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  • ICMDR team

ICMDR September Newsletter


Our young research field got a little richer in the past month with the publication of several new studies.

· Middle East Current Psychiatry published a study by Moez Bashir from the University of Khartoum in Sudan titled “Prevalence of maladaptive daydreaming among medical students at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, in 2020–2021”. Click here for the abstract.


· Current Psychology published a study led by Alexandra Sándor from the University of Debrecen, Hungary titled “Childhood traumatization and dissociative experiences among maladaptive and normal daydreamers in a Hungarian sample”. Here is a link to the paper.


· Personality and Individual Differences just published a research study led by Reut Brenner titled “Personality Traits and Maladaptive Daydreaming: Fantasy Functions and Themes in a Multi-Country Sample”. Click here for a link to the study. This paper caught the attention of science writer Mark Travers who published an interview with two of the authors of this paper (see here).

· Dr. Travers also published a story about our latest paper in Forbes, the prestigious business magazine. The article titled “Vivid Daydreams Provide A

Window Into One’s Personality, Suggests A New Studycan be accessed here.


· Speaking of quality exposure, The documentary The Daydreamers by director, Thomas Willem Renckens aired on September 7th on a Dutch public television network. Dovetailing this television screening, the Dutch center-left daily De Volkskrant, covered the film and the persons involved in it in a story by Evelien van Veen titled “Dagdromen om niet te hoeven leven” (Daydreaming to avoid living).


· Meanwhile, The Daydreamers continues to gain recognition. Most recently it won First Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in the 'Best Short Documentary category.



At the same festival, Thomas Renckens, a member of our group, won the First Prize in the 'Directorial Discovery' award category. We are very proud of you, Thomas!







· Born in 1940s Brooklyn to a father prone to rages and an emotionally erratic mother, Vivian Conan grew up in two different worlds: Outside and Inside. Outside, she had friends, excelled in school, and was close to her cousins and brother.

Inside, she saw faces that weren't hers in her bedroom mirror and was surrounded by an invisible Atmosphere that bathed her in the love and understanding she craved. Moving between these worlds enabled Vivian to survive her childhood but limited her ability to live fully as an adult. To others, her life seemed rich with work, friends, music, and boyfriends. But her mind and soul were filled with chaos and pain. Neither she nor her therapists could figure out why.Losing the Atmosphere is Vivian Conan's recently published riveting account of her journey toward self-understanding and wholeness; her encounters with a string of more and less helpful therapists; and her unconventional relationship with the therapist who was finally able to guide her through the courageous, messy work healing required. The memoir is available on Amazon.


· “¿Crear situaciones imaginarias antes de dormir es un trastorno? Esto dicen los expertos” Mexican journalist Dalia Rangel Galindo published a report on MD in Spanish titled: Is creating imaginary situations before sleeping a disorder? This is what the experts say”.


· The health and wellness website verywellhealth.com featured an MD in a story by Dr. Elizabeth Yuko titled “What is maladaptive daydreaming: Being stuck in a perpetual daydream”. Here it is.


· And finally, We are creating this space for all daydreamers (primarily maladaptive ones, but perhaps some immersive ones as well).

It will be a safe place that highlights the latest news about Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder (MDD) and covers topics that those of us with MDD, and/or our loved ones/parents, struggle within our daily lives. It is a place for us to see that we are not alone and to receive up-to-date and accurate information about MDD.” These are the opening words of The Daydreamer, a newly launched newsletter co-edited by Jayne Bigelsen, Jamie Roche, Crystal Tatum, and Kristen Church. Click here to read and subscribe.

See you with more MD news in our next newsletter!

The ICMDR team


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