Music in maladaptive daydreaming

In this video prof. Eli Somer discusses the outcome of his recent study on the role of music during maladaptive daydreaming and its impact on the fantasy expfeince.

[@saea82]

In my experience as a maladaptive daydreamer, music was always accompanied by repetitive movement, (pacing, in my case), both making daydream easier, more fluid, enjoyable and longer- lasting, maybe more addictive. It also works as a soundtrack and a source of inspiration for your inner movie.

[@ryyreads]

Same for me as well

[@SomerClinic]

See kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGeag62if8l0i8U

[@_bloodymarii]

Exactly how i feel

[@NomadsLost]

Same for me!

[@KurtisTheChoctawIndian]

Yes. I have to face a certain direction when I “perform”. Even when I’m jogging. I perform to Jog on the street versus a sidewalk. I need open space and no interruptions when I’m mentally performing while jogging.

[@eterusilvers3919]

As an immersive daydreamer I must say: You are the only person I saw thus far who seems to have a pretty good understanding about all of this without having the trait yourself

[@rachanav4003]

Hats off sir for your work, for many years wondering what was the real cause ..its not depression, anxiety etc .its maladaptive daydreaming...the points like 1) music 2) imagination,fantasy 3) Happiness 4) idealistic world etc.. I think -People get depressed when they have conflict between the real world and imagined world... -I definitely feel maladaptive dreamers are extremely intelligent... -There is definitely a connection between maladaptive dreaming and 'Laziness'. Sir I really like to converse with you.Thank you.

[@Cendaya]

I almost always daydream with headphones on. Everything from music to interviews is included... Sometimes, you quickly change the song to match the situation and mood in the daydream, or you repeat it thousands of times. I'm a 90s kid and grew up with CDs. I always had to change the CD to get to a different song. MP3 players, and later on wireless headphones and KZbin, were a game changer for me as a MD. My imagination and creativity are so advanced that I now even use scenes from Netflix series on my phone. Over the years, it has become more intense and detailed. The strange thing is, I'm German, but in my daydreams, I always speak English. This means that all the songs, interviews, and series i use are and have to be in English. I've been doing it since I was six years old, and now I'm 33, and as a result, I understand and speak very good english.

[@IlginOner-n9f]

Before I learned about all this maladaptive dreaming concept I thought I was the only one person in this world that was pacing - walking around like crazy in my room listening music, creating my dream world in my head. The characters in my scenarios are mostly from the real world. God, I am now 40 and have been doing this since I was 15. Now, this is a important part of my life and it is highly addictive and yes music is always my strongest trigger. Human brain is just unbelievable !

[@harshpandey6953]

Me doing the same thing ... Should I stop it completely or should I do very little ? What's your take on this and also tell me how's your life has affected by these daydreaming and if you have not would it be very beneficial???

[@Ang36914]

I’m glad maladaptive daydreaming is getting more attention and more people are talking about it to better understand it. It’s something I’ve struggled with since I was very young and something which has taken up a lot of time, energy and sleep. I think those of us who use maladaptive daydreaming are creative, solitary types who enjoy storytelling, whether it’s in a song or in our imaginations. Hearing this helps me better understand MD and how it works, which might help me manage it better. I’ve been able to reduce it but it’s very difficult.

[@3catsn1dog]

It has to be the right music for what is happening in the story you are creating too. Just like in a movie it has to go with what is happening in your story. I know it's called maladaptive daydreaming, but I always just thought of it as wool gathering or making up stories in my mind. It gave me relief from my unhappy life, and it was cheaper than booze or drugs. I know it would have been better to do things to improve my life though. When I was growing up, I didn't have options to improve my life.

[@IsabelleNico]

I've been dealing with MD for 14 years now. And music is definitely my strongest trigger. But what intrigues me is that while pacing, I tend to make the volume higher when coming to the climax of my daydreamings. And it is not the same if one side of my earbuds is not working, I really need the total immersion of loud music to get to the highest points of my daydreaming. And I worry that this may cause me some kind of auditory damage in the future. I have to ask my mother to hide the my headphones, because it is such an addiction that I forget to eat, to sleep, to shower and do basic chores. I'm considering of throwing them off already and accepting that I'm a person who cannot enjoy music as the others...

