We all get lost in our thoughts from time to time. While imagining different scenarios in your head is common, when these daydreams turn into delusions, they can affect your mental and even physical health.
What is 'Maladaptive daydreaming'?
'Maladaptive daydreaming' occurs when a person engages in prolonged periods of daydreaming, often for hours, usually to cope with a particular problem in life.
This causes considerable inconvenience and damage. A person becomes so consumed by their daydreaming that they may fail to complete chores and other daily tasks, or begin to withdraw from friends and family.
However, 'maladaptive daydreaming' is not a mental illness. The person experiencing maladaptive daydreaming does not confuse what is imagined with reality, but the symptoms often cause significant emotional distress and negatively affect a person's daily functioning.
Signs include:
-avoidance of interaction and social activities;
- the inability to perform work or other daily tasks;
- extreme feelings of shame or guilt;
-feeling a compulsive need to daydream that you can't control.
Causes of 'Maladaptive daydreaming'
Although the cause of maladaptive daydreaming is unknown, experts believe it may be a coping mechanism for other mental health disorders. And while it can occur independently, maladaptive daydreaming is often seen alongside other mental health disorders.
Some common mental health-related disorders include:
- anxiety;
- depression;
-obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Treatment for maladaptive daydreaming should be customized based on your individual needs and health history. There is no standard treatment for it, but treating other mental health-related conditions can help. Treatment options for these may include:
- psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT);
-anti-anxiety medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Therapy can help you better understand why maladaptive daydreaming is happening and, if necessary, learn coping strategies for past trauma. Therapy can also help improve your overall mental health.
Improving your mental and physical health helps not only to treat but also to prevent 'inappropriate dreaming'.
Other prevention strategies include:
- improving the quality of sleep;
- establishing a healthy diet and an exercise routine;
- reducing stress by being exposed to sunlight;
- breathing exercises.
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