Whether you’re sitting idly in your home or zoning out at your workplace, all of us have a habit of daydreaming. It not only alleviates boredom, but has also been proven to boost creativity and problem-solving. But like any other habit, excess indulgence can be a cause for concern.
Excessive daydreaming, which interferes with a person’s daily life and functioning is called maladaptive daydreaming. Unlike normal daydreaming, which can be a healthy way to relax or briefly escape reality, maladaptive daydreaming consists of intense, vivid, and highly immersive fantasies that can consume hours of a person’s day.
Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital says that “these daydreams often involve intricate plots and characters, to the point where the person might prefer their fantasy world over real-life interactions and responsibilities.”
Basically, daydreaming as a leisure activity is fine but when the daydreamer feels a compulsive need to live in the fantasy world more than the real world, it can become a vicious cycle, which is very hard to break out of. Maladaptive daydreaming is often linked to mental health disorders such as OCD, depression, and anxiety. Further, preferring daydreams over real-life interactions can result in social withdrawal and loneliness.
What are the causes of maladaptive daydreaming?
The exact causes of maladaptive daydreaming are not fully understood, according to Dordi, but several factors may potentially contribute to its development:
Emotional and Psychological Factors: Many individuals use daydreaming as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. It provides an escape from unpleasant emotions or situations.
Boredom or Loneliness: People who feel bored or isolated might engage in excessive daydreaming to fill the void or create a sense of companionship and excitement.
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Personality Traits: Some individuals naturally have a more vivid imagination and are prone to engaging in fantasy as a way to express their creativity.
Lack of Stimulation: Environments that lack sufficient intellectual or emotional stimulation may lead individuals to turn inward and create their own stimulating experiences through daydreaming.
Maladaptive daydreaming is often linked to mental health disorders such as OCD, depression, and anxiety. (Source: Freepik)
How to prevent and manage maladaptive daydreaming
Dordi recommends the following techniques to tackle this problem:
Seek Professional Help: Consulting a mental health professional can help identify underlying issues and provide therapeutic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
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Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals stay present and reduce the urge to escape into daydreams. Grounding techniques can help bring focus back to the real world.
Structured Routine: Establishing a structured daily routine with specific goals and activities can reduce idle time and the temptation to daydream.
Engage in Fulfilling Activities: Pursuing hobbies, social activities, and other fulfilling endeavors can provide the emotional and intellectual stimulation that reduces the need for daydreaming.
Limit Daydreaming Triggers: Identifying and minimizing triggers that lead to excessive daydreaming can help manage the condition.
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Addressing maladaptive daydreaming often requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle changes, therapeutic interventions, and support from friends and family.