[@livyf250]

Me too. I hurt my ears doing this. I usually listen to music from action movies and both sides of the headphones also need to be working. I always walk from one side to the other, my feet are always hurt (I only walk barefoot)

[@דניאל-ש2ה]

@@livyf250yes I understand you maybe try Mindfulness meditation but for long term, do it for 6 month

[@3catsn1dog]

Yes, music adds to it and enhances the experience. It helps you get into the zone.

[@benjaminbaltar2952]

thx eli for putting you energy in research and defining mdd! i have mdd since i am a little kid and it totally dominated huge parts of my life. i am just happy to see that it is recognized as something more global or in a way common. for a long time i thought that i am the only person who has this. so, thx again, hope you have a good time!

[@kaiklimecka8963]

Thank you so much, that you take your time and effort into not only informing the public to this quite serious addiction, but also us, that we fell less alone and odd. This sickness has ruined my life and took over it. But still, it s hard to stop, because it can take away my pain however in the end left me with more of it. Music is my escape and huge trigger, I especially need loud music and i am seriously worried about my hearing. For my daydreams i use very loud music for several hours a day for almost ten years:( For the last three to for i had very bad ear pain, migrains, tinnitus, toothache etc. And still even do i know the risk i am not able to stop it. It totally took control over me and i know most people even doctors will laugh this problem off. It means a lot that you have seen it as problem and that you try to help us. I wish i had a doctor like you. I wish more people were as emphatic, thoughtfull and kind❤

[@h4ks3lr1]

Hey dear i have something to share with you about this same issue

[@Ang36914]

Thank you for sharing your story. It makes me feel less alone. I also listen to loud music and have for years, whether with speakers or headphones. I’m also worried about my hearing. A few things that have helped me reduce it are looking at my decibel levels on my phone (it tracks it), using Stoic thinking to weigh the short term vs long term benefits of MD if I engage in it, and keeping myself active and social. It is so, so hard to resist it sometimes, but I have read of cases where people have altogether stopped it or reduced it like me. So there’s hope for us all 🥹

[@saracafiero4643]

I’m one of the few MDers who doesn’t use music to daydream, but not because it distracts me, just because I don’t need it to reach a certain level of intensity. Still, many times when listening to music even without daydreaming I can very easily detach from reality, like I’m inside the music or I am the music, and that’s all that exists. It can be a bit trance like, but thankfully a trance where I’m still aware of my surroundings and what I’m doing.

[@juliewilson4847]

This is the very best explanation of maladaptive daydreaming.

[@ThotaYaminiPoorna]

Thank you for the information sir. You are really helping us in spreading the knowledge on this topic. When I am day dreaming music intensify that feeling which makes me think or feel like that my day dream is really happening. But long ago when i was in schooling, i used to do day dream like 20 hours a day. I used to sleep for 1 or 2 hours hardly. I was like that for nearly 2 years and i understood it is not good. Then while i was searching for the solution which i cannot share this problem to anyone. Karnatic music came into my mind which had 8 letters. I started learning Karnatic music and i started practicing that in night just to empty my energy for day dreaming. To my surpirse it worked for me. Within 2 hours i used to get sleep. Because i feel that atleast i need sleep. And karnatic music also makes me to be in reality a little bit. But still today sometimes i had urge to keep music(movie songs) while i day dream. I always keep trying different ways to stop. And your videos are really helping to realize the background of my brain for day dreaming. And i am really looking forward for more research on maladaptive day dreaming. Thank you sir

[@n.w.aicecube5713]

Mindfulness Meditation has been decisive and has keep the md in low and manageable level but you have to do it like daily and will see results after like 6 months

[@MyMelbourneASMR]

It helped me too

[@n.w.aicecube5713]

@@MyMelbourneASMR I could see md happening in background and could decide to not engage thats the best part. But you have to be consistent

[@gamerjojo4591]

This video showed up as I was daydreaming while listening to music haha

[@huh_ton3247]

Ive been doing this since i was 7. I walked around my whole home yard for 2 hours a day. As i grew older i met up with a special substance called caffeine. As i took caffeine my hours increased from 2 to 7 hours. Ive stopped talking with people and the only people i see everyday are my parents. I want it to stop, but i dont know how life will be without my fantasies.

[@tbreytenbach9845]

looking forward to more research 😊

[@visas_y_viajes]

I dream without music , but is true i cant wear my earphones if im working because i cant stop daydreaming and i can't hear people so it doesn't help. But if we listen music and interacting with each other having fun, i can daydream with what is happening and be more conected with people and more happy.

[@melissachinakwe9413]

It's trying to ruin my life, but I won't let it. I'm going to come back and share my testimony.

