Dear Colleagues and Friends of the ICMDR,
Welcome to the first ICMDR newsletter of 2025. As we embark on another year of advancing research into maladaptive daydreaming (MD), we are thrilled to present a collection of cutting-edge studies that deepen our understanding of this fascinating and often misunderstood phenomenon.
Among the highlights is an extraordinary milestone in MD research: the first-ever brain imaging study of a person with MD, conducted by Mamah et al. This groundbreaking case study not only identifies potential structural and functional differences in the brain of someone experiencing MD but also offers crucial insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of the condition. The study’s findings—suggesting altered activity in key brain networks and a possible role of dopamine regulation—bring us closer to understanding MD as a distinct phenomenon with measurable neural correlates. Could this be the first step toward objective biomarkers for MD? The implications for diagnosis and treatment are profound and warrant further exploration.
This newsletter also showcases a range of studies shedding light on MD’s intersections with emotion regulation, ADHD, media consumption, attachment and even memory distortions. Each study contributes valuable pieces to the puzzle, helping clinicians, researchers and those with lived experience navigate the complexities of MD with greater clarity.
We invite you to immerse yourself in these latest advances and join us in shaping the future of MD research. Whether you are a scholar, a clinician or someone who has personally encountered the power of immersive daydreaming, your engagement is essential to the continued growth and recognition of this field.
Published research papers
Reddy, M.B., Ranjitha, S., Alwar, S.V., & Rajan, E.J.E. (2024). Lost inside my head - an exploratory study on the effect of daydreaming on emotion regulation and fantasy proneness. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 12(4), 2624-2634. DOI: 10.25215/1204.247
Layperson’s Abstract
This study investigated the differences in emotional regulation and fantasy proneness between normal daydreamers and individuals who experience maladaptive daydreaming (MD). It involved 109 Indian university students aged 18–25. Participants were categorized as either maladaptive or normal daydreamers based on their scores on the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16). The results revealed that maladaptive daydreamers struggle significantly more with managing emotions: they show heightened emotional distress, impulsivity and challenges in maintaining focus during emotionally charged situations. They also exhibit a stronger tendency toward fantasy proneness, immersing themselves deeply in vivid, imaginary worlds as a way of escaping reality. These findings suggest that MD serves as an unhealthy coping mechanism for negative emotions, potentially creating a self-perpetuating cycle of avoidance, emotional dysregulation and reduced productivity. While MD can initially provide relief from distress, it often leads to significant challenges in daily life.
Mamah, D., Chen, S.S., Gomez-Lopez, A., & Alexander, A. (2025). A pharmacotherapeutic and neuroimaging case study of maladaptive daydreaming. Psychiatry Research Case Reports, 4(3), 100249. DOI: 10.1016/j.psycr.2025.100249
Layperson’s Abstract
Despite its impact, little is known about the causes of maladaptive daydreaming (MD), and no brain imaging studies have been done on people with MD until now. This study describes a 20-year-old woman who struggled with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and overwhelming daydreaming that made it difficult for her to complete her studies. Her daydreaming worsened during stressful periods, and traditional antidepressants did not help much. Lamotrigine led to a slight improvement but caused side effects that made it hard for her to continue taking it. However, antipsychotic medications (such as lurasidone, risperidone and aripiprazole) quickly reduced or even stopped her daydreaming, while dopamine-based medications (such as lisdexamfetamine and bupropion) made her daydreaming worse. To better understand what was happening in her brain, a detailed MRI brain scan was done, and her brain structure and activity were compared to those of healthy individuals. Parts of her brain’s left hemisphere (especially the middle temporal cortex) were thinner than normal. Some brain networks related to self-reflection and emotions (default mode, cingulo-opercular and salience networks) were larger than in the general population. The left frontoparietal network, which helps with focus and decision-making, was smaller. Our findings suggest that too much dopamine activity might play a role in some cases of maladaptive daydreaming. Also, differences in how the left side of the brain develops could explain why some people experience such vivid and prolonged daydreams. More research with larger groups of people is needed to confirm these results.
