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    • Sep 9
    • 10 min read

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Imagination: The Latest Developments in Maladaptive Daydreaming Research



Dear Readers,


Welcome to the latest edition of the International Consortium for Maladaptive Daydreaming Research (ICMDR) Newsletter! This issue is packed with groundbreaking studies that shine new light on the complexities of maladaptive daydreaming (MD). From its deep connections to addiction and emotional regulation to new tools for assessing its impact, the global research community is pushing the boundaries of what we know about this captivating yet often misunderstood condition. Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, or someone experiencing MD, we hope these insights inspire deeper understanding and more effective interventions. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of MD!


Published research papers



Layperson's Abstract

In MD, imagination takes precedence over reality, often becoming a source of shame and interference in daily life. Seeking to understand the lived experiences of those grappling with MD, researchers delved into the digital realm, analyzing 336 public posts shared on Reddit in September 2023. Their exploration revealed a tapestry of themes, each thread illuminating how MD shapes one's sense of self. Some sufferers reject the imperfections of reality, feeling as though this world is not their own. Others find themselves in a blurred landscape where fantasy and reality intertwine. The experience of MD isn't static; it evolves, spiraling rather than looping, constantly changing its impact on the individual. As the daydreams intensify, focus in the real world slips away, leaving many struggling to maintain their daily responsibilities. Paradoxically, while MD disrupts life, it also serves as a lifeline for some, offering healing aspects amidst the chaos. Yet, the struggle to quit is an ongoing battle many fight in silence. The study uncovered MD's far-reaching influence, touching nearly every aspect of sufferers' lives - from their core sense of self to their motivation, behaviors and cognitive abilities. Many recounted failed attempts to cease daydreaming, drawing parallels to the grips of behavioral addiction. Without professional support, many turn to the Reddit community or even their imaginary characters for solace and understanding. These findings shed light on previously overlooked consequences of MD, such as identity issues and difficulties with frustration tolerance. The researchers emphasize an urgent need for professional interventions that address the multifaceted ways MD impacts daily functioning, hoping to offer real-world solutions for those lost in the realms of their minds.

 


Layperson’s Abstract

The researchers were curious about why some people develop MD. They wondered if it might be a way to cope with stress, a mental getaway when life gets tough. To explore this idea, they compared people who experience MD with those who don't. They discovered that people who get caught up in MD tend to have a harder time dealing with frustration. When life throws them curveballs, they're more likely to try to dodge them by retreating into their daydreams. On the flip side, people who don't have MD are generally better at reaching out to others for emotional support when they're struggling. The researchers dug deeper and found that for those with MD, their daydreaming habit is tangled up with other tendencies. It's linked to avoiding problems, struggling to handle discomfort, feeling entitled and having a tough time managing emotions. So what does all this mean for people living with MD? The researchers suggest that therapy could be helpful, especially if it focuses on teaching skills to handle emotional discomfort. The goal would be to help people find healthier ways to cope with life's challenges, rather than always escaping into daydreams.

 


Layperson’s Abstract

Researchers wanted to see whether MD is connected to addictive behaviors such as excessive internet use, gaming, or compulsive sexual behaviors. The study involved 293 medical students who filled out online questionnaires. These questionnaires measured MD symptoms and various addictive behaviors. The researchers then compared two groups: those likely to have MD and those who didn't. They found that people with MD symptoms were more likely to show signs of gaming addiction, problematic social media use, food addiction, sex or pornography addiction and compulsive buying. Among these, gaming addiction was the strongest predictor of MD. The study suggests that there's a significant link between MD and addictive behaviors, especially gaming addiction, in young adults. This research helps us understand how MD might be related to other behavioral issues.

 

Two papers were published the International Journal of Indian Psychology:



Layperson’s Abstract

This study looked at how common MD is among adolescents and young adults, and whether it’s linked to emotional neglect (a lack of emotional support during childhood). Researchers surveyed 118 participants aged 13-30, including 64 females, 50 males and 4 others. They found that 66.9% of participants experienced MD and 33.1% had negative or distressing daydreams. Those who experienced emotional neglect were more likely to engage in MD, although this was only part of the story. While emotional neglect plays a role, other factors are also important. This highlights the need for a deeper understanding of MD, as well as the importance of personalized treatment.



Layperson's Abstract

MD and loneliness are important psychological phenomena that warrant investigation because of their possible interaction. This study surveyed 120 young Indian people, aged 18-30. Using a quantitative method, the researchers examined the prevalence of MD and its relationship to loneliness. They found that loneliness is a powerful predictor of MD, which is in keeping with MD’s role as a coping mechanism. These results highlight the need to address psychological discomfort and social isolation in the context of Indian culture.

 

 

Layperson’s Abstract

Rather than being just a distraction, getting lost in daydreams could potentially be a way to cope with life's challenges. That's the intriguing possibility suggested by this study of MD. Researchers delved into the minds of 252 people, mostly women, who spend significant time immersed in vivid fantasies. They were curious: could this intense daydreaming actually be a tool for managing emotions? What they discovered was surprising. While you might think that excessive daydreaming would lead to more stress or anxiety, this study found the opposite. People who struggled to understand their own emotions actually reported fewer symptoms of distress if they engaged in MD. Even more fascinating, those who had trouble focusing on goals when upset or who doubted their ability to control their emotions tended to daydream more. But the biggest surprise was that the more people indulged in these elaborate daydreams, the less depression and anxiety they reported. They even felt more positive about their ability to solve problems in their lives. It's as if these richly imagined inner worlds serve as a kind of emotional safety valve, helping people process and manage difficult feelings. The researchers caution that we need to learn more about how the specific content of these daydreams might play a role. But their findings challenge the idea that MD is always harmful, suggesting it might actually be a creative way some people have found to navigate the complexities of their emotional lives. 

