Daydreaming can be a perfectly normal part of life - zoning out in the shower, before we fall asleep, on the train to work. But some of us cross over into dangerous territory or what we call maladaptive daydreaming where we can't pull ourselves away from the fantasy. We feel disconnected and it makes our real life feel so much less bright and enjoyable. It can cause us a lot of distress and distraction. Why is that? And why can't we stop ourselves? In today's episode, we break down: 
What makes daydreaming 'maladaptive' or 'excessive' 
What are the signs + the 16 item scale for maladaptive daydreaming
The impact on our emotional health 
Maladaptive daydreaming and creativity 
Maladaptive daydreaming, trauma, anxiety and OCD 
Is daydreaming a form of escapism?
How to turn daydreaming into intentional visualisation 

Thank you to our listeners who contributed their perspective. Happy listening! 

The 16 item scale here: https://traumadissociation.com/mds

The Reddit help group: https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Daydreaming can be a perfectly normal part of life - zoning out in the shower, before we fall asleep, on the train to work. But some of us cross over into dangerous territory or what we call maladaptive daydreaming where we can't pull ourselves away from the fantasy. We feel disconnected and it makes our real life feel so much less bright and enjoyable. It can cause us a lot of distress and distraction. Why is that? And why can't we stop ourselves? In today's episode, we break down: 
<ul>
<li>What makes daydreaming 'maladaptive' or 'excessive' </li>
<li>What are the signs + the 16 item scale for maladaptive daydreaming</li>
<li>The impact on our emotional health </li>
<li>Maladaptive daydreaming and creativity </li>
<li>Maladaptive daydreaming, trauma, anxiety and OCD </li>
<li>Is daydreaming a form of escapism?</li>
<li>How to turn daydreaming into intentional visualisation </li>
</ul>
Thank you to our listeners who contributed their perspective. Happy listening! 
The 16 item scale here: <a href="https://traumadissociation.com/mds">https://traumadissociation.com/mds</a> 
The Reddit help group: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/">https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/</a> 
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 



For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

New merchandise here: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 
 
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
New merchandise here: <a href="https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/">https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/</a>

The Psychology of your 20s

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 



For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

New merchandise here: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 
 
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
New merchandise here: <a href="https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/">https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/</a>

242. The psychology of maladaptive daydreaming

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/57640cd6-c89c-435e-b2b4-b21400244aa8/transcript

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