Schizophrenia and maladaptive daydreaming

[@zz7733]

Your videos are such an amazing resource. This community would be so lost and distressed without you!

[@akshaygatkalco.4383]

why a community should be found on basis of a mental disorder. a community with mental disorder is very bad place to live. its a type of escapism also. you have to approach the real community.

[@UniqueSouls]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! The community really appreciates it.

[@shelmithseth7645]

girl I appreciate your videos as well!

[@aliciadonadio2597]

I think that Maladaptive Daydreamers sometimes have intrusive thoughts similar to those suffering with OCD. In these cases, someone who has the special immersive ability of Maldadaptive Daydreaming also has sudden, uncomfortable thougths which they can not control, and which sometimes present in a visual manner similar to the daydreams. This may be another symptom which is hard to distinguish from PTSD flashbacks or (on a surface level) schizophrenia.

[@williamtobin2865]

I think its definitely related to pure obsessional OCD instead of automatic negative thoughts its automatic distraction thoughts

[@perrywilchiuk6012]

YES!

[@ronaldawaseb7508]

Been a melaptive daydreaming since a kid now im 23 im happy the are people like me

[@edibleph4596]

Hi! Very informative video, thank you. Çağla here, psychologist from Turkey. After the big earthquake recently, we talked about trauma and PTSD in our meeting just a few days back, and we talked about this difficulty of discerning flashbacks from remembering for a person with immersive daydreaming. As I take it, flashbacks are a very dramatic experience for most people, while it was almost a common feeling for a immersive daydreamer like myself after my trauma. I am glad to hear you confirm my suspicion about this.

[@Kevin-kt6zj]

Hi sir. Thank you for the info and explaining the difference of the two disorder. Sadly i have a schizophrenia and it always triggers me and locking me into daydreaming. I sometimes can't control my emotion base on the negative daydreaming that the voice i hear is putting me into. To everyone who has same scenario as i am, just be strong and have faith that everything will be ok.

[@andreeapirvu7272]

Heyy, sorry to bother you, but do you think we can have a little chat on another app? I'm currently suspected of schizophrenia or bipolarity as I had my first episode in December, but the meds I currently take I think influence my ability to daydream (which is a big inconvenience for me). I was curious if it's also the same for you.

[@starfalls3599]

I just found your channel and i really want to thank you a ton 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 My dad has OCD and Schizophrenia, which runs in our family and we have 2 family members diagnosed right now and ever since their diagnosis when i was younger i was always in fear and anxious thinking that my a little over the top daydreams were actually a sign of schizophrenia. There aren’t many sources to read about this and that video was a huge help. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@nicoledonald3858]

Thank you and your team for all the efforts!

[@mbradley5683]

Wow I was scared from reading the title that during your research you recently found a link between these 2 disorders😅😅 had me scared for a second Dr. Somer

[@cherychristopher7016]

Hii

[@IGORSY]

Thank you very much for your videos, it's great to find content about that.

[@anitakorodi5720]

Thank you for the video.

[@Insideofsanity]

Schizophrenia and maladaptive daydreaming have some things in common because they both have to do with dreaming they are both a product of some stage of sleep or stage of falling asleep that happens on it's on time without the other natural in order stages of sleep that usually happens somewhat a mixture of day dreaming and sleepwalking plus being awake throughout the experience that's why it feels so so real to the person

[@Insideofsanity]

Or one could be the symptoms of one of the others

[@cherychristopher7016]

​@@Insideofsanityhumm

[@mustloveart1]

Hi Dr. Somer, thank you so much for making this video and for fleshing out schizophrenia and maladaptive daydreaming so vividly. As someone wtih MD, also studying psychology, I find these sorts of videos both illuminating and informative. If I may ask, would it be possible that you would do a similar video surrounding the topics of Dissociative Identity Disorder and Maladaptive Daydreaming, differences and similarities, since they are both dissociative in nature?

[@SomerClinic]

Yes, I will.

[@mustloveart1]

Thank you! 😊

[@JohnWick-sq4sy]

I have both MDD and OCD, my life is a living hell.

