ADHD and maladaptive daydreaming are two conditions that appear to be correlated. Many individuals find that they have maladaptive daydreaming in addition to their previously diagnosed ADHD. Or conversely, after realizing that they struggle with maladaptive daydreaming find the link to a previously undiagnosed ADHD diagnosis.
The relationship between maladaptive daydreaming and several different disorders, like ADHD, is part of the reasoning for the debate on whether maladaptive daydreaming is a disorder itself, or a symptom of other disorders.
A 2017 study found that ADHD was the most common disorder related to maladaptive daydreaming with about 77% of maladaptive daydreamers also having ADHD.
While many people with ADHD daydream intensely, not everyone with ADHD maladaptively daydreams. While having ADHD daydreaming tendencies could lead to maladaptive daydreaming due to the tendencies of those with ADHD to have vivid daydreams and difficulty self-regulating in order to stop them. However, until this develops into a compulsion that produces negative emotions when one isn’t allowed to daydream and interferes with your ability to function in your day-to-day life, this daydreaming is not maladaptive.
Daydreaming on its own is not bad in itself. It can be a great tool for problem-solving and creativity when under control. However, when uncontrolled it can quickly become a nightmare that takes over your life.
Some believe that those with ADHD especially have a hard time turning off the daydreaming switch for tasks that seem tedious or boring. Furthermore, they believe that they require much bigger incentives to flip the switch back to reality. Could this be true with maladaptive daydreaming as well?
Will maladaptive daydreamers have to seek out only those things that they truly love to have a fulfilling life in the present? For many of us who have discovered we are daydreamers later in life, this could mean huge life changes. Perhaps it could mean a change in career, marriage, friends, etc. Another study done by Harvard suggests that the frequency of daydreaming correlates to an unhappier life.
The relationship between maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD could suggest that the answer to taking back your life and gaining control of your maladaptive daydreaming is a combination of identifying what is causing your unhappiness while also treating your ADHD which may be making it even harder for you to come back to reality. To gain help with your maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD, we recommend speaking to a qualified professional who can provide personalized solutions for your specific situation.
To connect with other maladaptive daydreamers, join the Maladaptive Daydreaming Forum.
