It’s just another day at school. 

Your teacher is lecturing about something along the lines of graphing trigonometric functions, but honestly, you don’t seem to remember. Why? Well, simply because you’re basking in the sunlight from the nearby window, and blithely imagining. Fantasizing about running in the softest of meadows, riding the luminescent waves of the sea, or even being an artist in the Renaissance Era. Entering another domain seems to be a getaway for all real-world issues, providing comfort to the serene cloud of the mind, for hours. 

For hours, and hours, after every click from the clock, comes a passing moment in this daydream; this concept is defined as “maladaptive daydreaming”. This constant urge to run away from the real-world situation, and to completely lose oneself in a reverie, can be associated with mental illnesses such as anxiety, OCD, and much more; this reverie is a complete contrast to your usual daydream, which isn’t as consistent or effective like maladaptive daydreaming. And yes, a great increase in these trances can be related to some common mental disorders, yet quite shockingly, not entirely identified as one. 

But what is the root of this complicated evergreen we call maladaptive daydreaming? Well, it’s the shadow that basks in the shed of your worries, like stress, depression, or trauma. This excessive daydreaming appears as a gateway to peace from the troubles that arise in daily life, creating a desire to do so every day, some of which last hours. Some of these influences also come from the social media apps we use daily, such as TikTok, in which a community called “shifters” had risen. This community has a foundation upon the belief of individuals who have the idea of being able to “shift” to different worlds, embedded into their minds. Additionally, Harvard Health Publishing stated, “…daydreams are often vivid and complex plots that elicit a great deal of emotion.” Diving deeper into this statement, let’s shift focus to an aspect of imagery. 

Let’s say you’re walking home from school, but in your mind, you’re a fierce warrior with a blade of emerald upon the grasp of your very palms. You’re walking down the stone-cold ground, to reach an ominous cave to where a furious dragon crept. With every step, comes a rushing wave of courage and pride, elevating your presence into the powerful character you portray to be. Amidst your relaxing thoughts, you hear someone calling your name from behind. Who is this mysterious individual seeking your attention? A comrade assisting you on your adventure-filled journey? Or maybe another obstacle to face in your endeavor to slay the infamous dragon? Nope, it was your mom calling you as you passed by the house, distracted from your mindful adventure. If you were thinking about something much more simple, like the scrumptious food you might eat once you get home, rather than this advanced plot, you might’ve just been able to stop yourself. This just goes to show that the more complex the dream is, the higher the chance of being engulfed in a reverie – like falling into the shallow end of a pool, completely isolated from everything else. 

Now let’s shift the scene to dimmed daylight, and the darkness arriving with invading little white specks, known as stars. You’re attempting to study for the trigonometry test you have tomorrow, the one that your teacher was lecturing about this morning, but instead, you continue to dream, exuberantly, yet eerily feeding into your desires. Tied in the elaborate web of daydreams for hours, as you lay down on your bed, continuing to play the reverie of warriors and wary creatures over and over again. 

With that, you now have a troubled sleep schedule. The inconsistency of being able to sleep slowly spreads to your other activities, such as being able to focus in class, the willingness to participate in your usual activities, and many more. Similarly, SleepFoundation.org expressed, “…people who daydream are more likely to have troubled sleep…which impairs one’s ability to focus, concentrate, and pay attention — all symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming.” With this in effect, the web of consistent trances is now so entrancing to the point that people you love start to worry. Just from the high coveting to be entranced into a fantasy, many effects come into play, portraying the few outcomes from maladaptive daydreaming. 

And finally, when you arrive at your math class the next day, you snap out of the continuous daydream, and sit down with the no. 2 pencil by your side, not an emerald sword. Your teacher is passing out the test sheets, not the dragon you were waiting for, and you finally see the test paper right in front of you, but now, instead of feeling accomplished and full of valor, you seem to be worried. All because of the fantasy you preferred to live through rather than prepare for just another sickening test.

So was it all just a memorable fantasy or curse?