Eli Somer
Description: Who is Eli Somer? The founder of maladaptive daydreaming research: his discovery, the first studies and the importance of his work today.
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Teaser (Lead)
Maladaptive daydreaming is not a phenomenon of the internet age, but was described over two decades ago. The Israeli psychologist Eli Somer, who opened a new door in clinical research with his observations and studies, is responsible for this. This article introduces the man who named the phenomenon and sheds light on his pioneering work.
Eli Somer: The pioneer of maladaptive daydreaming research
Read first the detailed main article, Maladaptive daydreaming - understanding, treating and overcoming it - a comprehensive guide
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The overview "Maladaptive daydreaming - causes, symptoms and help". This themed article profiles Eli Somer, the researcher who first described maladaptive daydreaming, and categorises his contributions.
1 Who is Eli Somer?
Eli Somer was born in Israel in 1951 and studied clinical psychology. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a therapist and researcher at the University of Haifa. He initially focused on the treatment of trauma-related disorders and dissociative disorders. In his clinical work, he encountered patients who reported very intense, vivid daydreams that dominated their everyday lives. Somer became curious: was this a known disorder or something new? His openness to unusual phenomena and his scientific intuition laid the foundations for a new field of research.
2 The discovery of maladaptive daydreaming
In the early 2000s, Somer published his observations in a paper entitled "Maladaptive Daydreaming: A Qualitative Inquiry". In this study, he presented six patients who spent hours immersed in complex fantasy worlds. They used their inner stories to cope with painful feelings, stress or loneliness. Somer recognised a pattern that existing diagnoses could not explain. He coined the term "maladaptive daydreaming" and defined the phenomenon as a compulsive fantasy activity that impairs human interaction and everyday functions. The study attracted initial attention in specialist circles and motivated other psychologists to take up the topic.
3 Scientific contributions and scales
Somer remained committed after his initial description. Together with colleagues, he developed the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16), a standardised questionnaire that measures the intensity and effects of daydreaming. This instrument enabled the investigation of maladaptive daydreaming in larger groups, making the phenomenon more tangible. Somer published numerous articles on the clinical characteristics, accompanying disorders and possible explanations. He repeatedly emphasised that maladaptive daydreaming is not a loss of reality as in psychoses, but causes considerable suffering.
4 Reception and current projects
Somer is now recognised as a leading voice in the field of maladaptive daydreaming. His work has inspired international researchers to conduct further studies - from epidemiological investigations to therapeutic approaches. At the same time, Somer remains critical of hasty diagnoses and calls for a differentiated approach: not every intense daydream is pathological, and official recognition should be based on solid evidence. He is currently working on projects to validate further measurement instruments and evaluate treatment programmes. In interviews and specialist publications, he is committed to raising awareness of maladaptive daydreaming and offering understanding support to those affected.
Conclusion
With his curiosity and scientific perseverance, Eli Somer has visualised a phenomenon that had previously received little attention. His initial studies laid the foundation for today's research into maladaptive daydreaming. By naming the phenomenon, describing it and making it measurable, he enabled those affected to understand themselves better and emerge from invisibility. Anyone interested in the historical roots and development of research will find Somer's work fascinating reading, and this article provides an introduction to the life of a true pioneer.