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ForwardUpdating Ourselves about Fantasy: Maladaptive Daydreaming
Abstract
Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD, Somer, et al 2017, Soffer-Dudeck et al, 2025) is a recently described form of addiction to elaborate and time-consuming storied daydreaming. Maladaptive daydreamers spend extended periods of every day addictively immersed in fantastical, grandiose, romantic or aggressive fantasies, to the detriment of their work, school or social relationships. With a reported prevalence of 2.4% in the normal population, rising to 9%-13% in traumatized populations, MD is unrecognized but not uncommon in clinical settings. This presentation will outline the etiology, functions and most common themes of MD and describe some typical indicators the Maladaptive Daydreaming may be present.The continuity of fantasy life as a through-line from implicit/unconscious relational fantasy to ordinary daydreaming and finally to how relational fantasy is represented in MD will be traced. Important comorbidities will be highlighted, particularly the higher prevalence of MD in neurodivergent populations: ADHD/ADD, ASD and Giftedness (West, 2022, Nowacki, 2026). Current research indicates that patients are typically very reluctant to reveal the content or extensive nature of their daydreaming to their therapists even in long therapies, and many non-psychodynamic therapists do not think to ask about fantasy life at all. Many psychologists/psychotherapists will have encountered and treated these MD patients on an individual basis, but are not able to identify addictive daydreaming as a clinical entity in patients who are reluctant to reveal the extent of their fantasy life. A section on differential diagnosis will indicate the differences and overlaps with other dissociative phenomena. Three current treatment directions will be described using case examples. Suggestions for a “low intrusion” approach for patients who are reluctant to share fantastical, grandiose or aggressive fantasy content will be outlined. Awareness of the typical indicators of excessive /addictive daydreaming and an understanding of the clinical populations in which MD is most likely to occur will permit mental health practitioners to treat these patients more effectively
Target Audience
Beginning/Introductory
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe common indicators that Maladaptive Daydreaming may be present
- Explain the continuity of fantasy elements from implicit/unconscious relational fantasy to storied fantasy addiction
- Identify MD as a rarely disclosed comorbidity in some ADD, ASD and Gifted individuals
- Apply a "low intrusion pathway" to work with fantasy material in patients who are reluctant to disclose grandiose, aggressive or fantastical content
- Utilize the empirically validated assessment instrument: The 16 Item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) and access the empirical research literature
Susan Meindl, MA
Susan Meindl is a Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in private practice in Montreal. She is a graduate of the McGill Counselling Psychology program, a member of the Order des Psychologues du Quebec, the Ordre des Conseillers et Conseillères d'Orientation du Québec, and a member of the Quebec-English, Canadian and International Psychoanalytic Associations.
Available Credit
- 1.50 APAThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 1.50 ASWB ACEThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
- 1.50 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.