[@JohnWick-sq4sy]

I remember taking ritalin so i could focus and study but that only resulted in far more intensive daydreams (also, things like coffee, cigarettes and tea make my mdd more intensive)

[@mbradley5683]

@@JohnWick-sq4sy damn I can relate dude, I’ve been in the same boat- what works for me is playing music, because practicing an instrument puts ur focus in a place where u can’t daydream and improve at the same time👍

[@teenrandomgamer1785]

mbradley yes! I live with Tourette's, OCD, ADHD, and MDD as well as multiple types of anxiety, seizures and depression, and I depend on music to help ground me :)

[@mbradley5683]

@@teenrandomgamer1785 wow i can’t imagine being you dog!😅 wow and I thought I had problems- that’s tough dude but shows just how much power music can have, yeah it’s saved my, life too man👍

[@teenrandomgamer1785]

@@mbradley5683 glad I can relate with someone :)

[@ivanabottcher8930]

Thank you for your video, I as a mother can not evaluate my 23 year old son, and very hard for me, I can only say what I think as intuition maladaptive daydream and Autism. He is vain and likes to talk in front of the mirror, when life was more stressful he walked in a circle. I dream one day he will find a specialist interested in knowing what he has.

[@aicy5020]

Eli: I'm just wondering how many people out there have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and have been put on neuroleptics (suffered the horrible side-effects of these drugs) when in fact what they have is MDD?

[@Tes73792]

Thats sad cuz the difference is huge. With MDD people are very much aware what they are doing and they can control it. The visions do not appear to be real like with Schizophrenia, they are just imaginative vivid thoughts. As much as a person can look like they lost their mind from aside.. it is sad how bad of a psychiatrist you must be to confuse the two though.

[@Nine2fine]

I had Mdd all my life. A few years ago , I was given a small dose of seroquel (used to treat schizophrenia) and it’s practically gone now. 🙌🏾

[@thehotpinkrd]

Do you feel you are able to function better with tasks now & get more done without the urge to daydream? Also, did you have a hard time getting this diagnosed since it’s not well known?

[@cherychristopher7016]

​@@thehotpinkrdtry using positive affirmations they help a lot ❤❤

[@williamtobin2865]

Thank you for another great video.

[@williamtobin2865]

I think there is a link between not general OCD but it's rare version pure obsessional OCD but instead of automatic uncontrollable negative thoughts it is automatic uncontrollable distractive thoughts.

[@bonbonsknowledgehub2010]

Can you explain if Maladaptive daydreaming can cause schizophrenia, like if you keep doing it for a long time and then you start to confuse reality with fiction? I have MADD and I am concerned if it will get worse.

[@SomerClinic]

There is no relationship between MD and Schizophrenia.

[@maisieburns822]

You think it will get worse because you’ve labelled this MD as a bad thing and something you’d like to stop This is normal it’s okay and by knowing your doing it you wouldn’t have any serious mental health issues / ilnesss As someone who sadly does doesn’t even know they are day dreaming... Mental Illness are very very hard to diagnose Honestly you wouldn’t but would at the same time know if you was seriously ill mentally. You are okay. Your safe your not crazy don’t let anyone tell you that. Ring your GP and they will reassure you straight away your not alone and it’s okay You may be experiencing intrusive thoughts ‘am I going crazy’ ‘I’m scared I’ll loose control ‘ ‘ what If this is ....’ all this is part of your fight or flight reapsone (anxiety) it’s your brain trying to protect you

[@mkmllrc]

MDD gets in a way of my early sleep and getting back to sleep after waking up at midnight

[@taylorh.3484]

Do you literally and immediately get back to MaDDing as soon as you are consciously awake, seemingly uncontrollably, like me?

[@yellowbox2258]

Great work! thank you for sharing this important information

[@pritizaparomita5558]

Thank you for the differentiation Dr. Somer! Do you think Maladaptive daydreaming will be added to the DSM-5?

[@SomerClinic]

I believe it eventually will, however more research is required.

[@nagihancalskan7454]

I have maladaptive daydreaming and my grandfather had schizophrenia. So, i always afraid of being schizophrenia in future. I have heard hallucinatory voices a few times in my life. What can I do for not having schizophrenia in future?

