I don't think "imaginary companions" are normal for my age- Is there something wrong with me?!
Question: I don't think "imaginary companions" are normal for my age- Is there something wrong with me.?
You may think what I'm about to tell you is crazy. You many not. But here it goes.
As a child, I never had an "imaginary friend" or "companion", but I'm 18 and for perhaps two years now, I have something very close to an imaginary friend...
If I have had a bad time or a bad day, or if something is bothering me I often resort to talking (in my mind) to this imaginary character. It's the same "person" which I completley made up randomly some how with the same personality as always. They appear to be slightly older than me, the opposite gender (male), and extremely headstrong and aggressive.
While I have many people I consider friends, I've never really have had a great, best friend who I can talk to, probably because I'm so uncomfortable in social situation. This fake, imaginary thing seems like it's taking the place of a best friend.
Basically it's comforting to me.
I realize that this may not be normal, which is why I'm asking about it. I thought "why can't I just forget about it".
The problem is, I can't.
Exactly how uncommon is it to have something as I described at 18.? Is there something really wrong with me, or is it harmless.?Health Question & Answer
As a child, I never had an "imaginary friend" or "companion", but I'm 18 and for perhaps two years now, I have something very close to an imaginary friend...
If I have had a bad time or a bad day, or if something is bothering me I often resort to talking (in my mind) to this imaginary character. It's the same "person" which I completley made up randomly some how with the same personality as always. They appear to be slightly older than me, the opposite gender (male), and extremely headstrong and aggressive.
While I have many people I consider friends, I've never really have had a great, best friend who I can talk to, probably because I'm so uncomfortable in social situation. This fake, imaginary thing seems like it's taking the place of a best friend.
Basically it's comforting to me.
I realize that this may not be normal, which is why I'm asking about it. I thought "why can't I just forget about it".
The problem is, I can't.
Exactly how uncommon is it to have something as I described at 18.? Is there something really wrong with me, or is it harmless.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It's definitely harmless. You want to think about your day; and chances are you think best by talking about something. So you have an imaginary conversation and figure things out. It's no surprise that with a low level of social interaction, you don't always have someone to call when you need a conversation; so you're being creative and inventing someone. And why not.?--it seems to work!
Social anxiety, BTW, is a pretty common problem. The trick seems to be easing into it slowly. Find the safest possible social outlet, and use it to practice; then branch out a little at a time. Eventually, if you do it slowly enough that you feel comfortable with each new thing, you will probably be able to do most social things without major trouble. (No guarantees on giving speeches!)Health Question & Answer
Social anxiety, BTW, is a pretty common problem. The trick seems to be easing into it slowly. Find the safest possible social outlet, and use it to practice; then branch out a little at a time. Eventually, if you do it slowly enough that you feel comfortable with each new thing, you will probably be able to do most social things without major trouble. (No guarantees on giving speeches!)Health Question & Answer
I don't think that's crazy. In fact, I'm quite relieved to hear that I'm not the only one!
If you're really worried, speak to a psychologist. The fact that you know your friend is not real means that you're not psychotic (bet you're glad to hear that!). There are mental illnesses where "imaginary" friends are a symptom/feature, but I don't think you have to worry about that. Health Question & Answer
If you're really worried, speak to a psychologist. The fact that you know your friend is not real means that you're not psychotic (bet you're glad to hear that!). There are mental illnesses where "imaginary" friends are a symptom/feature, but I don't think you have to worry about that. Health Question & Answer
it may be a bit uncommon...but this is actually more common than people think. everybody thinks about other people and some people make up there own people or take people and change them to think about. its not really anything to worry about. i still have a stuffed animal that i like to talk to. as long as you realize that its not real its just a physiological way of dealing with life...which is perfectly normalHealth Question & Answer
well as long as you know that this companion guy isn't real then there is nothing wrong, its just a way of releasing stress and stuff like that.
everybody thinks to themselves but you went a step ahead and thought up an imaginary "personality" sort of thing.
id say it just means your creative.Health Question & Answer
everybody thinks to themselves but you went a step ahead and thought up an imaginary "personality" sort of thing.
id say it just means your creative.Health Question & Answer
You're fine. You may just be a bit lonely and need something to talk to. I suggest getting a small pet. I find humans particularly hard to speak to myself. If you can't however, keep talking to your buddy. It can't hurt.Health Question & Answer
you're fine.Health Question & Answer
I'm not gonna lie,I have similar tactics.I'm also 18 and a freshman in college.Now that I'm an adult meeting new people,I feel like I'm starting to grow out of it.I've never had a best friend,and since as long as I can remember,most every friend has let me down.What I do is not only talk to myself in my head (it's more like I'm talking to me than someone else) but I also talk to my stuffed animals occasionally.Recently I've been writing songs and playing my mandolin when I don't have anyone to talk to.I think everything I do is just a result of not being able to trust anyone,because no one's there for me.I don't see how it can be harmful unless this thing is becoming its own person or making your decisions.Maybe try talking to some new people,or find a chatroom online.I've found a group of people on blogtv that don't know me and I don't know them,so we can just talk to eachother without bias or background info.I think you'll be fine =)Health Question & Answer
Ah me too. I am 15 and I see myself doing this forever. Except my friend isn't with me all the time, she goes to her mom's house a lot. (Rough times with her parents divorce) And I play little imaginary games like that I am pregnant with a family, or I am a princess that got kidnapped, or something of the sort.
I think it's great to have imagination. Embrace it, write stories, be an actress. Maybe one day we can team up with our creative minds and do something great ;)
Good luck, I would suggest not telling your real friends about this, it might drive them away...Health Question & Answer
I think it's great to have imagination. Embrace it, write stories, be an actress. Maybe one day we can team up with our creative minds and do something great ;)
Good luck, I would suggest not telling your real friends about this, it might drive them away...Health Question & Answer
lots of people begin to experience signs of schizophrenia at 18-21. the fact that this companion is older, a male and aggressive or headstrong may be strong indicators of whats to come. if it is schizophrenia this companion, as you get older, may begin to take on more aggression and since he was once a "companion" you may feel a bond and feel obligated to do what it tells or advises you. these voices may at first motivate you to do things that are good for you but may at some point start telling you to do or think things that arent good. the bond is what is so scary because you feel the need to trust that companion.
this is how schizophrenia starts. not such a big deal and even somewhat comforting. but usually gets worse or morphs into an unhealthy "relationship". for instance this companion may tell you to leave an abusive relationship. on the other hand, in a few years as you grow up this companion, instead of saying "get away from him" may say things like "stab him, hes going to kill you".
be careful, know when to trust yourself and not the companion. youll know if it starts to get scary. Health Question & Answer
this is how schizophrenia starts. not such a big deal and even somewhat comforting. but usually gets worse or morphs into an unhealthy "relationship". for instance this companion may tell you to leave an abusive relationship. on the other hand, in a few years as you grow up this companion, instead of saying "get away from him" may say things like "stab him, hes going to kill you".
be careful, know when to trust yourself and not the companion. youll know if it starts to get scary. Health Question & Answer