Kandeğer, A., Güler, H.A., Özaltın, M.S., Bayırlı, Ö., Söylemez, H., Yıldız, E., & Semerci, B. (2025). Could maladaptive daydreaming delay ADHD diagnosis until adulthood? Clinical characteristics of adults with ADHD based on diagnosis age. Journal of Attention Disorders, 29(5), 387-396. DOI: 10.1177/10870547241310990
Layperson’s Abstract
This study explored the differences between people diagnosed with ADHD during childhood or adolescence and those who received their diagnosis as adults. The goal was to understand the factors that might lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis of ADHD. Researchers analyzed the medical records and self-reported data of 214 adults treated at a neurodevelopmental clinic in Turkey between 2022 and 2024. They looked at a range of factors, including age, gender, education, alcohol or substance use, age at diagnosis, and whether the individuals were taking ADHD medication. The results showed that only about a third of the participants (34.4%) had been diagnosed with ADHD during their younger years. Those diagnosed in adulthood tended to have higher education levels and were older. They also exhibited more severe ADHD symptoms and scored higher on measures of maladaptive daydreaming (MD) compared to those diagnosed earlier in life. Statistical analysis revealed that the severity of MD was strongly linked to receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, even when other factors such as age, education and medication use were considered. Further examination revealed distinct patterns. In adults diagnosed later, MD was not only more severe but also strongly connected to higher ADHD symptoms, as well as comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and excessive mind-wandering. This pattern was less pronounced in those who were diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. The researchers suggest that MD might play a role in delaying ADHD diagnoses by masking or compensating for ADHD symptoms, potentially delaying when people seek professional help. It may also serve as a clue for identifying ADHD in undiagnosed adults. However, the researchers emphasized the need for long-term studies to confirm these findings and to further understand the connection between MD and ADHD.
Khan, H., & Salman, F. (2024). Media related maladaptive daydreaming, emotional regulation and psychological distress in university students. International Journal of Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences, 3(2), 809-821. https://ijciss.org/index.php/ijciss/article/view/706/753
Layperson’s Abstract
This study explored how media-related maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is linked to emotional regulation and psychological distress in university students. Researchers wanted to understand whether excessive, media-influenced daydreaming affects how students manage their emotions and their mental well-being. They surveyed 156 university students using three questionnaires: the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) to measure daydreaming habits, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) to assess how students control their emotions and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) to measure levels of stress and distress. The results showed that students who engaged in more media-related MD also tended to struggle more with emotional regulation and experienced higher levels of psychological distress. Specifically, two emotional regulation strategies—cognitive reappraisal (changing how one thinks about a situation) and expressive suppression (hiding emotions)—were both linked to higher psychological distress. Further analysis found that MD was a strong predictor of emotional regulation difficulties and distress. Additionally, women scored higher than men on all three measures: cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression and psychological distress. These findings highlight the importance of helping students develop better emotional regulation skills, and suggest that mental health programs should address the impact of media-related MD on well-being.
Somer, E., & Otgaar, H. (2025). Memory distortions in maladaptive daydreaming: A study on source confusion and fantasy-driven confabulations. The Qualitative Report, 30(1), 2968-2989. DOI: 10.46743/2160-3715/2025.7031
Layperson’s Abstract
Have you ever had a daydream so vivid that you later weren't sure if it really happened? Our study looked at this experience in people with maladaptive daydreaming (MD), a condition where individuals spend excessive time in vivid fantasy worlds. We interviewed 41 people who identified as having MD about their experiences of mixing up daydreams and reality. About half the participants reported having experiences where they couldn't tell if something had actually happened or if they had just daydreamed it. We found several common patterns in their responses. Some people noticed that their daydreams affected how they interacted with others in real life. Others reported mistaking their fantasies for real memories, especially when their daydreams involved real people or realistic situations. Many only realized later that what they remembered as real events were actually daydreams. Interestingly, most of these confusing daydreams served a purpose: they either rewrote uncomfortable past experiences or helped people cope with worries about the future. This suggests that for people with MD, the line between fantasy and reality can blur, especially when they use daydreaming to deal with difficult emotions or experiences. This research helps us better understand how intense daydreaming might affect people's memories and their ability to distinguish between imagination and reality.
Gemignani, M., Mancinelli, E., Manari, T., Gagliardini, G., Bassi, G., Chirico, I., Gizzi, G., Landi, G., Pistorio, M.L., Pupi, V., Volpato, E., Moretta, T., & Musetti, A. (2025). Understanding maladaptive daydreaming from the attachment framework: The intertwining roles of parental care, unresolved attachment, depression/anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 182, 290-296. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.01.015
Layperson’s Abstract
This study looked at how maladaptive daydreaming (MD) might be connected to people's relationships with their parents during childhood, their current ability to form secure emotional attachments, and mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers surveyed 1,295 young adults about these issues. They found that people who reported having a caring mother were less likely to have OCD symptoms, while those who reported having a caring father were less likely to experience depression and anxiety. They also discovered that people who have difficulty forming secure emotional attachments are more likely to experience MD, which in turn is linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety and OCD symptoms. These findings suggest that MD might be a way for people to cope with difficult emotional experiences through fantasy, although this coping method may eventually lead to psychological difficulties. Understanding these connections could help mental health professionals develop better ways of helping people who struggle with MD.
