The Comorbidity of Daydreaming Disorder (Maladaptive Daydreaming)

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2017 Jul;205(7):525-530. doi: 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.

MeSH terms

  • Adjustment Disorders* / classification
  • Adjustment Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Adjustment Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Dissociative Disorders* / classification
  • Dissociative Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Dissociative Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Fantasy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult