A cognitive approach to maladaptive daydreaming: a case report

Shanbhag, Trusha ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0002-2168 and Pothiyil, Dan Isaac ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8937-8696 (2024) A cognitive approach to maladaptive daydreaming: a case report. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0975-1564

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Abstract

Background of the study: Maladaptive daydreaming (MDD) is a mental activity that develops from unconscious material but differs from normal daydreaming in terms of experience, content, quantity, control, distress, and interference with everyday living. Dreaming often involves fantasizing about an idealized self, which includes motifs of companionship, romance, and compensatory scripts like power, escape, and rescue. The MDD is understood as a form of unusual imagination that is vivid and addictive but impedes academic and occupational responsibilities. Individuals report narratives that feature their idealized selves or characters, which are conflicting but rewarding, thus resulting in repetitive episodes of MDD. Materials and method: The present study explored the phenomenon of MDD and evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a single case intervention study of a 24-year-old male with MDD. The patient was assessed using the MDD Scale (MDS-16). The data were collected at baseline and treatment termination. The intervention for the patient was conducted in four phases: building coping skills, behavior modification, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention. Results: The data analysis showed a decrease in scores between baseline (66) and treatment termination (32), below the cut-off of 40, indicating a significant reduction in the symptoms. Conclusion: MDD is associated with emotional and functional distress. A tailor-made cognitive approach to the intervention effectively reduced the symptoms of MDD.