Maladaptive Daydreaming and How It Can Interfere With Life

Maladaptive daydreaming goes beyond the typical activity, and enters a fantasy world alternative.Creative individuals, as autistics often tend to be, spend a lot of time daydreaming. It’s common, normal, and even healthy. However, when it becomes all-consuming and an escape, it crosses the line from a way to relax and imagine your future, it can become what is known as maladaptive dreaming. This type can become distracting and even keep you from living your best life.

It can be fun to daydream and imagine yourself with your latest crush, winning the lottery, or landing that high-paying job in a career you’ve always wanting to pursue. However, when you daydream excessively,  you start to ignore the real world, shirking responsibilities, friends, and family, and forgoing real joy for imagined joy.

It’s not to say that daydreaming can’t be fun. I’ve done it a lot when I was bored at school while growing up, and who hasn’t? There’s nothing wrong with it in moderation, but once you start overdoing it, it becomes an addiction, and any addiction can harm yourself and those you care about.

Imagination and inner thought processes are fundamental aspects of human cognition, allowing us to process experiences, plan for the future, and engage in creative thinking. However, for some individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, daydreaming can develop into an intense and sometimes all-consuming experience termed maladaptive daydreaming.

This extended blog post explores the relationship between autism and maladaptive daydreaming—examining what current research tells us about both, how they may intersect, and evidence-based approaches that can help individuals find a healthy balance between rich inner worlds and external engagement.

Understanding Maladaptive Daydreaming

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) describes an extensive form of immersive daydreaming that can interfere with normal functioning in daily life. This phenomenon was first identified and named by Professor Eli Somer of the University of Haifa in 2002, who defined it as “extensive fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and/or interferes with academic, interpersonal, or vocational functioning.”

Unlike typical daydreaming, which most people experience briefly and occasionally, maladaptive daydreaming is characterized by several distinctive features. People with MD typically spend several hours per day engaged in detailed fantasy worlds. These experiences are highly vivid, detailed, and emotionally engaging. The daydreams often involve elaborate plots, characters, and settings that develop over extended periods of time, creating complex narrative structures that can evolve over months or even years.

Physical manifestations commonly accompany the mental experience, with the daydreaming frequently accompanied by repetitive movements, pacing, or other physical activities. Specific stimuli, commonly music, can initiate or enhance the daydreaming experience, acting as reliable triggers for immersive episodes.

Despite the deep immersion, unlike psychosis, individuals with MD maintain awareness that their daydreams are not reality—this reality testing remains intact. Many report difficulty controlling the urge to daydream, with some describing it as compulsive or addictive in nature.

Research has found that people with maladaptive daydreaming score significantly higher on measures of fantasy proneness, dissociation, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms compared to non-maladaptive daydreamers.

Prevalence and Recognition

While maladaptive daydreaming is not yet formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), research interest has grown substantially since Somer’s initial description. A 2018 study published in Consciousness and Cognition estimated that approximately 2.5% of the general population may experience MD, though this figure varies across studies.

Escapism into a fantasy world can keep a person from living their best life. The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS), developed by Somer and colleagues, has been validated as a reliable measurement tool for assessing the presence and severity of maladaptive daydreaming. This 16-item scale measures characteristics including the compulsiveness of daydreaming, distress associated with it, and its impact on daily functioning.

Research suggests that maladaptive daydreaming may develop as a coping mechanism for various psychological challenges. Multiple studies have found correlations between traumatic experiences and the development of maladaptive daydreaming, suggesting that MD might serve as an escape extreme boredom or from difficult memories or emotions.

Social anxiety appears to be another significant correlate, as MD may provide a safe alternative to challenging real-world social interactions. The experience of loneliness is also commonly reported among those with MD, with imaginary companions and scenarios potentially compensating for limited real-world social connections. For those with heightened sensory sensitivities, daydreaming may offer a controllable alternative to overwhelming external stimuli.

While these associations have been documented in research, it’s important to note that not everyone who experiences these challenges will develop maladaptive daydreaming, suggesting that multiple factors, including potential neurobiological predispositions, likely contribute to its development.

Autism Spectrum Conditions: Relevant Characteristics

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Several common characteristics of autism may be particularly relevant when considering its potential relationship with maladaptive daydreaming.

Special Interests and Focused Attention

Autistic individuals often demonstrate intense focus on specific interests, sometimes referred to as “special interests” or “circumscribed interests.” These interests typically involve deep knowledge acquisition in specific domains, sustained attention on preferred topics or activities, strong emotional attachment to areas of interest, and detailed memory for facts and information in these areas.

This capacity for deep focus and attention to detail could potentially facilitate the development of elaborate daydream scenarios when directed toward imaginative content. The ability to maintain concentrated attention for extended periods might enable the creation and maintenance of complex fantasy worlds over time.

Sensory Processing Differences

Research consistently identifies sensory processing differences as a core feature of autism. These differences may include heightened awareness of sensory input (sometimes experienced as overwhelming), reduced responsiveness to certain sensory stimuli, active pursuit of specific sensory experiences, and deliberate avoidance of overwhelming sensory input.

