Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) may be a better diagnosis for some people than ADHD, researchers argue in a paper in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. MD is a condition whereby people slip into involved highly detailed and realistic daydreams that can last hours at the cost of normal functioning – but it is not yet recognised as a psychiatric disorder.
Dr Nirit Soffer-Dudek of the Consciousness and Psychopathology Laboratory in the Department of Psychology at BGU is one of the leadings experts on the condition and wants to have MD added to the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM VI), by promoting rigorous research into this condition.
Explaining the concept of MD, Dr Soffer-Dudek said: “Some individuals who become addicted to their fanciful daydreams experience great difficulty in concentrating and focusing their attention on academic and vocational tasks, yet they find that an ADHD diagnosis and the subsequent treatment plan does not necessarily help them. Formally classifying MD as a mental disorder would enable psychological practitioners to better assist many of their patients.”
Previous studies had found high levels of ADHD in those also presenting with MD, thereby raising the question of whether MD was separate from ADHD. In the current study, the investigators assessed 83 adults diagnosed with ADHD for inattention symptoms, MD, depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. Of those, about 20% met the proposed diagnostic criteria for MD, with significantly higher rates of depression, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem, compared to those with ADHD that did not meet criteria for MD.
“Our findings suggest that there is a subgroup of those diagnosed with ADHD who would benefit more from a diagnosis of MD,” concluded Dr Soffer-Dudek.
