What is maladaptive daydreaming? Maladaptive daydreams are excessive, persistent daydreaming episodes. Typically, the daydreamer feels completely occupied by their fantasies. Oftentimes, maladaptive daydreams negatively affect a person’s relationships, work, or day-to-day routines. The dreams might also serve as a coping mechanism, or a way to distract from other unpleasant feelings.

Maladaptive daydreams are intense, persistent, or disruptive. Most maladaptive daydreamers experience vivid, complex dreams, maybe even employing a cast of different characters with thorough backstories. These people may get lost in fantasies for extended periods of time, even hours, without realizing it. Maladaptive daydreamers may feel entirely unattached to what’s happening around them, instead feeling completely immersed in their imagination. This can affect their social, professional, or academic successes—which might leave them feeling ashamed or addicted to their daydreams. Some people even experience compulsions, or a strong need to return to their fantasies—almost like an addiction.

Maladaptive daydreaming usually occurs alongside other disorders. Though there’s still much to learn about maladaptive daydreaming, it’s commonly observed alongside ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), anxiety disorders, depression, dissociative disorders, or OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

Is maladaptive daydreaming an official disorder? No, maladaptive daydreaming isn’t currently recognized by the DSM-5. That said, it’s a hot topic in the psychological community at the moment, and authorities in the field are calling for more research.

How common is maladaptive daydreaming? It’s much more common than you might think. Because maladaptive daydreaming isn’t an official disorder yet, there’s still a long way to go before we’ll understand its prevalence. That said, some initial research suggests that it could affect ~2% of the population, up to ~20% of adults with ADHD.