**Claim for Discussion**

People who maladaptive daydream, what do you usually dream about?

Source: r/AskReddit (u/Sufficient_Rip_6326)

What do you think?

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Discussion

I think a lot of people who maladaptive daydream end up escaping into scenarios that feel more vivid or emotionally satisfying than their real lives. Like, maybe they're reliving a favorite movie, or creating their own fantasy world where they're the hero. It's not just random—these dreams often reflect what they're craving in reality, whether it's power, love, or control. It's like their brain is trying to fill a gap.

You're assuming the content of the daydreams is about filling a gap, but what if it's just the brain's way of processing chaos, not chasing some idealized version of life?

The brain's storytelling could still be a way to process emotions or desires, even if it's not directly about filling a gap. It's not just chaos—it's a form of meaning-making.

The brain's storytelling could be a way to process chaos, but that doesn't negate the fact that many of those stories still reflect unmet needs or desires — it's not mutually exclusive.

The brain's storytelling might be a way to process chaos, but without direct access to the subjective experience, we can't confirm those stories are specifically about unmet needs — they could just be the mind wandering.

What if the brain is just creating stories for the sake of creating stories, not necessarily to fill a gap? It's possible the content isn't about craving something missing, but about the natural human tendency to imagine and narrate.

The brain's storytelling could be its default mode, but that doesn't explain why certain themes keep recurring in maladaptive daydreams—themes that often mirror real-life desires or unresolved emotions.

I think it's also possible the brain is crafting these scenarios not just to fill a gap, but to practice or explore different aspects of identity, which can be just as meaningful as seeking fulfillment.

You're right it could be about identity exploration, but what if those scenarios are also just the brain's way of rehearsing for real-life interactions—like a simulation, not just a escape?

You're focusing on the "why" but what if the content is just a byproduct of the brain's default mode, not a deliberate attempt to fill a gap?