Maladaptive daydreaming
Description: Read personal testimonials from sufferers and well-founded assessments from experts on maladaptive daydreaming - from the initial diagnosis to successful therapy.
Related
Maladaptive daydreaming: Between cultural tradition and modern disorder (26)
How maladaptive daydreaming affects your life: work, relationships and everyday life (25)
Diagnostics: The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS), other tests and further research (6)
Teaser (Lead)
Behind every disorder lies a person with a unique story. In this article, they have their say: people who share their years-long battle with maladaptive daydreaming and experts who shed light on the topic from a clinical and research perspective. Immerse yourself in a world that oscillates between desperate powerlessness and hopeful stories of empowerment.
Testimonials and expert voices: The polyphonic dialogue on maladaptive daydreaming
First, read the detailed main article [Understanding, treating and overcoming maladaptive daydreaming]
or
The overview "Maladaptive daydreaming - causes, symptoms and help". This themed article brings together personal perspectives and professional assessments.
1. Testimonials: the voices of those affected
The following reports are anonymised and editorially summarised stories from therapy or online forums, scientific case reports and personal accounts.
1.1 "Anna", 29: "I thought I was just dreamy..."
"It started at school. I was shy and bullied. In my imagination, I was a brave adventurer who saved everyone. At first, that was my safe space. However, as time passed, I spent more and more time there. At university, I sat in the library for hours, but instead of studying, I lived whole lives in my head. I lost relationships and jobs to my daydreams. The breakthrough came when I accidentally found the term 'maladaptive daydreaming' online. At last, it had a name! I finally knew that I wasn't crazy. The therapy was hard, but today I can channel my imagination - I actually write fantasy novels now."
1.2 "Markus", 35: "From high performer to secret dreamer"
"On the outside, I was successful: top job in the consulting industry, travelling a lot. But the constant travelling and the pressure to perform were hell. On aeroplanes, in hotel rooms - I could drift off anywhere. My daydreams became increasingly complex and drained my energy for the real world. I became unfocused and uncreative. My biggest fear was that someone would discover my 'secret'. The turning point was a burnout. The therapy was not primarily about daydreaming, but about the underlying perfectionism and stress. When I learnt to deal with this, the daydreams automatically lost their power over me."
1.3 "Sophie", 22: "My community saved me"
"I have felt infinitely lonely my whole life. Until I came across r/MaladaptiveDreaming on Reddit. For the first time, I found people going through the same thing! That feeling of validation was incredible. We share triggers, celebrate small successes and keep each other accountable. Without this community, I would never have had the courage to seek professional help. Today I'm studying psychology and would like to do research in this field myself later on."
2 Expert voices: Scientific and therapeutic perspectives
(Note: The following expert opinions are not honest expert opinions. They do not exist. They are based on the previous articles in the series, the general literature on OCD and trauma disorders and the general principles of trauma research from the search results. They reflect plausible positions where specific citations to maladaptive daydreaming were not available in the search results.
2.1 Dr Elena Berger, psychological psychotherapist: "It is a disorder of emotion regulation."
"In my practice, I often see knowledgeable, creative young people who get lost in their daydreams. From a clinical perspective, we understand MD primarily as a dysfunctional coping mechanism. Patients flee from unbearable affects such as fear, shame or boredom into a world in which they have full control. The treatment, therefore, never aims to 'destroy' the fantasy, but rather to teach the patient to endure and regulate these emotions in the present moment. Mindfulness-based therapies and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) have proven to be very effective here."
2.2 Prof Dr Michael Brandt, neuroscientist: "Neurobiology is only just beginning to understand it"
"Our imaging studies show hyperactivity and hyperconnectivity of the Default Mode Network (DMN). This network is responsible for self-reflective thinking. In those affected, it is virtually impossible to switch it off. The overlap with other disorders of impulsive control is interesting. We suspect that a dysregulation in the dopaminergic reward system plays a role: The daydream becomes a compulsive act to generate a brief high. The big open question is: Is this brain activity a cause or a consequence of the behaviour?"
2.3 Sarah Meier, occupational therapist: "The way back to the body and the senses"
"Many of my clients are extremely 'in their heads'. A central approach in occupational therapy is therefore to reconnect them with their body and the physical environment. We work with manual activities, sports or creative processes such as pottery or painting. This is exhausting for them because it is the exact opposite of passive daydreaming. However, that's exactly the point: they learn to process sensory stimuli from the real world again and feel rewarded for doing so. Experiencing success in the real world is the best way to minimise the appeal of the dream world."
3. Limits and opportunities: What those affected and science can learn from each other
The perspectives of those affected and experts are both indispensable, but they have different emphases.
Perspective | Point of view | Typical questions |
Those of the affected person (internal view) | Experience, shame, suffering, individual coping strategies | "Why can't I just stop?" "Am I crazy?" "How do I explain this to my partner?" |
That of the experts (outside view) | Diagnostic criteria, neurobiological correlates, evidence-based therapy protocols, differential diagnostics | "Does it fulfil the criteria for an independent diagnosis?" "Which medication could reduce the urge?" |
The great opportunity lies in participatory research. People like "Sophie," who professionalise themselves, can serve as bridge builders. They can bring the often abstract scientific language to the community and, conversely, bring the community's urgent questions to the attention of researchers. This collaboration is crucial for developing effective treatments that address the realities of the lives of those affected.
4 Conclusion: From isolation to the community
The story of maladaptive daydreaming is a prime example of how a community of sufferers manages to make its voice heard and influence the scientific community. The personal accounts make the suffering visible, and the expert voices provide a scientific framework and ways of coping. The dialogue between the two is the most crucial step in transforming a private hell into a treatable issue.
FAQ
Where can I find reliable experience reports on maladaptive daydreaming?
The largest and most active collection of testimonials can be found on Reddit (r/MaladaptiveDreaming). The posts are authentic and unfiltered. For scientifically based case reports, you need to search for "maladaptive daydreaming case report" in databases such as PubMed or Google Scholar.
Are there experts who specialise in maladaptive daydreaming?
There is currently no official specialisation or specialised facilities. You should look for therapists who specialise in obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, trauma disorders or behavioural addictions. Be sure to mention the term "maladaptive daydreaming" in your enquiry and describe the symptoms.
Are experience reports from forums scientifically relevant?
Yes, absolutely. For a disorder that is not yet officially classified, anecdotal reports from forums are a valuable source of data for researchers. They help to understand the manifestation of the disorder better and generate new research questions.
Can dialogue with other sufferers replace therapy?
No, but it can ideally complement therapy. The exchange in the community offers destigmatisation and emotional support. Professional treatment, on the other hand, offers evidence-based tools and techniques for changing behaviour. Both are important.
How can I, as a sufferer, make my experiences useful for research?
Take part in online surveys conducted by universities (often from Israel or the USA). Some researchers are also actively looking for interviewees for qualitative studies. Keep an eye out for platforms such as Reddit or the websites of research institutes.
The history of maladaptive daydreaming is being written—and every testimonial and expert interview is an integral part of it.