The first scientific studies on daydreaming date back to the 1990s. These studies demonstrated that the brain continues to function actively and generate thoughts even in the absence of external stimuli. In this context, neuroscientific research suggests that the brain regions activated during daydreaming differ from those responsible for attention, control, and goal-directed cognitive processes (Sarıgül, 2015).
Daydreaming is a natural mental activity that most individuals engage in during daily life. It is known to be used more frequently by individuals working in creativity-based fields. In recent years, it has been emphasized that, in addition to its positive contributions, daydreaming may also lead to negative outcomes in certain situations. From a positive perspective, daydreaming has been shown to support problem-solving processes and facilitate creativity (Soffer-Dudek & Somer, 2018).
However, Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) emerges as a negative dimension of daydreaming. The most fundamental feature that distinguishes Maladaptive Daydreaming from normal daydreaming is that the behavior occurs intensely and uncontrollably during daytime hours (Suttie, 2018).
While most individuals generally engage in daydreaming before sleep at night, it is reported that individuals with this condition spend a large portion of the day daydreaming, which negatively affects daily functioning. These individuals spend almost their entire day in their fantasy worlds, and their connection with real life becomes weakened (Schimmenti et al., 2019).
Some studies involving interviews with individuals thought to have this condition have shown that participants reported creating different characters in their minds and often being unable to be alone with themselves (Bigelsen et al., 2016).
Although research on the causes of Maladaptive Daydreaming is quite limited, it is generally suggested that it may develop as a defense mechanism in response to stressful life events and childhood traumas (Mansuklal et al., 2025).
In addition, Maladaptive Daydreaming has been reported to show significant associations with various psychopathological conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Musetti et al., 2023). This situation is considered an important factor that complicates the diagnosis of Maladaptive Daydreaming (Schimmenti et al., 2019).
For this reason, not every act of daydreaming should be evaluated as negative or pathological. As long as daydreaming does not significantly affect an individual’s daily life, academic performance, or social relationships, it is considered a normal mental process.
Moreover, Maladaptive Daydreaming is not included as a separate diagnostic category in the DSM-5, which contains the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. Therefore, it is more often addressed as a psychological phenomenon, and there is no consensus in the literature regarding its diagnosis (Musetti et al., 2023). The ongoing debate highlights the importance of distinguishing between adaptive imagination and clinically impairing psychopathology.
References
Bigelsen, J., Lehrfeld, J. M., Jopp, D. S., & Somer, E. (2016). Maladaptive daydreaming: Evidence for an under-researched mental health disorder. Consciousness and Cognition, 42, 254–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2016.03.017
Mansuklal, Ş. A., Pascoal, P. M., Somer, E., Costa, İ. B., & Andersson, G. (2025). What is known about maladaptive daydreaming? A scoping review. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 32(4), Article e70104. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70104
Musetti, A., Gori, A., Michelini, G., Di Monte, C., Franceschini, C., & Mariani, R. (2023). Are defense styles mediators between traumatic experiences and maladaptive daydreaming? Current Psychology, 42, 26683–26691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03708-5
Sarıgül, T. (2015). Aklın sınırlarının ötesine yolculuk: Hayal kurmak. TÜBİTAK Bilim Genç Dergisi.
Schimmenti, A., Somer, E., & Regis, M. (2019). Maladaptive daydreaming: Towards a nosological definition. Annales Médico-psychologiques, revue psychiatrique, 177(9), 865–874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amp.2019.08.014
Soffer-Dudek, N., & Somer, E. (2018). Trapped in a daydream: Daily elevations in maladaptive daydreaming are associated with daily psychopathological symptoms. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, Article 194. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00194
Suttie, J. (2018, February 14). How mind-wandering may be good for you. Greater Good Magazine.