Somer, E., Soffer-Dudek, N., & Ross, C. A. (2017). The Comorbidity of Daydreaming Disorder (Maladaptive Daydreaming)

Somer, E., Soffer-Dudek, N., & Ross, C. A. (2017).  https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000685 

Abstract

To determine the comorbidity profile of individuals meeting criteria for a proposed new disorder, daydreaming disorder (more commonly known as maladaptive daydreaming [MD]), the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders were administered to 39 participants who met criteria for MD on a structured interview.

We determined high rates of comorbidity: 74.4% met criteria for more than three additional disorders, and 41.1% met criteria for more than four. The most frequent comorbid disorder was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (76.9%); 71.8% met criteria for an anxiety disorder, 66.7% for a depressive disorder, and 53.9% for an obsessive-compulsive or related disorder. Notably, 28.2% have attempted suicide. Individuals meeting criteria for MD have complex psychiatric problems spanning a range of DSM-5 disorders.

This finding provides evidence that MD is different than normal daydreaming and that these individuals experience considerable distress and impairment.

Further Information

Unfortunately, the full version of this paper isn’t available for free. You might find more details online if you’re interested.

If you’d like to learn more, the author has kindly given permission for his contact details to be shared. 

Prof. Eli Somer: eli.somer@me.com 

Prof. Nirit Soffer-Dudek: soffern@bgu.ac.il