These sensory differences may influence how autistic individuals interact with their environments and potentially make internal fantasy worlds appealing as environments where sensory experiences are predictable and controlled. Internal worlds offer the possibility of creating precisely calibrated sensory experiences that avoid the unpredictability and potential overwhelm of the external environment.

Social Communication and Interaction

Differences in social communication are defining characteristics of autism. Many autistic individuals experience challenges with interpreting social cues and nonverbal communication. Some find reciprocal conversation demanding or taxing. Understanding implicit social rules can require explicit learning rather than intuitive acquisition. Expressing and recognizing emotions may also follow different patterns than those typical of neurotypical communication.

These social communication differences can sometimes lead to social anxiety, rejection, or isolation, which research has suggested may contribute to increased daydreaming in some individuals. The social world can feel unpredictable and exhausting, potentially making fantasy worlds more appealing as spaces where social interaction follows predictable patterns and can be controlled by the daydreamer.

Repetitive Behaviors and Stimming

Many autistic individuals engage in repetitive movements or vocalizations known as “stimming” (self-stimulatory behavior). Stimming can serve various functions including emotional regulation, sensory regulation, expression of emotions, and self-soothing during stress or overwhelm.

The physical movements often associated with maladaptive daydreaming (such as pacing, rocking, or hand movements) may overlap with or be difficult to distinguish from stimming behaviors. This overlap raises interesting questions about the relationship between physical movement and internal cognitive states in both autism and maladaptive daydreaming.

The Connection of Autism and Maladaptive Daydreaming

While research specifically examining the relationship between autism and maladaptive daydreaming remains limited, several potential connections can be identified based on existing knowledge of both phenomena.

Executive Functioning Considerations

Executive functioning—which includes skills like cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory, and planning—can be affected in both autism and maladaptive daydreaming. Research has documented that challenges with transitioning between activities are common in autism, which may make it difficult to disengage from immersive daydreaming once it has begun.

Inhibitory control differences may contribute to difficulty resisting the urge to daydream. At the same time, working memory strengths often observed in autism may facilitate the maintenance of complex imaginary narratives.

The executive functioning profile commonly seen in autism could therefore contribute to the development of maladaptive daydreaming patterns and make them more difficult to modify once established.

Imagination in Autism

Imagination can become consuming if not kept in check, and living a fantasy world can disrupt the ability to live in the real world. Contrary to earlier misconceptions, research now recognizes that autistic individuals demonstrate varied and often significant imaginative capabilities. Studies have found that many autistic individuals show strengths in certain forms of creative thinking, particularly detail-focused and systematic creativity.

Imagination in autism may manifest differently than in neurotypical individuals, sometimes focusing on realistic scenarios, systematic worlds, or special interest-related themes. These immersive interests can create detailed mental frameworks that could potentially support elaborate daydreaming.

The particular quality of autistic imagination—often characterized by attention to detail, systematic thinking, and deep engagement with specific themes—may create fertile ground for the development of complex and immersive daydreaming experiences.

Social Compensation

For some autistic individuals who find real-world social interactions challenging or exhausting, daydreaming may provide a form of social compensation. Imaginary scenarios allow for social interaction without the unpredictability and complexity of real-world social engagement.

Fantasy worlds can offer social experiences where rules are clear and communication is straightforward. Characters in daydreams can be controlled and therefore more predictable than real people.

This compensatory function might be particularly compelling for autistic individuals who desire social connection but find its real-world manifestations overwhelming or confusing.

Sensory Regulation

Given the sensory processing differences common in autism, maladaptive daydreaming might serve as a form of sensory regulation. Internal worlds can provide relief from overwhelming external sensory stimuli. Daydreaming may offer control over sensory experiences that are unpredictable in the external world.

The repetitive movements often accompanying MD may provide proprioceptive input similar to certain stimming behaviors.

This sensory regulatory function could help explain why some autistic individuals find themselves drawn deeply into immersive daydreaming as a way of managing overwhelming sensory experiences.

Co-occurring Conditions

Both autism and maladaptive daydreaming show higher rates of co-occurrence with certain conditions, which may further influence their potential relationship. Heightened rates of anxiety disorders are documented in both autism and MD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) co-occurs frequently with autism and shares some features with MD, such as absorption in activities. Both conditions show associations with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, including intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

These overlapping co-occurring conditions suggest potential shared underlying mechanisms or risk factors that might contribute to both autism and maladaptive daydreaming. The presence of these conditions might exacerbate the tendency toward maladaptive daydreaming in autistic individuals who are already predisposed to immersive imaginative experiences.

Impact on Excessive Daydreaming and Daily Functioning

When extreme daydreaming occurs in autistic individuals, several domains of functioning may be affected.

Educational and Occupational Impact

Immersive daydreaming can interfere with academic and work performance through difficulty maintaining attention on required tasks when daydreaming is more compelling. Time management challenges often emerge when daydreaming consumes significant portions of the day. Reduced productivity can result when mental energy is directed toward fantasy rather than external tasks.

However, when channeled productively, the creative thinking associated with immersive imagination can also become an educational or occupational strength, particularly in creative fields. Many creative professionals report that their imaginative capacities, when structured and directed, contribute significantly to their professional success.