[@SomerClinic]

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) does not cause Schizophrenia, and we have no evidence that people with Schizophrenia are more likely to have had earlier MD.

[@nagihancalskan7454]

@@SomerClinic Thank you so much🙏🏻

[@ronearles1811]

The issue i have is I form my day around my day dreaming. Alot of people want to quit doing it. I want to do more of it. I've created a new life in my mind that will always be better than the real thing.

[@ronearles1811]

So you don't try to figure out why. It started as racing thoughts trying to sleep. I made a conscious decision to make stories in my mind instead of worrying about life. Its coping mechanism

[@aicy5020]

Eli: Could someone suffering from MDD have the ability to initiate a delusion?What I mean is could they be so intensely absorbed and dissociated where they cross the border between reality and delusion

[@zz7733]

I’m scared to ask the same thing because I’ve experienced this also. My characters "bleed" into this world from my fantasy universe. I just ignore it because I know it’s not real but it still distresses me.

[@SomerClinic]

I think it is rare but possible

[@SomerClinic]

@@zz7733 if you know it is not real you are probably not psychotic.

[@baizilfree9241]

Wait so like... your daydream makes you believe that it’s real which causes you to act out in real life?

[@zz7733]

@@SomerClinic Omg, you have no idea how much that helps! Thank you so much.

[@MsRosirosi]

Thank you so much Doctor for your amazing work. I feel so grateful to benefit from your knowledge.

[@euandreia]

Thanks for sharing

[@jordinn5544]

I’m 17 and I’ve recently been following your research on MD. Although, I haven’t been diagnosed, there is no question on whether I suffer from MD or not. Hoping to get some help soon but in the mean time I’m learning more about it!

[@teenrandomgamer1785]

I'm 18 (just turned 18) and am doing the same thing! Reach out of you need to talk!

[@lebohangmofokeng4480]

same

[@cgr3755]

from my knowledge you cannot get an official diagnosis of MD, atleast where i live.

[@Nine2fine]

I had Mdd all my life. A few years ago , I was given a small dose of seroquel (used to treat schizophrenia) and it’s practically gone now. 🙌🏾

[@sanaomer2828]

@@Nine2fine how can you be diagnosed for that in order to get this medicine?

[@heatherm8736]

Are there any links with MD and family history of alzheimers? I have MD but also recently remembered how my grandfather used to take extremely long walks when his alzheimers was progressing. Like round and round and round the block.

[@SomerClinic]

i am not aware of any evidence for such a link.

[@meryp.6056]

There are people who shake their arms just like children when they maladaptive daydreaming? I feel the one🥺

[@ebbaegnell3899]

Do you shake your arms while daydreaming??

[@meryp.6056]

@@ebbaegnell3899 yeah

[@jadathompson5580]

@@ebbaegnell3899 I rock back and forth

[@cherychristopher7016]

​@@jadathompson5580hii

[@fistikci]

I am afraid of dreaming or daydreaming even now... after my sister got diagnosed with schizophrenia. I've got a fear now As if I may not come back from my dream ever again. On top of that, uncontrollable catastrophizing of events and anxiety... (because i'm surrounded with truly uncapable people- docs fam members and me too uncapable after some point? ) She needs to chose this reality not the virtual one she succumbed into?? How can one do anything about it other than the person herself?? Not listening a single shit. this illness is truly wrecking families wonder how we will ever survive, she wants to leave home forever but saying to her doctor "touristic travel" she will be psychotic and lost on a foreign country if she will ever make it. She dont believe her meds i saw once in her diary. Trurths are what they are. I am not just catastrophizing, truth is truth and eats me alive.

[@Sonia-yg8vx]

I’m in the same exact situation

[@APGifts]

Dr. Somer, Is there any chance that this unique adaptive-ability of 'Maladaptive-Daydreaming' (or perhaps even the milder 'Immersive-Daydreaming' / 'Absorptive Daydreaming') -- may also have some link to the _'Autism-Spectrum'_ -- or -- that either one -- could be a manifestation of a person possibly having _'High-Functioning-Autism'_ ? Thank you for sharing with the world your discovery of this phenomenon and for all of your research in it. -- APG .

