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Eli Somer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eli Somer
אלי זומר
Born1951 (age 74–75)
Haifa, Israel
Scientific career
FieldsClinical psychology, Maladaptive daydreaming, trauma and dissociation
WorkplacesUniversity of Haifa
Carolyn M. Tucker

Eliezer "Eli" Somer (Hebrew: אלי זומר; born 1951)[1][2][3][4] is an Israeli clinical psychologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Haifa.[5] He is known for introducing the concept of maladaptive daydreaming, a proposed psychological condition describing immersive, compulsive fantasy activity that interferes with daily functioning.[6] His research focuses on trauma, dissociation, childhood abuse, and the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders.[7] Somer is a former president of both the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD), and has received several awards for his contributions to trauma psychology and dissociation research.[8]

Biography

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Early life and education

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Somer was born in Israel on 26 August 1951 to parents who were Holocaust survivors.[9] He studied psychology at the University of Haifa, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1976 and a master's degree in 1980.[10] He earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Florida in 1984 under the supervision of Carolyn M. Tucker. His doctoral dissertation examined the influence of marital adjustment and patient engagement on treatment adherence among individuals receiving chronic hemodialysis.[11] Following his doctoral studies, Somer completed postdoctoral training in traumatic stress and clinical psychology before returning to Israel.[10]

Academic and clinical career

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Somer joined the University of Haifa in 1987 through the R. D. Wolfe Center for the Study of Psychological Stress and became a faculty member of the School of Social Work in 1992.[12] He later served as Professor of Clinical Psychology and was subsequently appointed Professor Emeritus.[10] Alongside his academic career, he was clinical director of the Maytal – Israel Institute for Treatment and Study of Stress from 1987 to 2007.[13][14]

His work has combined academic research with clinical practice, focusing on trauma-related disorders, dissociation, hypnosis, childhood abuse, and imagination-related psychopathology. Somer is certified by the Israeli Ministry of Health as a supervisor in both clinical psychology and hypnosis and has continued to work as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor while maintaining an active research program. He also has served as scientific adviser to Trauma and Dissociation Israel and has held leadership positions in several international professional organizations devoted to trauma and dissociation.[15][16][17][4]

Research

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Somer's research focuses on psychological trauma, dissociation, the outcome of childhood maltreatment, and the clinical assessment of trauma-related disorders. His early work examined delayed disclosure of childhood sexual abuse, therapist misconduct, dissociative experiences, psychosocial stress, and the psychological consequences of terrorism and armed conflict. He has also contributed to research on hypnosis, attachment, emotion regulation, and cross-cultural aspects of trauma.[18]

In 2002, Somer introduced the term maladaptive daydreaming in a qualitative study of six patients, describing immersive fantasy activity that interfered with interpersonal, academic, or vocational functioning.[19] His original qualitative study established the theoretical foundation for subsequent research into the phenomenon, which has since become an international area of investigation involving researchers from psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.[20]

Following his initial description of maladaptive daydreaming, Somer collaborated with researchers internationally on its assessment and characterization. In 2016, Somer, Jonathan Lehrfeld, Jayne Bigelsen, and Daniela S. Jopp developed and validated the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS), a 14-item self-report measure designed to assess maladaptive daydreaming. The original MDS identified three related dimensions: yearning, kinesthesia, and impairment, and demonstrated internal consistency, temporal stability, and validity in distinguishing participants with and without maladaptive daydreaming.[21] The scale was subsequently expanded to 16 items, with two additional items addressing the role of music in initiating or maintaining daydreaming; this version became known as the MDS-16.[22]

In 2017, Somer, Nirit Soffer-Dudek, Colin A. Ross, and Naomi Halpern developed the Structured Clinical Interview for Maladaptive Daydreaming (SCIMD) and proposed diagnostic criteria for the condition. The interview was adapted from the structure of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 and was designed to assess the proposed diagnostic criteria through a structured clinical interview.[23] In an initial study involving participants with and without maladaptive daydreaming, the researchers examined the agreement between interviewers and the relationship between the interview and the MDS. Subsequent studies have used the SCIMD alongside the MDS-16 in examining maladaptive daydreaming.[24]

Somer's subsequent research has examined the prevalence and characteristics of maladaptive daydreaming and its associations with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, dissociation, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions.[21] Research has also examined associations between maladaptive daydreaming and traumatic experiences. Some studies have reported relationships between maladaptive daydreaming and childhood trauma, while other research has identified maladaptive daydreaming in individuals without reported trauma histories. These findings have led researchers to consider trauma as one possible developmental factor rather than a universal explanation for the phenomenon.[25]

During the late 2010s and 2020s, Somer's scholarship expanded into longitudinal and cross-cultural investigations of maladaptive daydreaming.[26] His publications examined the condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, investigated its overlap with depersonalization-derealization disorder and dissociative identity disorder, and evaluated emerging phenomena such as "reality shifting''.[27][28] He has also contributed to international position papers discussing the current evidence, diagnostic challenges, and future directions for maladaptive daydreaming research.