Social Relationships

The relationship between daydreaming and social functioning is complex. Excessive retreat into fantasy worlds may reduce opportunities for developing real-world social skills and relationships.

Time spent daydreaming may limit available time for social interaction. For some, however, daydreaming about social scenarios might actually help process and understand social interactions, serving as a form of social rehearsal or reflection.

The impact on social functioning therefore depends not only on the time spent daydreaming but also on the content of the daydreams and how they relate to real-world social experiences.

Self-Care and Daily Living

Practical aspects of daily functioning can be affected when daydreaming becomes highly absorbing. Basic self-care routines may be neglected or delayed when immersed in fantasy worlds. Sleep patterns can be disrupted when daydreaming occurs at bedtime. Eating regularly and maintaining physical activity may become secondary to daydreaming.

These practical impacts can create secondary problems that exacerbate existing challenges, as irregular sleep, nutrition, and exercise can affect cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall health.

Emotional Impact

The emotional consequences of maladaptive daydreaming for autistic individuals can be mixed. Fantasy worlds can provide comfort, emotional regulation, and a sense of control in an otherwise unpredictable world. However, excessive reliance on daydreaming for emotional needs may prevent the development of other coping strategies.

Some individuals report feelings of shame or distress about the amount of time spent daydreaming, particularly when it interferes with values and goals. The contrast between idealized fantasy worlds and real-life challenges can sometimes lead to disappointment or depression when reality fails to match imagination.

Understanding this emotional complexity is essential for developing supportive approaches that honor the value of imagination while addressing its potential downsides.

Assessment and Identification

Identifying maladaptive daydreaming in autistic individuals presents unique challenges. Many autistic individuals may not spontaneously report daydreaming unless directly asked, as internal experiences might not be readily shared.

The repetitive movements associated with MD may be misidentified as autism-related stimming rather than recognized as related to daydreaming. Special interests involving fictional worlds may be difficult to distinguish from maladaptive daydreaming. Self-awareness of daydreaming patterns may vary considerably among individuals.

Professionals working with autistic individuals might consider sensitively exploring questions about how much time is spent engaged in imaginative thoughts or scenarios, whether daydreaming interferes with desired activities or goals, what functions daydreaming serves for the individual, and whether the daydreaming is experienced as voluntary or difficult to control.

Harnessing Creative Potential

Escapism can be a great way to chill and relax, as long as there is a healthy balance.Rather than attempting to eliminate imaginative thinking, redirecting it toward productive outlets may be beneficial. Creative writing can transform daydream content into shareable stories. Visual arts allow for external expression of internal imagery. 

Game design or world-building activities can give structure to imaginative content. Role-playing games provide social contexts for imaginative scenarios.

Research suggests that creative engagement can be particularly meaningful for many autistic individuals and may provide important benefits for communication and well-being.

 By channeling imagination externally, its benefits can be maintained while reducing some of its potential drawbacks.

Environmental Modifications

Adjusting the environment to reduce both daydreaming triggers and the need for escape through daydreaming can be effective. Creating sensory-friendly environments that reduce overload may decrease the need for escape through daydreaming.

Establishing clear schedules and routines can facilitate transitions between activities. Incorporating regular movement breaks addresses the need for physical activity that might otherwise manifest through daydreaming-related movements. Using visual supports can maintain focus on external tasks.

These environmental modifications acknowledge the role of external factors in triggering or maintaining daydreaming patterns.

Social Supports and Skill Development

Addressing social challenges directly may reduce reliance on fantasy for social fulfillment. Social skills groups specifically designed for autistic individuals can provide structured opportunities to develop social competence.

Peer mentoring and support groups offer real-world social connection with others who share similar experiences. Interest-based social activities create natural contexts for social interaction centered around motivating topics.

Online communities may serve as bridges between internal and external social experiences, offering connection with reduced social demands.

Embracing Neurodivergent Imagination

An important perspective gaining recognition is that rich imaginative experiences represent a potential strength of neurodivergent cognition rather than simply a problem to be fixed. This perspective acknowledges that immersive imagination can be a source of joy, creativity, and emotional processing. Fantasy can provide important cognitive tools for understanding complex concepts.

Creative thinking often emerges from the same cognitive patterns that can lead to daydreaming. Many significant cultural contributions have come from individuals with intense imaginative lives.

The goal of intervention, therefore, may not be to eliminate daydreaming but rather to find balance—allowing imagination to flourish while ensuring it doesn’t interfere with desired life goals and activities. This balanced approach respects the value of neurodivergent cognitive styles while addressing practical concerns about functioning.

The relationship between autism and maladaptive daydreaming represents an emerging area of understanding that merits further research and clinical attention.

While excessive fantasy engagement can indeed create challenges for daily functioning, it also reflects the rich internal lives and creative potential of many autistic individuals.

By taking a balanced approach that acknowledges both the potential challenges and the unique strengths associated with immersive imagination, autistic individuals and those who support them can work toward a relationship with daydreaming that enhances rather than detracts from overall quality of life.

READ MORE: Autism in the Future: Optimism for Improved Perception and Embracement

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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