The Pathological Loop: How Maladaptive Daydreaming Contributes to Emotional Anaesthesia in Adolescents

Maladaptive daydreaming is a frequently misunderstood psychological state in whichvivid, immersive fantasy begins to displace real-world functioning. While oftendismissed as an overactive imagination, prolonged engagement in internal fantasy worldsmay trigger a significant psychological consequence: emotional anaesthesia. This state ischaracterised by persistent numbness, detachment, and reduced affective responsiveness.This paper explores the conceptual relationship between maladaptive daydreaming andemotional anaesthesia within adolescents. By examining reward circuitry, dopaminergicstimulation, and avoidance-based coping strategies, it argues that excessive fantasyengagement may dysregulate emotional processing while diminishing sensitivity to realworld experiences. Over time, this can produce a self-perpetuating cycle of emotionalwithdrawal. This research seeks to reposition maladaptive daydreaming as a significant,though under-recognised, contributor to emotional numbness in modern youth.