A 2022 study estimated a point prevalence of 2.5 percent in the general Israeli-Jewish population, with higher rates among young adults and student samples. Prevalence in other national and cultural populations remains to be established.[29]

Somer's research on maladaptive daydreaming has received coverage from international media, including BBC News[20], The Wall Street Journal[5], The Guardian[30], Scientific American[31], and New Scientist.[32]

Alongside his journal articles, Somer has authored and edited books on psychotherapy, trauma, dissociation, and mental health. His 1999 book on dual relationships in psychotherapy examined ethical issues surrounding therapist-client sexual exploitation, while Mental Health in Terror's Shadow (2005), co-edited with Arieh Bleich, explored the psychological impact of terrorism in Israel.[33] In 2026, he published Trapped in Fantasy: When Fantasy Takes Over Life a Hebrew-language volume synthesizing more than two decades of clinical and scientific work on maladaptive daydreaming, bringing together current knowledge on its assessment, treatment, and relationship to trauma and dissociation.[7]

Professional leadership

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Somer has held leadership positions in several international organizations devoted to the study and treatment of trauma and dissociation. He served as president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) from 2005 to 2006 and of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD) from 2009 to 2011. He has also served as scientific adviser to Trauma and Dissociation Israel (TDIL), contributed to professional education and clinical training, and participated in editorial and advisory activities related to trauma, dissociation, and psychotherapy.[8]

Forensic and public work

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Alongside his academic research and clinical practice, Somer has served as an expert witness and consultant in Israeli legal proceedings involving psychological trauma, dissociation, childhood sexual abuse, and delayed disclosure. His expert opinions have been cited in court proceedings and public discussions concerning traumatic memory and the psychological effects of abuse.[34] He has studied delayed disclosure of abuse, dissociation, therapist sexual misconduct, and the psychological consequences of interpersonal violence.[35] His research on therapist–client sexual exploitation examined survivors' retrospective accounts and informed discussions of professional ethics and patient protection.[36]He has also trained mental health professionals, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and rape crisis volunteers on the psychological effects of trauma and dissociation.[7]

Somer has served as an expert witness in Israeli courts on matters relating to trauma, dissociation, childhood sexual abuse, and psychiatric assessment.[1][37][7]

