Maladaptive Daydreaming on Clubhouse

Description

If you are experiencing Maladaptive Daydreaming, please join and let's talk.

MD is, generally, a coping mechanism in response to trauma, abuse or loneliness that leads the maladaptive daydreamer to conjure a complex imaginary world for them to escape into in times of distress, or loneliness, or maybe, even helplessness in real life.

MD is a form of dissociating oneself from the real world, and getting absorbed into fantasies and mental imagery comprising vivid alternative universes, usually involving elaborate scenarios — that the individual prefers over reality.

People suffering from this condition consider it a disorder because it often interferes with the individuals’ social, academic or professional life, especially so, if they begin to replace human interactions with fantasy. It is an escapist method of avoiding real interactions with families, friends or colleagues.

This condition was first identified and christened by Eli Somer, Israeli Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Haifa, during his study on dissociative behaviors in 2002. Symptoms -

- The fantasies are so captivating and immersive that the daydreamers isolate themselves from others to spend more time in their dreams.

- Episodes being abnormally long, the daydreaming hours are also unusually high.

- Hinders daily activities.

- Minor triggers or stimuli will immediately transgress into scenes associated with it.

- Unstopping visualizations leading to insomnia.

- Making strange facial expressions.

- Repetitive body motions such as pacing or rocking.