Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Could immersive daydreaming underlie a deficit in attention? The prevalence and characteristics of maladaptive daydreaming in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Daydreaming and Attention in ADHD
Nitzan Theodor-Katz, Eli Somer, Rinatya M. Hesseg, Nirit Soffer-Dudek
Summarized by:
June 14, 2023
study source
Journal of Clinical Psychology
March 2022
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What they studied
This study wanted to examine the link between daydreaming and ADHD.
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What they found
Less than a quarter of those with ADHD had maladaptive daydreaming, a term for problematic severe daydreaming.
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What this means
While day dreaming is common in ADHD, this and other similar studies suggest that maladaptive daydreaming may be a separate but linked condition to ADHD.
Could immersive daydreaming underlie a deficit in attention? The prevalence and characteristics of maladaptive daydreaming in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Objectives
While it is entirely normal to daydream, it can sometimes be harmful. For some, daydreaming can be so immersive and engaging that it affects their everyday life and functioning.
Researchers call this maladaptive daydreaming. This condition has often been associated with ADHD since many of us picture a child daydreaming in class when we think about ADHD.
This study wanted to examine how closely linked maladaptive daydreaming is to ADHD.
Study Quote
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) entails excessive immersion and engagement in complex fantasy worlds, causing distress and impairing functioning. Maladaptive Daydreamers often report that existing diagnostic labels are unhelpful for them. Previous studies reported high rates of comorbid att...
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Methods
Researchers assessed 83 adults with ADHD for their symptoms, mental health, and daydreaming habits.
They performed a full maladaptive daydreaming assessment for those who had evidence of excessive daydreaming.
Study Quote
Adults diagnosed with ADHD (Nā=ā83) were assessed for ADHD symptoms, MD, depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. Participants who exceeded the study's cutoff score for suspected MD were invited to participate in a structured diagnostic interview for MD.
Results
The results showed that 22% of those with ADHD e the full criteria for maladaptive daydreaming.
This is lower than some other estimates and suggests that maladaptive daydreaming may be a related but mostly separate condition from ADHD.
Those with ADHD and maladaptive daydreaming experienced more depressive symptoms, less self-esteem, and more loneliness than those with ADHD who did not have maladaptive daydreaming.
A study on daydreaming and ADHD found that those who daydreamed excessively, to the point where it affected their everyday life and function, experienced more loneliness, more depressive symptoms, and less self-esteem.
Study Quote
In accordance with the hypothesis, only 20.5% of the ADHD sample met the proposed diagnostic criteria for MD. Compared with ADHD-only participants, this subgroup presented increased depression, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem.
Conclusions
These results showed that maladaptive daydreaming is likely a different clinical condition from ADHD. Many diagnosed with ADHD might be daydreamers. However, more research is needed before fully understanding maladaptive daydreaming and its link to ADHD.
The data on ADHD severity and maladaptive daydreaming suggest these are intertwined conditions. Maladaptive daydreaming may be associated with more severe ADHD symptoms, similar to how anxiety is associated with more severe ADHD symptoms.
Study Quote
MD has unique clinical characteristics that are distinct from ADHD. We suggest that in some cases presenting with ADHD symptoms, an MD conceptualization may better explain the clinical picture. Future research should aim at a better differentiation of daydreaming, ADHD, and related const...
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