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"Peeling Back Another Layer of Yourself": An interpretive phenomenological analysis of disclosures about maladaptive

Wanda Fischera1, Amy Lucas1, Maria Griffiths1

  • 1Canterbury Christ Church University, Lucy Fields Building, Zurich House, 1 Meadow Rd., Tunbridge Wells TN1 2YG, United Kingdom.

Acta Psychologica
|July 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

People with maladaptive daydreaming (MD) often feel misunderstood when disclosing their experiences. Therapy should adopt a person-centred approach to address the shame and ambivalence associated with MD disclosure.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) involves distress and dysfunction from compulsive fantasy immersion.
  • MD is isolating, leading to loneliness and secrecy, hindering support.
  • Disclosure experiences and outcomes in MD remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the subjective experiences of individuals with MD when disclosing their condition.
  • To understand the outcomes of disclosure to significant others and therapists.

Main Methods:

  • Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of semi-structured interviews.
  • 10 participants with MD were interviewed.
  • An inductive approach was used to identify analytic themes.

Main Results:

  • Three analytic themes emerged: 'The Secret Lives of Daydreamers,' 'Peeling Back Another Layer of Yourself,' and 'Longing to Be Understood.'
  • Participants reported mixed disclosure experiences, often feeling misunderstood and invalidated.
  • Shame and ambivalence are significant factors in MD disclosure, even in therapeutic contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the emotional complexities of disclosure is crucial for individuals with MD.
  • A person-centred, non-judgmental therapeutic approach is recommended for exploring MD.
  • Further research should investigate disclosure and support for individuals experiencing MD.
Keywords:
AbsorptionDisclosureFantasisingImmersive daydreamingMaladaptive daydreaming

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