ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The dark side of daydreams
The dark side of daydreams
The dark side of daydreams
Sunday 11th April 2021
Explore the intriguing phenomenon of maladaptive daydreaming with Hannah Byford's personal journey.
29 minutes
Eye-opening
Inspiring
Informative
Honest
Compassionate
About this podcast
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ABC Radio
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Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Get the buttons here!Inside the World of Maladaptive Daydreaming
Episode Overview
- Maladaptive daydreaming can consume hours each day.
- Therapy can help identify triggers and regain control.
- Mindfulness techniques may assist in managing symptoms.
- Awareness and research are crucial for understanding the disorder.
- Daydreams can serve as both escape and addiction.
I found when I daydreamed that love, that acceptance that sometimes I did not find in my reality.
Curious about the intricate world of daydreaming? This episode of 'All In The Mind' unravels the fascinating yet complex phenomenon of maladaptive daydreaming. Meet Hannah Byford, a 28-year-old nurse from Los Angeles, who shares her journey through two decades of elaborate daydreams as a coping mechanism for a tumultuous childhood. Daydreaming, often seen as a harmless pastime, becomes a debilitating disorder for Hannah and others like her, consuming hours each day and impacting real-life interactions and mental health.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Nirit Sofer Dudek offers insights into maladaptive daydreaming, explaining how it can start in childhood and be triggered by trauma. The episode explores how vivid daydreams can become addictive, drawing parallels with OCD symptoms and dissociative disorders. Hannah's story reveals the struggle of living in a dream world while real life fades into the background. Listeners will learn about potential treatments, including mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Hannah shares her path to regaining control over her daydreams through therapy, identifying triggers, and engaging in outdoor activities. The episode highlights the need for more awareness and research into maladaptive daydreaming, aiming to include it in the DSM. It's an eye-opening discussion on how daydreams can be both a sanctuary and a prison. Are you ready to explore how imagination can be both a friend and foe?