[@davidsleiffer8809]

The artist 2wei makes the perfect music for daydreaming . I especially like the cover 2wei did of Survivor from Destiny's Child.

[@n.w.aicecube5713]

I think there is a connection between beliefs when we had like 6-12 years old and they come unconsciously with triggers

[@gisele_lady]

Perfect video.

[@KurtisTheChoctawIndian]

Maladaptive daydreamers are really good musicians and performers.

[@jadathompson5580]

Right I'm planning on being am artist 🎨

[@Darknight526]

@@jadathompson5580:)

[@shanayasinghania8939]

i am a maladaptive daydreamer and none of the drugs i hv ever tried with peers or a few college mates has made me as high as daydreaming itself , i hv been severely injured physically many times while daydreaming besides losing my time and career and i think it is extremely important to stop it, when my friends said alcohol make them high, it makes me laugh cuz for thats nothing compared to daydreaming, it does not effect me at all, nothing effects me easily

[@curly2387]

Thank you Dr Somer for your work. MD has ruined my life. I'm 61. May I write to you?

[@edaben22]

Thank you so much for your help

[@Ph.Zainab11]

I wish I had the opportunity to book an appointment at your clinic; I'm 22 years old and I have suffered from maladaptive daydreaming my entire life,but I'm from iraq , so unfortunately our countries are enemies So that doesn't seem like it will happen

[@seamusthatsthedog4819]

I am definitely one of those that tend to avoid music. Music got in the way of the daydreams. I would focus on the music instead.

[@JanaeJohnson96]

Hello fellow maladaptive daydreamers 😊👋🏽❤

[@irenicicon6758]

I use this as a coping method i dont think i can get rid of it but over time i have decreased it i just need a better coping mechanism

[@Enchanterrio]

I hv studied neuroscience as my dd made me suffer alot, I felt horrible for not being able to control my brain & now as per my knowledge I think Maladaptive daydreaming and fpp both are caused by dysfunction in Parietal lobe and super function of occipital lobe. As the occipital lobe took charge of making us feel safe and enhance dopamine and so the parietal lobe which is responsible for understanding of our surrounding got over taken and dominated by the occipital lobe.

[@SomerClinic]

I hope future brain imaging studies will show how are brains of MDers unique.

[@lyndseybell8711]

How amazing that my ways are not only mine 🤣

[@betterlife4169]

Maladaptive daydreaming causes dopamine defficiency which leads to depression, anxiety, ADHD, Maladaptive daydreamers continue consuming this behavior just to feel normal ( balanced homeostasis), the dangerous part is not getting pleasure from this behavior itself which may lead to suicide, the solution is abstention from this behavior so as to reset the pathways, and the recovery process is very arduous, they experience withdrawal asymptos more severe than cocain, that's why they can not wean off.

[@SomerClinic]

Do you have any evidence showing that MD causes dopamine deficiency?

[@betterlife4169]

Yes for sure, as maladaptive daydreamer I am experiencing same patterns as any addiction like cocaïn or porn... I can't enjoy same music and things which I daydream, I look for another thing to daydream,,, I noticed with time, things which I imagine become more severe or stupid..after exposing to daydreaming I lost interest for alot of things like working or studying and also socializing, many times I reject to meet my friends just only to stay and daydreaming

[@abdelhamidchguennou5478]

​@@SomerClinicI mean that MD causes Anedohnia which keeps losing pleasure and interest in life experiences.

[@elisomer3730]

Yes, I understand. This is one of the unfortunate consequences of this condition.@@abdelhamidchguennou5478

[@IlginOner-n9f]

@@betterlife4169 As I a maladaptive daydreamer of solid 25 years I think the real danger emerges when you cannot control it anymore. I mean I would much prefer the temptation of staying in my dream worlds all the time to unhappy realities of real life any given day but I force myself to socialize, to keep myself attached to real life as much as I can. Exercise helps a lot to keep my mind in order. I am currently working but not fully satisfied with my job, last year my md scenarios was based on being a part of a special police task force I saw on a documentary :)) I lack a significant other in my life so now my md scenarios take a turn on a loving, passionate relationship with that attractive guy I have seen on a local tv series :). I accept real life as it is and what I lack in real life I get through md. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression and was on medication before and spent most of this past summer focused on my md scenarios now back to real life obligations :) Abandoning MD altogether is impossible for me to be honest but I never ever thought of suicide in my life. :) The trick for me is to stay attached to real life, go to gym, go exercise, go travel, force yourself to socialize and accepting MD as a gift :)

[@uslovsua]

I've been MDing from childhood 6-7 ish... I am wondering if there is a place you can submit your name to participate in future studies?

