Escaping Reality: The Rise of Maladaptive Daydreaming
How an overactive imagination becomes a struggle for control
—By Nour Alzerjawi
As a child, Sam would weave elaborate fantasies, narrating intricate plots to an audience only she could see. In these daydreams, she was a bestselling author, a world-renowned scientist, or a hero in an unfolding adventure. “It felt more real than reality sometimes,” she admits. “I could control the world in my head in a way I never could outside of it.”
Years later, as a college student, Sam finds that her vivid daydreaming has become more of a burden than an escape. “I’ll be studying, and suddenly I’m in a different world,” she says. “Before I know it, hours have passed, and I’ve done nothing.” For students like Sam, maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is more than just a harmless distraction—it’s a compulsive behavior that disrupts daily life.
What is maladaptive daydreaming?
“Me daydreaming about being a popular and beloved person while I know everybody fucking hates me irl”. This is the mindset of someone struggling to control their life—someone controlled by their coping mechanism of daydreams, losing valuable time to maladaptive daydreaming.
The journal Consciousness and Cognition defined Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) as a mental health condition where someone becomes absorbed in an internal fantasy world to a point that interferes with daily functions. MD is different from daydreaming. Daydreams at times are brief and harmless, while MD is a coping mechanism for people dealing with loneliness, trauma, or emotional neglect. MD is not a fleeting or occasional escape; rather, it is an immersive and often compulsive experience, where the individual becomes deeply invested in elaborate and often fantastical scenarios. For many, these daydreams begin as an escape from boredom, stress, or negative emotions but evolve into a compulsive behavior that disrupts daily functioning.
According to Dr. Eli Somer, a pioneer in the field of MD research and the creator of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale, the primary distinction between MD and typical daydreaming lies in its impact on daily life. Somer explains,“Maladaptive daydreaming is a form of dissociation where individuals detach from the present moment and lose themselves in a fantasy world. What sets MD apart from typical daydreaming is the degree to which it disrupts everyday life.” His research suggests that, for many individuals, MD provides a temporary escape from personal distress, but over time, it becomes an entrenched pattern that can be hard to break. The concept of MD became so popular on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, etc, leading to the question of whether social media contributed to its rise. Why does MD seem so prevalent among young people today? Did the isolation of COVID-19 exacerbate the condition? Could MD be linked to addiction, particularly through the brain’s dopamine reward system?
MD remains largely unrecognized in major diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5, but as it gains momentum, awareness is more critical than ever. The roots of MD exacerbate social and psychological aspects of life, and it’s necessary to bring it into the public eye.
Social media’s role in maladaptive daydreaming
In the digital age, social media has become a double-edged sword for individuals experiencing maladaptive daydreaming (MD). Online platforms provide a space for those struggling with excessive daydreaming to find validation, share their experiences, and seek support. Subreddits like r/MaladaptiveDaydreaming and other online forums allow users to discuss their triggers, coping mechanisms, and the impact of MD on their daily lives.
However, social media can also reinforce maladaptive daydreaming behaviors. As Dr. Somer noted, “There is no direct evidence in the provided literature linking social media usage to MD. However, social media could potentially contribute to MD by providing a platform for escapism or exacerbating feelings of isolation.” The constant flow of curated content and immersive media can act as fuel for prolonged daydreaming episodes. Many users report that scrolling through videos, fanfiction, or online discussions deepens their engagement in imaginary worlds, making it harder to break free from their daydream cycles.
TikTok, in particular, has drawn criticism for its role in amplifying both awareness and misinterpretation of maladaptive daydreaming. On one hand, users create and engage with videos that reflect personal experiences with MD, using hashtags like #maladaptivedaydreaming to foster connection and community. On the other hand, mental health professionals and users on platforms like Reddit have voiced concern that TikTok trends often romanticize MD or confuse it with normal imaginative behavior. For example, a Reddit thread pointed out the influx of TikToks portraying maladaptive daydreaming (MD) as quirky or fun, despite it being a genuine struggle. One such video by cantbbiaa, with 7.6 million views and over 12,000 comments, says: “me: walking in circles while listening to my saved audios and maladaptive daydreaming.” This reflects a larger issue: while platforms like TikTok increase awareness and support, they also risk minimizing mental health conditions by turning them into trends.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease discusses how problematic social networking site use (PSNSU) is closely linked to MD. According to the study, individuals with MD showed significantly higher scores in psychopathological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, compared to non-MD individuals. Moreover, MD was found to worsen through PSNSU as an emotion regulation strategy, with social media serving as an emotional escape. The findings emphasize the need for intervention, as the correlation has been established, and action is needed
While another study published in Current Psychology, focusing on the influence of Reddit forums on MD explained how many Reddit users described feeling isolated in their experiences, turning to online communities for support. This reliance on digital platforms for validation and comfort emphasizes the role social media plays in fueling and relieving the symptoms of MD.
