Maladaptive Daydreaming: an unrecognized disorder of dissociative absorption

Professor Emerit Eli Somer

Standard Price:

$75

Student Price:

$45

We are currently updating our site and will have some great features ready for you in January 2023
If you are interested in this On-Demand Webinar please contact us at events@delphicentre.com.au.
To be notified of when our new system is live please register your email here

Description

In this webinar Prof. Somer will describe the main features of maladaptive daydreaming (MD). He will outline the brief history of this emerging mental disorder, since its first mention in the literature in 2002.

The discussion will examine the ontology of MD and explore ideas about possible classifications of this condition in future DSM. Prof. Somer will outline developmental trajectories, common fantasy themes and psychiatric comorbidities. An outline of available assessment tools and the suggested diagnostic criteria for MD will be presented.

Prof. Somer will talk about evidence-based treatment protocols and other suggested psychotherapy principles. Finally, he will share a video testimonial of a person who expereinces MD.

Learning objectives

Participants will

Become familiar with the grass-root consumer effort to medicalize MD
Learn MD phenomenology and common fantasy themes
Understand possible developmental pathways to MD
Acquire knowledge about MD assessment and differential diagnosis
Understand treatment principles for MD

About Professor Emerit Eli Somer

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