[@katerinakaterinaki9143]

It depends on the dreams! I am concerned I have Aspergers but I understand emotions and I am spontaneous!MDD has similarities with autism and differences too! Confused 🙄 Uhhhh.......

[@APGifts]

. @@katerinakaterinaki9143 Thank you for sharing this information. It really does seem to me that ~ there is a chance that the ' Maladaptive ... Immersive ... and / or ... Absorptive - Daydreaming ' ability / phenomenon ~ may actually have some sort of link to ~ the Autism-spectrum. Your sharing of your experience on this is really quite helpful. .

[@runewolf77]

Can anxiety make you think that you're hearing things? Like, if the anxiety came from "outside" and you have a lot of it?

[@SomerClinic]

It is difficult to provide a responsible psychological opinion or advice based on just one sentence. Experiencing sensations like hearing things can stem from various factors, including anxiety, but the exact cause requires a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional.

[@wajeehaqazi9933]

I have schizophrenia so when ever I start having visual hallucinations or impulsive commands I switch my brain in another world to try to stop those voice it’s kind of a coping mechanism is it normal to do i sometimes helps me like I fight those voices by my own alternative world which sometimes works depending upon the voices so can maladaptive daydreaming be used as a coping mechanism

[@elisomer]

Yes. MD is often used as a coping mechanism.

[@crazydumbsick]

I have MD and schizophrenia

[@VoteSaxon1988]

Same....... newly diagnosed schizophrenic. How do you cope?

[@crazydumbsick]

@@VoteSaxon1988 medicine and lots of hobby's but mostly a good combination of medicine.

[@VoteSaxon1988]

@@crazydumbsick does the medicine help control your MD as well or just the schizophrenia? Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions. I can't see my psychiatrist for a couple weeks and I'm scared.

[@crazydumbsick]

@@VoteSaxon1988 the medicine just helps with schizophrenia

[@crazydumbsick]

@@VoteSaxon1988 the medicine just helps with schizophrenia

[@33incognito]

Hey Dr. Could I please email you and ask a couple of questions about something I'm struggling with? I would ask on here, but I don't want to write it publicly

[@SomerClinic]

You may contact me at somereli @ me.com (delete spaces)

[@sambasiva1183]

sir ,mental health problems WOMEN'S ... any chance pragnency ... after marriage

[@SomerClinic]

This form of daydreaming does not affect pregnancy

[@AmaKOws]

thank you so much!

[@cherychristopher7016]

Well I have both And I will overcome them before the end of 2023💯

[@sophiav4263]

I want to ask a question ! I'm a person who have MD ! And I'm so curious ! If you can't treat your maladaptive daydreaming, Is it lead to Schizophrenia?

[@SomerClinic]

Bo, there is evidence for that.

[@sophiav4263]

@@SomerClinic Huh?

[@Yağmur7r]

Hello teacher, I'm writing from Turkey. I've been living this bad disease since I was a child, and it's affected my whole life. I've known you for a year or two, but I don't speak any other language, so I can't take advantage of your videos. My English is not very good. There are almost no Turkish sources and they do not describe this thing as a disease. I wish someone would translate your videos or I could learn the language as soon as I can. I thought I was the only one with this thing before, and I used to brag.😳

[@SomerClinic]

I suggest you join Maladaptive Daydreaming Türkiye and ask members about resources in Turkish facebook.com/groups/372377169782472

[@Nine2fine]

I had Mdd all my life. A few years ago , I was given a small dose of seroquel (used to treat schizophrenia) and it’s practically gone now. 🙌🏾

[@spyishere3054]

Is there a way I can contact you?

[@SomerClinic]

Leave me a message here www.somer.co.il/contact-us

[@spyishere3054]

@@SomerClinic hi, is it all right if I talk to you here.

[@poetaenlaluna]

I appreaciate what Dr. Somer is doing, but he is very wrong on many of his conceptions about maladaptive daydreamers.

[@ditanovia4934]

I'm md

[@VoteSaxon1988]

Me who has both: 👁👄👁