 


Newspaper Article



Summary

The article explores the phenomenon of maladaptive daydreaming (MD), a condition where individuals engage in prolonged and immersive daydreams that can interfere with their daily lives. The piece features personal accounts from Kyla and Ana, who describe their struggles with MD, particularly during stressful times such as the COVID-19 lockdown. Kyla found empowerment in her daydreaming, which helped her during her mental-health crisis, while Ana has been managing her daydreaming through mindfulness and journaling. Both women highlight the importance of naming their experiences, which helped reduce the shame associated with their daydreaming.

 

The article also discusses the compulsive aspect of MD, where individuals feel they have little control over their daydreaming, likening it to an addiction. It emphasizes that while daydreaming can be a source of comfort and creativity, it can also lead to significant disruptions in real life, as individuals may become so absorbed in their fantasies that they neglect their responsibilities and relationships.

 

Overall, the article sheds light on the complexities of MD, its emotional impact, and the ongoing struggle to find a balance between imagination and reality.

 

Afterword


We cannot help but feel optimistic about the future of maladaptive daydreaming (MD) research. The studies presented here demonstrate not only quantitative growth in research output but also qualitative advancement in our theoretical understanding and clinical approaches.


The emergence of diverse research themes—from self-hypnotic states to intentional transformative experiences, from cognitive approaches to validation studies—suggests we are building a rich, multifaceted understanding of MD. The involvement of early-career researchers through master's theses, alongside established scholars' contributions, ensures a vibrant pipeline of future investigation.


Perhaps most encouraging is the increasing attention to practical applications, with several studies offering insights into potential therapeutic approaches. The development and validation of assessment tools in multiple languages promises to expand our ability to identify and support individuals with MD across different cultural contexts.

As we look to the future, the momentum evident in this newsletter suggests we are entering an era of accelerated discovery. The collaborative spirit of our international community, combined with increasingly sophisticated research methodologies, positions us well to advance both our theoretical understanding and clinical applications in the field of MD.


Let us carry this energy forward as we continue to build bridges between research and practice, between different theoretical approaches, and, most importantly, between our growing understanding and the individuals we aim to help.

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