Maladaptive Daydreaming Test

Understand how strongly obsessive daydreaming affects your mood and daily life in about 3 minutes. This quick 16 item screen flags severity and helps guide next steps for support.

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Questions: 163 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

13,287 views

2,179 completions

1,086 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

58/100

Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD)

Measures the severity of intrusive, hard-to-control daydreaming and how much it interferes with daily functioning.

Low

Elevated

0 – 39: Low | 40 – 100: Elevated

A score of 58 falls in the Elevated range, suggesting more frequent or intense intrusive daydreaming that may interfere with daily activities or social engagement.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Distracted students and workers

41%OF USERS

People who notice daydreaming is eating into study or work time and making it hard to stay focused or meet deadlines.

Anxious or low-mood self-checkers

34%OF USERS

People who use fantasies to escape stress or sadness and want to see whether it has become compulsive and disruptive.

Therapy and clinical screening

25%OF USERS

Clients and clinicians who want a quick snapshot of how intense and impairing obsessive daydreaming is before planning support.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

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Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

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See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Intrusive Daydreams Scale (IDS)

Average

55.7

Normal range

38.3 — 73.1

min.

max.

100

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the severity of compulsive, intrusive daydreaming. It focuses on frequency, intensity, and interference with daily functioning.

How long does it take to complete?

Completion typically takes about 3 minutes. It includes 16 items.

What time period should be used when answering?

Use a typical recent period, such as the past few weeks. If symptoms vary, answer based on the average level.

How should responses be selected?

Select the option that best matches usual experience, not a single unusual day. Answer all items to support accurate scoring.

Does a high score confirm a diagnosis?

No, results are for screening and severity estimation only. Clinical assessment is needed to determine diagnosis and related conditions.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Maladaptive Daydreaming Test - Symptoms and Signs

obsessiveness ocd psychopathology

This self-report measure is designed to screen for maladaptive daydreaming and associated functional interference. The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) asks respondents to rate the frequency, intensity, and perceived impact of immersive fantasy activity on daily functioning.

Developed by Somer, E., it includes 16 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Items focus on engagement in daydreaming and the extent to which it disrupts attention, productivity, or social and occupational activities.

The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) is intended for use as a brief screening instrument and should be interpreted in the context of clinical interview and other assessment data; it is not a standalone diagnostic tool.

Author: Somer, E.

Literature: Somer, E., Lehrfeld, J., Bigelsen, J., & Jopp, D. Development and validation of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS). Consciousness and Cognition. 2016.; Somer, E., Lehrfeld, J., Bigelsen, J., & Jopp, D. Development and validation of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS). Consciousness and Cognition. 2016.

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