‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition

Introduction Daydreaming is a normal, very common experience in childhood and adulthood. However, a new phenomenon – termed ‘Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD)’ – which takes daydreaming to an extreme form, is currently being investigated. Maladaptive Daydreaming is not listed as an official disorder in...

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Main Author: C. Thorburn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2023-03-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823020163/type/journal_article
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author C. Thorburn
author_facet C. Thorburn
author_sort C. Thorburn
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Daydreaming is a normal, very common experience in childhood and adulthood. However, a new phenomenon – termed ‘Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD)’ – which takes daydreaming to an extreme form, is currently being investigated. Maladaptive Daydreaming is not listed as an official disorder in the ICD-10 or DSM-5 presently. Objectives I aimed to review current literature on MD and explore whether there is a possibility for MD to eventually be acknowledged and classified as a real psychiatric disorder. Methods I gathered information via academic papers found through reliable sites, such as, Ovid, PubMed and Cochrane, and through articles, videos and online forums to gather patients’ perspectives. Results My research intimated that there is enough information and literature available to create specific criteria to qualify a diagnosis of MD in patients. Possible aetiologies of Maladaptive Daydreaming have been identified. There has also been exploration into treatment options. Conclusions Overall, I believe there is sufficient evidence for Maladaptive Daydreaming to be classified as an official disorder. Being included in the ICD-10 and DSM-5 would motivate research, expand identification of this disorder in patients, and advance access to help and support for patients. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
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spelling doaj.art-ede7c0d109f2442a830f020fdac8218e2023-11-17T05:05:22ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852023-03-0166S951S95110.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2016‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new conditionC. Thorburn0Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, United Kingdom Introduction Daydreaming is a normal, very common experience in childhood and adulthood. However, a new phenomenon – termed ‘Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD)’ – which takes daydreaming to an extreme form, is currently being investigated. Maladaptive Daydreaming is not listed as an official disorder in the ICD-10 or DSM-5 presently. Objectives I aimed to review current literature on MD and explore whether there is a possibility for MD to eventually be acknowledged and classified as a real psychiatric disorder. Methods I gathered information via academic papers found through reliable sites, such as, Ovid, PubMed and Cochrane, and through articles, videos and online forums to gather patients’ perspectives. Results My research intimated that there is enough information and literature available to create specific criteria to qualify a diagnosis of MD in patients. Possible aetiologies of Maladaptive Daydreaming have been identified. There has also been exploration into treatment options. Conclusions Overall, I believe there is sufficient evidence for Maladaptive Daydreaming to be classified as an official disorder. Being included in the ICD-10 and DSM-5 would motivate research, expand identification of this disorder in patients, and advance access to help and support for patients. Disclosure of Interest None Declaredhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823020163/type/journal_article
spellingShingle C. Thorburn
‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
European Psychiatry
title ‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
title_full ‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
title_fullStr ‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
title_full_unstemmed ‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
title_short ‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
title_sort maladaptive daydreaming an introduction to a new condition
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823020163/type/journal_article
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