 

Upcoming Lectures

 

Daydream believer: Jung’s early explorations of imaginal experiences (Online)

Presenter: Susan Meindl 

The Jung Center of Houston

Date: September 21, 2024 

Time: 1:00-2:30pm CT 


In this presentation, Susan Meindl will introduce the current research on MD and link it, through a piece of psychological history, to Jungian thoughts on the potential of  “active imagination” as a therapeutic technique and as a personal practice of psychological self-understanding and self-development.

In 1927, Carl Jung wrote a paper examining the experiences of a young “medium“ and her trance narratives of past lives and encounters with characters from outside her time and place. As a psychiatrist, Jung considered them imaginative products rather than esoteric experiences and argued that the fantasy narratives served a psychological purpose related to maturing the young woman’s personality. 

This was a line of thought that Jung pursued through his own mid-life experience of what came to be called “active imagination“ and his theorizing about the value of voluntary engagement with fantasy as a more conscious alternative to dream interpretation and a way to evoke and connect with otherwise unconscious aspects of the psyche. 

Active imagination has become a central and valued therapeutic technique in Jungian psychology and can contribute to the current understanding and treatment of MD by offering a psychoanalytic perspective.

 

Maladaptive daydreaming: Unmasking absorptive daydreaming disorder

Workshop presenter: Eli Somer

The 9th International Congress of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation

Date: October 11, 2024

Time: 11:45-13:30 CEST


In this workshop, Eli Somer will define and describe MD, present findings on the impact of MD on daily functioning, discuss underlying mechanisms, explore theoretical explanatory frameworks, introduce various assessment tools, describe comorbidities and present evidence-based therapeutic interventions for MD.

 

Student Theses


 

Layperson’s Abstract

This study investigated how difficult experiences in childhood and adulthood affect someone's ability to focus and their tendency to engage in MD. A total of 177 adults aged 18-30 were asked about tough experiences they had in childhood and adulthood. They also took a test to measure their ability to focus on specific information while ignoring distractions, especially when dealing with emotional words. The results showed that both childhood and adult hardships were linked to more maladaptive daydreaming. These difficult experiences also made it harder for people to focus during the attention test. Interestingly, childhood hardships seemed to affect focus indirectly by increasing MD. However, for those who experienced difficulties as adults, high levels of MD actually helped them perform better on the focus test. These results suggest that the relationships between life hardships, MD and the ability to focus are not straightforward.

 

 


Layperson’s Abstract

This study explored how MD is related to addiction tendencies and certain brain functions, called executive functions, which help with tasks such as problem-solving and self-control. A total of 77 university students aged 19-25 (63 females and 14 males) took part in an online survey where they provided background information and answered questions using several scales that measure MD, internet addiction and substance addiction risk. Based on their scores, participants were divided into two groups: those who experience MD and those who don’t. These groups were then invited to take part in face-to-face tests designed to assess their thinking and decision-making abilities. The results showed a strong link between MD and internet addiction. Internet addiction scores can predict how severe someone’s MD is. When looking at both groups, it was found that MD mainly affected internet addiction but not other types of addiction or brain functions. 


 


Maladaptive Daydreaming measures


MDS-16

The MDS-16 has been translated into Ukrainian, and the adapted version has been validated on a Ukrainian sample. The MDS-16 has now been translated into 40 languages.



Layperson’s Abstract

Researchers used the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) to measure MD. This scale has not yet been translated into Ukrainian. The researchers created a Ukrainian version of the MDS-16 and tested it with 132 people. They then analyzed the results to see whether the Ukrainian version was reliable and accurate. They found that the Ukrainian MDS-16 works well overall, but there might be some differences in how the questions group together compared to the original version. This study is a first step toward creating a Ukrainian tool to measure MD. It will help researchers better understand and study this issue in Ukraine.

 

The maladaptive daydreaming scale – short form (MDS-SF)


The MDS-SF has been added to ICMDR’s Measures page. The tool was validated on a sample of 2512 participants and showed good to excellent agreement with the existing measure. The validation study by Soffer-Dudek and Oh also showed that suspected maladaptive daydreamers were more than twice as likely as non-daydreamers to have recently attempted suicide. 

 


Maladaptive daydreaming in the media


Nautilus is a distinctive science magazine launched in 2013, combining science, philosophy and culture elements to create engaging narratives around a monthly theme. It features diverse content, including long-form essays, blogs, videos and graphic stories, all richly illustrated. Nautilus has garnered significant acclaim, winning multiple awards, including three National Magazine Awards, a Kavli Science Writing Award and a Webby Award for best science website. The magazine is recognized for its literary approach to science storytelling. It attracts a large and engaged audience by emphasizing the importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary exploration in understanding complex scientific topics. Nautilus recently published a story on MD titled: ‘The Strange Rise of Daydreaming - Why people become addicted to fantasy lives.’

 


YouTube


Lost in Wonderland - Maladaptive Daydreaming is a short video from The Room Psy that introduces MD in a way that is informative and easy to understand. It is beautifully produced, and although it is aimed at those with no previous knowledge of MD, if you have seven minutes to spare it is well worth watching.  

 

In conclusion, as we continue to uncover the intricate layers of MD, the studies and other resources listed above remind us of the complexity and universality of the human experience. From the digital platforms where sufferers seek solace to the clinical tools developed for deeper understanding, the research presented here helps to bridge the gap between lived experience and scientific knowledge. Together, we can transform the narrative around MD—building greater empathy, developing more robust interventions and ultimately helping those affected reclaim their lives from the pull of their inner worlds. Let’s keep pushing forward!

 

 




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