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Daydreaming: Maladaptive VS Immersive

Note: I am not a health/psychology professional by any means; this is simply a list I've put together from my own understanding and experiences on the topic, based upon various readings/research I found online. I hope it may be helpful/informative to read regardless, feel free to add on or correct this!

Maladaptive Daydreaming:

Excessive daydreaming; becoming absorbed in and fixated on daydream events, scenes, characters, or worlds.

Used as a form of escapism, often to avoid dealing with real-life situations (traumatic, unpleasant, or otherwise).

More interested and/or focused on the daydream/inner world than the real world, or on daydream relationships rather than real-life ones.

Difficulty or inability to stop daydreaming, even when real-life tasks need to be done.

An excessive/large amount of time is spent daydreaming, instead of being fully present in real-life events.

A desire to be like the idealized, daydream version of themself or their characters (/feeling inadequate with self in reality).

May feel a loss of control over daydreams, or when/where daydreaming occurs.

Some describe maladaptive daydreaming as an "addiction to daydreaming".

Many feel embarrassed or ashamed of (the extent of) their daydreaming.

Some individuals experience maladaptive daydreaming as a form of dissociation.

Often occurs in individuals with ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and those who have experienced significant stress, abuse, and/or trauma.

Though the daydreams themselves may be enjoyable/pleasant/comforting, the lack of control and difficulty focusing on reality causes distress to the daydreamer.

If this daydreaming causes significant impairment in daily life and regular distress to the individual, they may have Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder (MaDD).

Immersive Daydreaming:

Simillar to maladaptive daydreaming, but instead, is a more positive way of coping.

The individual is present in real-life relationships, and in their own plans for the future.

Able to stop daydreaming when real-life tasks need to be attended to. Has a solid sense of control over their daydreaming.

Uses daydreaming as a healthy coping mechanism for dealing with stress/trauma/illness/conflict etc, rather than using it to avoid these situations.

BOTH Maladaptive and Immersive Daydreamers (May) Experience:

Very vivid, often extensively detailed daydreams. (Can be visual, auditory, or a mixture of sensory events.)

Feeling the emotions or sensations that are happening in the daydream through the body, as if they were really happening.

Strong attachments or connections to daydream characters (often called "paras").

Presence of an inner world(s)/universe(s), where daydream events take place ("paracosm", "dreamverse").

A sense of "autonomy" regarding character interaction, and/or being "influenced" by their characters.

Repetitive physical activity while daydreaming (pacing, tapping, rocking, etc.)

Speaking daydream dialogue aloud, and/or physically emoting facial expressions while daydreaming.

Real life events triggering daydreams (music, and other media are common daydream triggers.)

"You're so creative!", "You've got an overactive imagination."

* Someone can experience both Maladaptive and Immersive Daydreaming within their lifetime/during different times in their lives!

Immersive daydreaming may become maladaptive if it starts getting out of hand (perhaps after a stressful/traumatic event, or the onset of another disorder). Maladaptive daydreaming can be turned into immersive daydreaming (to cope, or to de-stress), with the help of therapy.

(Thank you for reading! 💌)

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— - wasted years

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