Causes
Description: What factors favour maladaptive daydreaming? Mental stress, trauma, stress and risk groups at a glance.
Related
Maladaptive daydreaming: Who is affected? Facts and figures on prevalence (5)
Recognising symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming (3)
Teaser (Lead)
Why do some people lose themselves in their fantasies for hours, while others experience daydreams as brief flashes of thought? Maladaptive daydreaming has no simple cause. Instead, psychological, biographical and social factors interact. This article sheds light on the most critical risk factors and explains why research into the causes is so complex.
Causes and risk factors of maladaptive daydreaming
First, read the detailed main article, Maladaptive daydreaming - understanding, treating and overcoming it - a comprehensive guide
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The overview "Maladaptive daydreaming - causes, symptoms and help". This topic article explains the background and risk factors of maladaptive daydreaming.
1 Psychological and neurobiological factors
Maladaptive daydreaming often occurs together with other mental disorders. The most common accompanying diagnoses include ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These disorders are usually associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, impulsivity and increased inner restlessness, which can favour intense fantasising.
Some researchers suspect that changes in the brain's reward systems play a role: Maladaptive daydreaming could be a "reward substitute" when real-life activities are less enjoyable. A high capacity for fantasy or absorption, i.e. the ability to lose oneself completely in imagination, is also discussed as an individual factor.
2 Biographical influences
Biographical experiences characterise how people deal with stress. Traumatic experiences in childhood, bullying, neglect or family conflicts can lead to fantasy worlds serving as a place of retreat; however, not all those affected report traumatic events. Many only develop maladaptive daydreaming in adolescence or young adulthood, without severe trauma. Minor stressors, chronic boredom or emotional deprivation can also contribute to daydreaming becoming a favoured coping mechanism.
3 Social and cultural triggers
In addition to individual factors, the environment and culture also play a role. Loneliness, social isolation or a lack of meaningful roles can intensify the need for inner worlds. In an increasingly digital society, many people spend a significant amount of time in virtual spaces; at the same time, fundamental social interactions can become rarer or more superficial. Some sufferers report that certain types of music, films or books intensify their fantasies. Sensory stimuli, such as sounds, smells, or lighting conditions, can also trigger daydreams.
4 Age and gender differences
Studies suggest that maladaptive daydreaming occurs more frequently in adolescents and young adults. In this phase of life, new roles are tried out, and identity development can be characterised by uncertainty.
Whether there are gender differences has not yet been conclusively clarified. Some studies have found similar frequencies in men and women, while others indicate slightly higher rates in women. It remains to be seen to what extent social expectations or the willingness to talk about daydreams influence such differences.
5 Interplay of factors - a complex puzzle
The causes of maladaptive daydreaming are manifold; in most cases, there is an interplay of internal predispositions and external triggers. A person with a high tendency to fantasise and emotional sensitivity who also suffers from stress, loneliness or unfulfilled needs has a higher risk of using daydreams as a substitute world. Research is still in the early stages of defining these factors more precisely and understanding their interactions. What is clear, however, is that maladaptive daydreaming is not simply "imaginary" or a matter of choice, but an expression of deeper needs and coping strategies.
Conclusion
Maladaptive daydreaming does not arise from a single cause. Mental disorders such as ADHD or anxiety, traumatic experiences, prolonged stress and social isolation can all favour the phenomenon. Each case is individual, and not everyone who fantasises a lot develops a disorder. The decisive factor is how much daydreaming determines everyday life and whether it becomes an escape from unresolved problems. Anyone who recognises themselves in the pattern described should not be afraid to seek professional help and explore the personal triggers.