At the same time, social media has played a role in increasing awareness of MD. Although not yet classified as a formal psychiatric disorder, online discourse has helped bring attention to its symptoms and effects, leading to more discussions in psychological research. As an interview in The Cut mentioned, “One day, in 2007, I posted about my experience on a mental-health forum. I don’t remember what provoked it, but I do recall I’d been sobbing over my life in a horribly depressed state…. So I wrote about it online, and for two years I just got a lot of comments. People jumped on it, enthusiastically wondering the same things. I got about 200 replies.” Through social media, individuals with MD can connect, find community, and navigate their experiences together—though the challenge remains in balancing online engagement with real-world responsibilities.
Covid-19: how isolation exacerbates MD
While social media has undeniably shaped how individuals with maladaptive daydreaming connect and cope, another powerful force has also played its part: the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift from structured routines to prolonged solitude created the perfect conditions for MD to thrive, pushing many deeper into their curated worlds. Somer explained, “The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to an increase in MD cases due to prolonged periods of solitude and reduced social interaction. Studies indicate that individuals with MD reported increased time spent daydreaming, intensity, and vividness during lockdowns, which intensified their psychological distress. Social isolation provided more opportunities for engaging in MD, potentially worsening symptoms.” Showing that isolation truly changed things for people. As Josie Burck, a Umich alum said, “Definitely when the pandemic hit, I was so withdrawn from people around me, as we all were, and that was what I would do all day. I would, like, imagine these things that could be happening, but they weren’t. But it gave me such a, like, endorphin rush.”
This was supported through Frontiers in Psychiatry that highlighted that after lockdown MD increased due to isolation, anxiety, and depression, It found that compared to the pre-lockdown period, individuals with probable MD experienced worsened concentration, lower life satisfaction, and heightened symptoms such as obsession, compulsive behaviors, social anxiety, loneliness, and depression, along with a decrease in happiness and self-worth Showing that after lockdown, we need to be more attentive, especially with college students who have shown to be struggling with other mental health conditions.
A college student in a subreddit forum I asked, describes how MD affected their life during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that “COVID-19 was the worst, I would say. Only if I could have studied at that time, maybe I could be living a better life. I got skipped of all the life experiences and all, and now here I am, a fucking man-child.” They further explain, “This is the coping mechanism. Like, people have this. This is the drugs, mentally fucked up shit,” emphasizing how MD can become a way of dealing with stress and emotional distress, often leading to feelings of isolation and a lack of control, interfering with his personal goals.
The addictive nature of MD: a dopamine loop
The pandemic may have opened the door for increased maladaptive daydreaming, but what’s keeping people stuck in these cycles often goes deeper into the brain’s reward system. Just like with behavioral addictions, MD can be fueled by the dopamine-driven highs that come from escaping into vivid fantasies. Over time, these imagined experiences can become not just comforting, but compulsive, reinforcing a cycle that’s hard to break. Understanding the neurological side of MD, particularly the role of dopamine and addictive behavior patterns, sheds light on why many struggle to control it.
Dr. Kent Berridge, a University of Michigan Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, further explains that the brain’s reward system may play a role in the reinforcement of MD. “When someone engages in a particularly engaging or pleasurable fantasy, their brain releases dopamine, the same chemical involved in rewards like eating or social bonding. This makes the daydreams feel satisfying, and over time, the person becomes more drawn to retreat into these fantasies as a form of self-reward,” he adds. This reward system dynamic may explain why it becomes so difficult for individuals to stop engaging in maladaptive daydreaming, even when they recognize that it’s having a negative effect on their lives.
The internal rewards of these daydreams, comfort, pleasure, and relief, can create a powerful loop that encourages their continuation. This is shown through recent studies that suggest that MD shares similarities with behavioral addictions. Research published in the Journal Consciousness and Cognition indicates that maladaptive daydreaming is linked to obsessive-compulsive tendencies and dissociative experiences. This highlights the addictive nature of MD and its importance to be further studied as Dr. Somer noted, “Recent research might suggest a link between heightened dopamine activity and MD, but this area requires further exploration to confirm dopamine dysregulation as a therapeutic target.”
Unrecognized in the DSM-5
Despite growing evidence that maladaptive daydreaming shares characteristics with behavioral addictions, as discussed, such as compulsivity, reward-seeking, and impaired control, it remains notably absent from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This lack of formal recognition poses challenges for those seeking diagnosis, treatment, and validation.
While MD exhibits many of the psychological conditions in DSM-5, its exclusion leaves sufferers without a clear clinical framework, often forcing them to self-diagnose or rely on online communities for understanding and support. Dr. Somer noted, “Increasing awareness among mental health professionals is crucial for advancing research and treatment options for MD. This can be achieved through education and dissemination of research findings. Official recognition in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5 and the ICD-12 would significantly enhance research and treatment efforts by providing a standardized framework for diagnosis and intervention.”
This is further shown by those struggling with MD. Due to a lack of research, they struggle with isolation and no knowledge of what they are experiencing. Especially when professionals around them are also unaware, which is show in The Cut, “I had asked various therapists about the daydreaming, but of course none of them knew what I was talking about. I got told all the same things: It’s just depression, or Oh, that’s normal, or Just try and stop. So I wrote about it online, and for two years I just got a lot of comments…. I saw a note from a researcher named Cynthia Shupack saying, “I’m studying this. Here’s my email address.” That was it, one line. I emailed her back asking if this is legit: “What’s going on?” And she replied very sweetly. She was reassuring and comforting, something I desperately needed.”
