Maladaptive Daydreaming: an unrecognized disorder of dissociative absorption

Eli Somer PhD, a clinical psychologist, is also full clinical professor emerit of psychology at the University of Haifa School of Social Work. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology and anthropology and his Master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Haifa (1975, 1980). His doctoral degree in Counselling Psychology (University of Florida, 1985).

Somer was the founder and Scientific Advisor of Trauma and Dissociation Israel (TDIL), co-founder and past president of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD) and past president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD).

He is the ISSTD recipient of the Cornelia Wilbur Award (2000) for his outstanding contributions to the treatment of dissociative disorders and the recipient of ISSTD’s Fellow status (2001) for his outstanding contributions to the field of dissociative disorders. In 2014, Somer received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ISSTD.

He has been treating survivors of trauma for over 30 years, first as a Mental Health Officer in the Israel Defence Forces and later as civilian clinician for survivors of prolonged childhood trauma. Somer has published over 100 scientific publications in this field.

In 2002, Somer identified a phenomenon of excessive absorptive daydreaming and coined its name: maladaptive daydreaming (MD). Over 35 scientific publications on MD have been published since then.

Eli presented for Delphi in 2020. His webinar is available on-demand