Which Type Of Daydreamer Are You?

March 25, 2016


Image Credits: pixabay.com  (CC0 Public Domain)
All of us experienced altered states of consciousness throughout our lives. And its most common form is daydreaming. According to Psychology Today, everyone or nearly everyone experiences daydreaming on a regular basis with studies indicating that as much as 96% of adults engage in at least one outburst of daily fantasies.

Contrary to popular belief, daydreaming is not a complete exclusion from the outside and is not entirely detrimental. Daydreaming allows us to focus on our inner thoughts and imagined experiences that can be beneficial to improving creativity and problem-solving skills. Interestingly, the pattern or type of the daydream associates with one's personality.

Know if you fall under one of the most common types: 


1. THE ESCAPIST

Psychologist Cliff Arnall states that Escapist Daydreaming occurs during the moments of stress, boredom, or frustration. The daydreamer may feel so frustrated about the real world that he escapes to the ideal world he created. For example, a woman can envision winning back the heart of his ex-boyfriend. #TOTGA

Escapist daydreaming gives a sense of stimulation and recognition that the daydreamer seems to lack. This way, daydreaming can be an essential resource to cope with life's challenges. 

2. THE OPTIMIST

As the name suggests, Positive Constructive Daydreaming involves optimistic and happy thoughts that are characterized by creative reflections and good humor. Generally, individuals with this daydreaming type adjust to changes more easily than others. For example, a student can envision that his parents is smiling as he gets his university diploma.

Positive constructive daydreamers envision themselves in a positive light that can help them plan and set their goals. 

3. THE ADDICT

What happens when a daydreamer goes too far? He finds himself in a state of neglect of basic human activities such as eating or showering. Also, he experiences missing out on hours or days. This is known as Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD). MD is often compared to an addiction. 

Originally coined by Dr. Eli Sómer, MD is characterized by extensive fantasies that might be a result of trauma or abuse. In his study, patients used daydreaming as a coping mechanism to escape from their unpleasant surroundings. Further research is necessary to quantify his theory.

4. THE NEUROTIC

The last type is called the Guilty-Dysphoric Daydreaming. It features unpleasant and unwanted emotions such as guilt, fear, anxiety, obsession, and aggressive rolled into fantasies about others. For example, you can envision about killing someone you hated. 

Researchers Singer and Zhiyan found that these daydreamers show high levels of neuroticism and low levels of conscientiousness. Neuroticism is a mental condition characterized by long-term tendency to be in a negative emotional state. If that is not enough, they have a hard time concentrating on the internal information or external task demands. 

Image Credits: pixabay.com  (CC0 Public Domain)
The diverse types of daydreamers and its associated personality traits are just indicators of how too much can be detrimental to oneself. However, when used in moderation, daydreaming can help you make your greatest fantasies happen!

Sources:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6

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