Prevalence and co-occurrence of MD in young adults
The prevalence of MD remains under-examined, yet emerging studies suggest it is more widespread than previously thought.
Somer stated, “Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) appears to be more prevalent among young adults, particularly in student populations. Studies suggest that rates are higher in young adult age groups or student samples, ranging from 5.5% to 8.5%. High school and college students may be more susceptible due to factors like stress, anxiety, and social isolation, which are common in these age groups. This overlap complicates diagnosis and treatment, underscoring the need for further research to improve understanding and create appropriate interventions.
That co-occurrence also exacerbates things, as Dr. Somer noted. “MD often co-occurs with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and ADHD. These comorbidities can complicate diagnosis and treatment, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses both MD and associated conditions.” Dr. Kent Berridge, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, offers valuable insight, explaining that MD can often coexist with other mental health conditions, particularly those related to mood regulation. “People who experience MD frequently report high levels of anxiety or depression. The daydreams become a form of self-soothing, though it often results in a cycle of emotional avoidance,” Berridge states.
The beauty of art
Josie Burck, a U of M alum and artist, did just that. She uses art to intersect with themes of self-perception and imagination, and shared how her experiences with maladaptive daydreaming (MD) influenced her creative process. Her project, initially developed as a thesis and later pitched for the Big Idea Award, sought to represent the process of becoming these idealized selves. “In a lot of the daydreams I had, I was imagining myself to look different…based on social media—like influencers or actors or characters that I’ve been shown throughout my childhood,” Burck explained. This idea evolved into a project where she created art based on the idealized versions of herself and placed those characters in various environments. Through this lens, she explored how media shapes our perception of self-worth and identity.
Burck’s insights support existing research on the role of isolation in amplifying MD. She explained, “When the pandemic hit, I was so withdrawn from people around me…. I would, like, imagine these things that could be happening, but they weren’t.”
As Burck’s life changed, so did her relationship with daydreaming. “I’m definitely in a different place.… I live in New York now, I have a full-time job, I’m very social.… I don’t actually have a lot of time,” she shared. This shift in lifestyle naturally reduced her tendency to engage in daydreaming, suggesting that external factors, such as a more structured and socially connected life, may help mitigate MD symptoms.
When reflecting on her art, Burck shared valuable advice for others exploring mental health topics through creative projects. She recommended approaching such topics “from a lens of curiosity and maybe some really personal lens” to fully engage with the emotional depth that these experiences evoke. “It’s so cathartic to make art from that position and if you can do it, sometimes it can be really healing too,” Burck emphasized. Her own experience of integrating her personal mental health journey into her artwork demonstrates how art can serve as both a therapeutic outlet and a method of self-discovery.
She has done many projects where she incorporates the theme of mental health. “‘I had a studio in New York until this past October, where I organized a group show focused on eating disorders. My artwork is generally centered on mental health, incorporating writing, installation, sculpture, and multimedia elements. Though I’m now working in fashion, I hope to continue making art. I’m currently reading Ugliness, which explores body image and perceptions of beauty, aligning with my ongoing interest in the intersection of mental health and body image.’”
Finally, Burck acknowledged the challenges of labeling MD and reflected on how she would approach her project differently. “If I were pitching the project again, I wouldn’t have used the term maladaptive daydreaming because I think the judges were turned off by it,” she admitted. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the validity and acceptance of MD in both clinical and artistic spheres.
Awareness and changes at U of M
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) can significantly impact students’ academic performance and overall well-being. While the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) does not offer resources specifically tailored to MD, several existing services may be beneficial for students grappling with its effects. Individual counseling at CAPS provides confidential psychological support, allowing students to discuss their experiences with MD and develop coping strategies. Additionally, CAPS offers mindfulness workshops that focus on self-compassion and distress management, which could help students regulate intrusive daydreaming patterns. These mindfulness workshops were also recommended by Dr. Somer, “Mindfulness practices may also be beneficial, though specific effectiveness data is limited.” Peer support programs, such as the Wolverine Support Network (WSN), offer safe spaces for students to share their struggles and receive support from peers. Said Burck, “just talking to someone helps.”
To better support students struggling with MD, CAPS could take steps to increase awareness among its staff and the student body. Providing training for CAPS therapists on MD would improve recognition and ensure that affected students receive appropriate guidance. Developing informational materials and workshops specifically addressing MD could also help students better understand their experiences and adopt effective coping strategies. Additionally, CAPS could collaborate with student-led mental health organizations to raise awareness and create peer support networks tailored to those experiencing MD. By expanding its services to include targeted support for maladaptive daydreaming, CAPS can better address the diverse mental health needs of the University of Michigan student community.
Burck’s journey offers valuable insight into how art can reflect, explore, and even challenge the ways in which we understand mental health, particularly emerging concepts like maladaptive daydreaming. Leaving us with a key takeaway about mental health, “leaning into it and being more curious rather than shameful of yourself is just so much healthier.”
Feature photo, a picture from Josie Burk’s Art on MD, showing the different characters she used to daydream of