Daydreaming and ADHD

Being a bit of a daydreamer doesn’t necessarily mean you have ADHD, just as having ADHD doesn’t necessarily mean that you will daydream incessantly. If you have ADHD however, particularly the inattentive ADHD type, then chances are you will find controlling your thoughts challenging.

Daydreaming or mind wandering can be both beneficial and detrimental to particular areas of life, so let’s take a look at what daydreaming is, its link to ADHD, and what you can do if you find controlling your thoughts difficult. 

What’s the Difference Between Daydreaming and Thinking?

Around 50% of most people’s daily thinking time is taken up with daydreaming, so this isn’t something that affects those with ADHD alone. Thinking is intentional and can be carried out to reflect on and evaluate certain experiences, which is important to building character. Thinking is beneficial and includes planning for future life events or important projects or trying to figure out a work problem.

Daydreaming is usually unconscious, uncontrollable, and spontaneous and can be detrimental to important tasks such as retaining information or working heavy machinery where you need to remember how to use it for your safety. Rumination is another type of daydreaming, but it relates to one specific subject, whereas daydreaming tends to jump from thought to thought, like dreaming when we are asleep. 

The Default Mode Network vs. The Task-Positive Network.

Our brains are made up of networks that connect various brain areas and control our thoughts and behaviours. When a person is resting but in a daydreaming state is when the Default Mode Network (DMN) is activated, and the mind will wander to various worlds and scenarios. 

When you begin a task the Task-Positive Network (TPN) is activated and switches off the DMN to complete said task. However, in those with ADHD, the DMN does not seem to fully switch off, which can lead to a lack of focus and inattention during important activities. 

Inattentive ADHD Type and Daydreaming

The positive side to daydreaming includes a boost in creativity, problem-solving, self-reflection, and planning and it also reduces boredom however, it can also lead to issues at work or school and in relationships, due to a lack of focus, poor time management, and a distance from the present moment.

Individuals with the inattentive or combined ADHD type are more likely to daydream and often find difficulty in sustaining focus and attention, which can lead to poor organisation and costly mistakes. A test for daydreaming called MEWS (Mind Excessively Wandering Scale) can be used to assess the degree to which daydreaming affects an individual and is even used when screening for ADHD. 

What is Maladaptive Daydreaming?

Maladaptive daydreaming is a form of daydreaming that encompasses a huge part of each day with intentional, vivid, all-consuming daydreams. With maladaptive daydreaming, a person can daydream for hours at a time to the point where it becomes a compulsion. It is thought to affect children, teenagers, and young adults the most, as well as those with a history of trauma and abuse, as it was likely used as a coping mechanism to remove themselves from their reality.

Maladaptive Daydreaming and Its Links to ADHD.

There is an association between maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD, however, there isn’t yet enough research available to enforce a connection between the two, which can sometimes lead to misdiagnoses. 

Similarities include:

• Having trouble falling asleep due to being engrossed in their mind-made fantasy.

• Getting disproportionately upset when interrupted.

• Being easily distracted and unaware of their surroundings.

Maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD inattentive daydreaming are separate entities, meaning that not everyone with ADHD will suffer from maladaptive daydreaming, and everyone who experiences maladaptive daydreaming may not have ADHD. However, people with ADHD may be more prone to experiencing maladaptive daydreaming. 

Can ADHD Daydreaming be Controlled?

If you are unable to control your daydreaming with ADHD, it does not necessarily mean you have maladaptive daydreaming (MD) however, if you experience uncontrollable daydreaming, there are tools to help maintain your focus.

ADHD Medication.

Stimulants and other ADHD medication can help to control daydreaming with ADHD when it becomes problematic. ADHD medication such as lisdexamfetamine can help to sustain focus where it’s needed and broaden the attention span, as well as controlling the need to think and daydream incessantly. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

CBT helps to identify unhelpful thought patterns, including daydreaming and helps to switch them off when needed. It is a technique that teaches you to spot the signs of daydreaming and stop them early on, so they don’t encompass hours or whole days.

Mindfulness.

Mindfulness is all about focusing on the now and paying attention to each task or thing you are doing. This can help you stop daydreaming and focus your attention on what you’re doing through meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga.

ADHD Support from a Private ADHD Clinic in Manchester.

If you find that you are at the mercy of your racing thoughts, unable to stay focused in important situations, and unable to keep up with peers, friends, and family due to feeling unaware of your surroundings, then it could be a sign of inattentive ADHD.

Here at Beyond, we are a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, with a team of professionals who offer support and advice daily to our clients to help them with various aspects of ADHD, including daydreaming. We offer comprehensive ADHD assessments for adults and children and our team has years of experience between them in treating and supporting those with inattentive ADHD and various other challenges that fall alongside it.

Contact us today to see how we could help you, your professional, private ADHD clinic in Manchester.