Publications

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Books

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Articles

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Awards and honors

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Eli Somer at Haifa University". Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  2. ↑ "ESTD - board". Archived from the original on 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  3. ↑ "Slander and Betrayal". Archived from the original on 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  4. 1 2 "TDIL - officers". Archived from the original on 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  5. 1 2 Reddy, Sumathi (2016-05-09). "When Daydreaming Becomes a Problem". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
  6. ↑ Somer, Eli; Iyer, Ashwini S. (2026). "Literature as early witness: Immersive and maladaptive daydreaming before their recognition in psychology". Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. doi:10.1037/cns0000478.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Aderet, Ofer. "Forget About Doomscrolling. It's Daydreaming That Will Ruin Your Life". Haaretz.
  8. 1 2 "Transcript Guest Eli Sommer". System Speak. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  9. ↑ I wanted to look into the Nazi monster's eyes, YNET, Moran Rada, 26 Feb 2007
  10. 1 2 3 Eli Somer CV, Haifa University
  11. ↑ SPOUSE MARITAL ADJUSTMENT AND PATIENT LIFE ENGAGEMENT FACTORS IN DIETARY COMPLIANCE OF CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS (doctoral thesis), Eli Somer, 1984
  12. ↑ Somer, Eli; Ben-Aryeh, H.; Laufer, D. (February 1993). "Somer, Eli, Hannah Ben-Aryeh, and Dov Laufer. "Salivary composition, gender and psychosocial stress." International Journal of Psychosomatics 40 (1993): 17-17". International Journal of Psychosomatics : Official Publication of the International Psychosomatics Institute. 40: 17–21. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "- פסיכותרפיה בחיפה - טיפול בטראומה - פסיכותרפיה - פסיכולוג בחיפה - פסיכולוגים מומלצים - טיפול פסיכולוגי בחיפה - טיפול בחרדה - טיפול בדיכאון - מ.י.ט.ל". www.somer.co.il. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  14. ↑ [Somer, Eli, and Meir Saadon. "Therapist-client sex: Clients' retrospective reports." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 30.5 (1999): 504. http://www.somer.co.il/articles/1999.tcs.pdf
  15. ↑ Girl claims: Instructor at boarding school threatened to hit me, Walla, Kobi David, 13 March 2012
  16. ↑ "Israel ministry of health license information". Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  17. ↑ Somer – Counseling and Psychotherapy: about, somer.co.il
  18. ↑ Somer, Eli (2002). "Maladaptive Daydreaming: A Qualitative Inquiry". Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. 32 (2/3): 197–212. doi:10.1023/A:1020597026919.
  19. ↑ "'A parallel world': The people lost in addictive daydreams". www.bbc.com. 2026-06-01. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  20. 1 2 "The daydream that never stops". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
  21. 1 2 Somer, Eli; Lehrfeld, Jonathan; Bigelsen, Jayne; Jopp, Daniela S. (2016). "Development and validation of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS)". Consciousness and Cognition. 39: 77–91. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2015.12.001. ISSN 1053-8100. PMID 26707384.
  22. ↑ Abu-Rayya, Hisham Motkal; Somer, Eli; Meari-Amir, Suha (2019). "The psychometric properties of the Arabic 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16-AR) in a multicountry Arab sample". Psychology of Consciousness: Theory Research, and Practice. 6 (2): 171–183. doi:10.1037/cns0000183. ISSN 2326-5523.
  23. ↑ Somer, Eli; Soffer-Dudek, Nirit; Ross, Colin A.; Halpern, Naomi (2017). "Maladaptive daydreaming: Proposed diagnostic criteria and their assessment with a structured clinical interview". Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. 4 (2): 176–189. doi:10.1037/cns0000114. ISSN 2326-5531.
  24. ↑ Soffer-Dudek, Nirit; Theodor-Katz, Nitzan (2022). "Maladaptive Daydreaming: Epidemiological Data on a Newly Identified Syndrome". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13 871041. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.871041. ISSN 1664-0640. PMC 9091653. PMID 35573338.
  25. ↑ Schimmenti, Adriano; Sideli, Lucia; La Marca, Luana; Gori, Alessio; Terrone, Grazia (2020). "Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) in an Italian Sample". Journal of Personality Assessment. 102 (5): 689–701. doi:10.1080/00223891.2019.1594240. ISSN 1532-7752. PMID 31012744.
  26. ↑ Somer, Eli; Herscu, Oren; Samara, Muthanna; Abu-Rayya, Hisham M. (2025). "Maladaptive Daydreaming and Psychopathology: A Meta-Analysis". International Journal of Psychology: Journal International de Psychologie. 60 (2) e70027. doi:10.1002/ijop.70027. ISSN 1464-066X. PMC 11858500. PMID 39999955.
  27. ↑ Somer, Eli; Abu-Rayya, Hisham M.; Schimmenti, Adriano; Metin, Bariş; Brenner, Reut; Ferrante, Erika; Göçmen, Buse; Marino, Alessia (2020). "Heightened Levels of Maladaptive Daydreaming Are Associated With COVID-19 Lockdown, Pre-existing Psychiatric Diagnoses, and Intensified Psychological Dysfunctions: A Multi-country Study". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 11 587455. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.587455. ISSN 1664-0640. PMC 7667241. PMID 33240135.
  28. ↑ Somer, Eli; Cardeña, Etzel; Catelan, Ramiro Figueiredo; Soffer-Dudek, Nirit (2021-10-30). "Reality shifting: psychological features of an emergent online daydreaming culture". Current Psychology. 42 (14): 11415–11427. doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02439-3. ISSN 1046-1310. PMC 8556810. PMID 34744401.
  29. ↑ Soffer-Dudek, Nirit; Theodor-Katz, Nitzan (2022-04-27). "Maladaptive Daydreaming: Epidemiological Data on a Newly Identified Syndrome". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13 871041. Frontiers. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.871041. ISSN 1664-0640. PMC 9091653. PMID 35573338.
  30. ↑ Robson, David (2022-08-28). "'I just go into my head and enjoy it': the people who can't stop daydreaming". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
  31. ↑ Glausiusz, Josie (2017-03-01). "Living in an Imaginary World". Scientific American. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
  32. ↑ Taipale, Eric (2022). "The dark side of daydreaming". New Scientist. 255 (3397): 46–49. Bibcode:2022NewSc.255...46T. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(22)01359-8.
  33. ↑ Somer, E.; Bleich, A., eds. (2005). Mental Health In Terror's Shadow: The Israeli Experience. Tel Aviv (in Hebrew). Ramot - Tel Aviv University.
  34. ↑ "A New Series of Studies Identifies an Unknown Psychological Disorder:Maladaptive Daydreaming". News wise.
  35. ↑ Somer, Eli; Szwarcberg, Sharona (2001). "Variables in delayed disclosure of childhood sexual abuse". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 71 (3): 332–341. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.71.3.332. ISSN 1939-0025. PMID 11495335.
  36. ↑ Somer, Eli; Nachmani, Irit (2005-01-01). "Constructions of Therapist-Client Sex: A Comparative Analysis of Retrospective Victim Reports". Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment. 17 (1): 47–62. doi:10.1007/s11194-005-1210-z. ISSN 1573-286X. PMID 15757005.
  37. ↑ "2026 Eli Somer: Psychology Researcher – H-Index, Publications & Awards". Research.com. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  38. 1 2 "Eli Somer". Loop.
  39. 1 2 Annual Awards Archived 2019-02-04 at the Wayback Machine, ISSTD
  40. ↑ ISSTD Fellows Archived 2017-10-03 at the Wayback Machine, ISSTD
  41. ↑ "Transcript Guest Eli Sommer". System Speak. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  42. ↑ "Eli Somer". Kavod. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
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