The Conversation Covers Maladaptive Daydreaming
The Conversation, originally an Australian independent news organization, now has editions all over the world. They publish “trustworthy and informative articles written by academic experts for the general public.” This month they turned their attention to MD:
There seems to be a strong relationship between OCD and maladaptive daydreaming. One study found that over half of participants with maladaptive daydreaming also exhibited signs of OCD. This may suggest possible shared mechanisms between the two disorders, including intrusive thoughts, dissociation and a lack of cognitive control.
Daydreaming’s dark side: the compulsive, complex fantasy disorder that dominates some people’s daily lives (theconversation.com)
Though maladaptive daydreaming has been garnering an increasing amount of attention online and through social media, it’s not yet formally recognised in psychiatric diagnostic manuals.
This means many health professionals may be unaware of the condition, leading to misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms, creating further distress, isolation, and shame for maladaptive daydreamers. Many instead turn to online forums for peer support and recognition.
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