Could Immersive Daydreaming Underlie a Deficit in Attention?

The prevalence and characteristics of maladaptive daydreaming in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

A new study on the relationship of MD and ADHD was published recently in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

From the abstract:

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) entails excessive immersion and engagement in complex fantasy worlds, causing distress and impairing functioning. Maladaptive Daydreamers often report that existing diagnostic labels are unhelpful for them. Previous studies reported high rates of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among persons with MD, raising the question of their separateness. This study explored whether MD differs essentially from ADHD by examining an ADHD sample, hypothesizing a much lower incidence of MD… In accordance with the hypothesis, only 20.5% of the ADHD sample met the proposed diagnostic criteria for MD. Compared with ADHD-only participants, this subgroup presented increased depression, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem… MD has unique clinical characteristics that are distinct from ADHD. We suggest that in some cases presenting with ADHD symptoms, an MD conceptualization may better explain the clinical picture. 

Theodor-Katz, N., Somer, E., Maaravi Hesseg, R., & Soffer-Dudek, N. (in press). Could immersive daydreaming underlie a deficit in attention? The prevalence and characteristics of Maladaptive Daydreaming in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology.

To read the full study click HERE