Student Thesis
Layperson’s Abstract
Immersive daydreaming is a type of vivid and detailed fantasy activity that can feel almost real and continue for months or even years, like a personal “movie in the mind”. The term maladaptive daydreaming (MD) was introduced in 2002 to describe cases where this kind of daydreaming becomes overwhelming and is linked to past trauma. This thesis is a personal exploration of immersive daydreaming, using autoethnography—a research method that blends personal experience with academic study. I call this inner world the Aventine, a space that is both mysterious and in-between reality and fantasy. Throughout this journey, I experiment with different perspectives to understand my daydreaming critically. I engage in imagined conversations with my inner editor and Leonora Carrington, a surrealist artist known for her feminist themes. Inspired by the Venice Biennale art exhibition, Jung’s theory of active imagination, and my own fantasy characters, I explore how daydreaming connects to personal and collective trauma. As I reflect on developmental and intergenerational trauma, I challenge the idea that fantasy is merely a symptom of mental illness. Instead, I present it as a creative and healing response to trauma. This research also questions the way psychiatry has traditionally viewed trauma-related fantasy and suggests a more open-minded approach that embraces imagination, intuition and the mystical in therapy and academic study. By sharing my inner struggles, meaningful coincidences and ultimate sense of belonging, I invite readers to join me on a journey of self-discovery, artistic expression and spiritual freedom.
Maladaptive Daydreaming Seminars and Webinars
ISSTD hosts webinar on maladaptive daydreaming
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) recently hosted a live webinar on maladaptive daydreaming (MD) as part of its continuing education program—a significant milestone in the growing recognition of MD as a clinically relevant phenomenon. For years, MD has been an under-recognized condition, often misunderstood or dismissed within mainstream mental health discourse. Its profound impact on daily functioning, emotional regulation and trauma recovery has only recently begun to gain attention in clinical and academic circles. By dedicating an educational session to MD, ISSTD has acknowledged its importance as a subject worthy of study and professional training. This webinar provided an opportunity for mental health professionals to expand their understanding of MD, explore its links to trauma and dissociation, and discuss potential treatment approaches. The event attracted clinicians, researchers and trauma specialists eager to deepen their knowledge of this emerging field.
The Quebec English Branch of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society offers a course titled Daydream Believers: Disorders of Fantasy and Imagination
Psychologist Susan Meindl and psychiatrist John O’Neil are teaching a 5 week CE Extension Course on maladaptive daydreaming (MD) through the Canadian Psychoanalytic Association. In it they look at examples from history, describe MD and other related fantasy-based experiences and consider directions for treatment from a psychodynamic perspective. This is a first opportunity for many of the participants to consider their cases in the light of what we know about MD, and for therapists who know about MD to get a psychodynamic perspective.
Maladaptive Daydreaming on the Radio
Syed, M. (2025, January 15). Sideways: Reality Shifting [Radio broadcast & transcript]. BBC Radio.
In 2020, a curious trend went viral on social media, especially among teenagers and young adults. As much of the world stayed at home to curb the spread of COVID-19, Reality Shifters began claiming they could move from one reality to another, referencing multiverse theory. Beyond the actual possibility of switching between realities, this craze raised intriguing questions about the fabric of the reality we experience. Philosophers and scientists have long speculated about the existence of multiple realities. In this episode, Matthew Syed explores the blurry line between what we perceive as reality and what may lie beyond it, inviting us to question the very nature of existence. With Reality Shifter Kristin Dattoo, clinical psychologist Professor Eli Somer, neuroscientist Professor Anil Seth and theoretical physicist Professor Ulf Danielsson.
Maladaptive Daydreaming on the Web
Blic.rs is a prominent Serbian web portal that provides comprehensive coverage of politics, economy, entertainment and current events. It serves as the online extension of the daily newspaper Blic, which was first published in 1996. The website was launched in 1998 and has since become a leading source of news in Serbia. Blic.rs has been the most visited website in Serbia for 148 consecutive months, attracting over 3.4 million users from Serbia, or 75% of the country’s internet population. Blic recently published a story titled: “A young man from Serbia has the strangest jumping obsession for over a decade. It can last for hours, he believes he is the only one with this problem and his family even thinks he is on drugs”.
