Maladaptive Daydreaming: When Escaping Becomes a Cage

Have you ever drifted so deeply into your daydreams that you lose track of hours, feel emotionally attached to imaginary characters, or struggle to return to reality?

That might be more than just imagination, it could be maladaptive daydreaming.

It was coined by Professor Eli Somer, maladaptive daydreaming is a psychological phenomenon where intense, vivid fantasy life becomes a compulsive coping mechanism. It often develops as a response to trauma, loneliness, or unmet emotional needs.

Common signs include:

• Hours spent fantasizing every day

• Strong emotional connection to imaginary scenarios

• Movements or facial expressions while daydreaming (pacing, talking, smiling)

• Trouble focusing on real-life tasks

• Distress when unable to daydream

  
  

It’s not officially recognized in the DSM-5 yet, but research is growing, and so is awareness.

Maladaptive daydreaming isn’t laziness or “just being imaginative.” It’s often a survival strategy that turns into a prison.

Healing involves:

• Identifying emotional triggers

• Developing healthier coping tools

• Therapy (especially trauma-informed or psychodynamic work)

  
  

It’s okay to seek refuge in fantasy. But you deserve a reality you don’t want to escape from.

#MaladaptiveDaydreaming #MentalHealthAwareness #PsychologyFacts #TraumaHealing #InnerWorlds #BrunPsychology