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Excessive daydreaming: A case history and discussion of mind wandering and high fantasy proneness

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Abstract

This case study describes a patient presenting with a long history of excessive daydreaming which has caused her distress but is not incident to any other apparent clinical psychiatric disorders. We have treated this patient for over 10 years, and she has responded favorably to fluvoxamine therapy, stating that it helps to control her daydreaming. Our patient, and other psychotherpists, have brought to our attention other possible cases of excessive daydreaming. We examine the available literature regarding daydreaming, mind wandering, and fantasy proneness relative to current cognitive and neuroanatomical models of executive attention.

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    FP is inherently linked to visualisation, imagery and absorption, the tendency to become immersed in vivid and compelling imaginings (Tellegan & Atkinson, 1974). Some individuals can have fantasies so vivid that they can be hard to distinguish from reality (Horselenberg, Merckelbach, van Breukelen, & Wessel, 2004; Merckelbach, 2004; Merckelbach, Horselenberg, & Muris, 2001) and even when fantasies are themselves enjoyable, their frequency and uncontrollability can be distressing (Bigelsen & Schupak, 2011; Schupak & Rosenthal, 2009). The majority of research into FP has focussed on its well-documented association with psychopathology, particularly dissociative disorders.

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