[@SomerClinic]

Kindly, send me your message to somereli at me.com.

[@h4ks3lr1]

Sir could you post more individual interview 😊

[@SomerClinic]

Do you mean the results of research that is based on interviews?

[@h4ks3lr1]

Yes it could be results of research or anyone sharing there experience through video Sir I have found reason for my maldaptive daydreaming and would like to share it with you is there any media through which I possible could share it with you Please sir 🙏🏻

[@SomerClinic]

Thanks. You may write to me at somereli @me.com (delete spaces). I would be interested to learn from your experience.

[@mikageokumura5605]

I wonder if there is a high comorbidity with Schizoid PD, since Schizoids are known to have rich fantasy lives?

[@SomerClinic]

To the best of my knowledge, no study addressing this question has been published.

[@tirstietinaco7925]

Did you believe that daydreaming is a sign of intelligence according by Dr. Eric Schumacher psychology professor in Georgia university

[@SomerClinic]

MD is associated with creative thought, but there no studies have been published yet on the relationship between MD and intelligence.

[@davidaames7470]

mr. somer... i love your work... please never stop posting videos... i feel much better just by watching your videos... thank you for everything... be safe...

[@3catsn1dog]

I agree that people who do this are very creative and could be write stories. @@SomerClinic

[@Enchanterrio]

So true

[@sachi6803]

It has caused me so much problems in life

[@oOBubbleStreamOo]

Sorry for being off-topic here but I hope you and your loved ones are okay. It's terribly sad what's happening to Israel right now. Please stay safe.

[@SomerClinic]

Thank you for your kind words. We are safe but distraught.

[@juliewilson4847]

You look like an actor named ... what is his name? He is a professional tap dancer

[@SomerClinic]

😀

[@rahmaadel7772]

Are you making an effort into making the DMS recognize Maladaptive.D as a disorder? Since I want to be diagnosed with it

[@elisomer3730]

We intend to start working towards this worthy goal very soon.

[@anupriyaanu6428]

Sir i have md Because of it i cannot get concentration while studying. If i try to focused, after some day i become depressed . whenever i try to get rid of md i have depression, and i also have anxiety with it. I think MD is most dangerous mental condition. Md causes depression , anxiety, adha. I don't know what can i do I visit this channel frequently to know , there is any medication or solution for md is discovered. I pray to god that you should discover a solution to my problem

[@SomerClinic]

Send me your message to somereli @ me.com (delete spaces).

[@justamir1558]

@@SomerClinic Mr somer I have sent an email to the address you provided. Please answer me🙏

[@lourdeslu4331]

Hello Dr Somer, I'm from Argentina and I would like to ask you what kind of therapy would be the best for maladaptive daydream, I also suspect I might have borderline personality or ADHD, I have gone to a lot of therapists but none of them wants to give me a diagnosis, I have only talk to one of them about maladaptive daydream and she didn't take what I told her seriously, all my doctors think I just read too much stuff on the internet, I don't know what to do if nobody wants to believe me.😢

[@SomerClinic]

Please send me your message to somereli at me. com.

[@hariomsutar]

Is md can be treated at home ?

[@SomerClinic]

If a patient cannot find professional treatment in their vicinity, remote therapy via Zoom, for example, is an option.

[@chamathdias4656]

Dear sir,is there any medicine to stop maladaptive daydreaming?please reply me sir

[@SomerClinic]

Send me your message to somereli @ me.com (delete spaces)

[@gaiakorrigan2321]

Bonjour, Une chose parmi tant d'autres que j'aimerais comprendre... Existe t'il un lien entre ces "rêveries" et l'autisme ?

[@SomerClinic]

West, M.J., Somer, E., & Eigsti, I.-M. (2022). Shared Challenges and Cooccurrence of Maladaptive Daydreaming and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Advanves in Neurodevlopmental Disorders. doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00279-1 West, M. J., Somer, E., & Eigsti, I.-M. (2022). Immersive and Maladaptive Daydreaming and Divergent Thinking in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, Online First. doi.org/10.1177/02762366221129819

[@itsmeagain0]

ADHD and MDD are related sir?

[@SomerClinic]

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jclp.23355