The report translates as: A 20-year-old man from Serbia has been grappling with an unusual obsession for over a decade, characterized by vivid daydreaming accompanied by hyperactive jumping, often lasting up to eight hours when alone at home. This behavior began at age six, fueled by an active imagination and music, leading him to envision himself in various roles, such as a powerful individual or athlete. The intensity of these daydreams induces involuntary physical movements, particularly jumping, which he describes as reflexive and beyond his conscious control. Despite maintaining a seemingly normal life—engaging in modeling, studying and promoting healthy living—he conceals this behavior from others, fearing misunderstanding. His family has noticed his tendency to isolate himself and has grown concerned, suspecting substance abuse due to his secretive actions. He compares this obsession to severe addictions, stating it’s more challenging to overcome than his past struggles with smoking and gambling. He has shared his experience anonymously on Reddit, seeking understanding and connection, as he believes he might be the only person facing this issue. His account highlights the profound impact of maladaptive daydreaming, a condition involving excessive, compulsive daydreaming that interferes with daily functioning. This behavior has become an integral part of his life, to the extent that he feels unable to go a day without engaging in it, even resorting to seclusion during social gatherings to indulge in his vivid fantasies. His story sheds light on the challenges individuals with maladaptive daydreaming face, including the struggle to balance their inner fantasies with real-life responsibilities and relationships, and the difficulty in seeking help due to the fear of stigma or misunderstanding.
L’ADN is a French media outlet dedicated to analyzing and interpreting societal trends and transformations. It offers daily online content and a quarterly print magazine that delve into various aspects of contemporary life, including technology, culture and business.
L’ADN recently published a report on maladaptive daydreaming (MD) titled: “Le trouble de la rêverie compulsive: la nouvelle maladie des réseaux sociaux” (Compulsive daydreaming disorder: the new social media disease). The article discusses MD, reporting that research suggests it may affect about 1 in 40 people. The article focuses on two cases. Ben, an Israeli university student and guitarist, fantasizes about being a successful musician with a perfect girlfriend, while his real life deteriorates. Ana, who developed an obsession with an AI chatbot character after a breakup, spends 80% of her time daydreaming about an alternative reality. The article suggests that social media may exacerbate these vulnerabilities, particularly among young people, by creating a distorted digital mirror of reality. Treatment approaches, as demonstrated in Ben’s case, can include custom therapy, reducing screen time, and mindfulness meditation. The article ends on a positive note: Ben met someone in real life three months after beginning therapy.
The Spectator, established in 1828, is the oldest English-language magazine, known for its insightful commentary on politics, culture and current affairs. It expanded globally in 2018 with The Spectator World, catering to US and international audiences with monthly print editions and daily online updates. Renowned for its independent stance, the magazine values originality, clarity and style over impartiality, embracing the motto “firm, but unfair”. Beyond print, it engages audiences through SpectatorTV, offering debates and features on major news stories. The Spectator remains a significant voice in media, combining rigorous analysis with entertaining and thought-provoking content. It published a story recently on maladaptive daydreaming, introducing the condition to its readership.
More to Her Story is a global platform and nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of young women and girls worldwide. Founded by journalist Sarah Little, the initiative aims to bring awareness to the injustices women and girls face globally, build confidence in young women by sharing their work, and help shift cultural norms that contribute to gender-based violence through journalism and storytelling. More to Her Story produces a podcast, ranked in the top 10% globally, that spotlights world leaders, journalists and young people committed to advancing gender equity. Through these initiatives, More to Her Story seeks to keep women’s and girls’ voices at the forefront of the global agenda, providing a platform for storytelling that fosters understanding and change. Their website recently featured a story titled “Dreams online, limits offline: How young women find freedom in social media”. It explores how young women in highly restrictive societies, particularly Afghanistan and Iran, use social media to create alternate digital personas that represent the freedom and lifestyle they desire but cannot experience in reality. Through interviews with several women, the article examines how they adopt different identities online, sharing photos and posts of activities forbidden to them in real life - from wearing certain clothes to visiting specific places. While this practice offers temporary escape and a form of quiet rebellion, experts note it can be linked to maladaptive daydreaming and may impact mental health. The story illustrates how social media serves as both a window to possibilities and a bittersweet reminder of the restrictions these women face, while also potentially inspiring some to advocate for greater freedoms in their societies.
Afterword
As we close this issue, we find ourselves on the cusp of new possibilities for understanding and addressing maladaptive daydreaming (MD). The research featured here highlights the momentum building within the scientific community, pushing MD from the fringes of psychological study toward mainstream recognition. With each publication, each conference and each collaboration, we come closer to answering fundamental questions about MD’s causes, consequences and potential treatments.
The inclusion of MD in major psychiatric discussions, from ISSTD webinars to psychoanalytic courses, signals a shift in awareness that was once unthinkable. As our knowledge expands, so too does the hope for more tailored interventions, better diagnostic clarity and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of immersive imagination.
The road ahead is filled with both challenges and opportunities. Yet, as this issue demonstrates, we are making meaningful strides. Thank you for being part of this journey—whether as a researcher, a clinician or an advocate for those whose inner worlds are both a refuge and a struggle. Let us continue exploring, questioning, and advancing the conversation.
Until next time, have a cozy winter!
The ICMDR Editorial Team
