Daydreaming is inarguably a universal experience; one that serves as a brief mental break from the pressures of school, social life, and the barrage of expectations constantly barreling towards you. I, for one, have fallen victim to this very practice. Whether it be in the sanctuary of my own room, the car, or sometimes in class, I often find myself subject to some very immersive, convoluted daydreams. Pretty typical though, right? However, when these daydreams start to take over daily life, they can become what experts refer to as maladaptive daydreaming. Although not officially recognized as a mental disorder, this phenomenon is increasingly common among students who find themselves lost in elaborate fantasies, often at the expense of real world responsibilities.
Maladaptive daydreaming is more than just a passing distraction. It involves prolonged and immersive episodes of fantasizing that interfere with academic performance, social interactions, and even sleep. According to Sciencedirect.com, Dr. Eli Somer, the psychologist who first identified the phenomenon, describes it as an “a newly defined clinical condition characterized by an excessive and extremely vivid fantasy activity with a profound sense of presence, capable of generating powerful emotions” and something that “interferes with individual’s normal functioning and results in painful distress.” In other words, what might start as a harmless escape can evolve into a disruptive habit.
Many students face the stress from academic pressures, social challenges, and personal expectations, and for some, daydreaming provides a temporary reprieve from such obstacles, being given a chance to create an alternate reality where problems seem manageable or basically non-existent.
“It feels like a safe haven,” said Jeree Apan (10). “Sometimes I lose track of time and forget about everything else because the world I create feels so real.”
The allure of an idealized version of life can be particularly compelling when school or personal circumstances feel overwhelming. The brain’s natural response to stress is to seek comfort, and in some cases, the mind can create these vivid escapes that provide that sense of immediate relief. However, when these mental respites become a habitual escape mechanism, students might find that they struggle to concentrate, miss deadlines, or even withdraw from physical, face-to-face interactions. Generally, daydreaming has its merits. In fact, you’ll find that many students use daydreams as a way to explore new ideas or imagine better futures, a practice that, in itself, isn’t harmful.
“I just enjoy daydreaming whenever I’m bored,” said Eric Villarama (9). “It’s nothing overly complicated or excessive; it’s just something I enjoy whenever I have the time.”
However, when such escapades become so immersive that they replace real life interactions, they lose their benefits.
Overall, the key to all the madness is simply finding a balance. Healthy daydreaming should complement, not compromise, academic performance and social interactions. So, there is indeed a fine line to be acknowledged between healthy escapism and interference with daily life.
“I think the most important thing is to just be aware,” said Hannah Uesugi (10). “I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to daydream, but I think it becomes a real problem when you let your fantasy world bleed into and negatively affect your real life interactions. The best thing to do is simply recognize that there’s an entire world around you full of so many wonderful opportunities, you’d do yourself a disservice by not making the most of it.”
