I've told this story before, so apologies for repeating it... I once conducted an imaginary conversation with T, out loud, when I was standing at a bus stop in a deserted street. When I turned around, T was right in front of me, he'd walked up from behind when I was turned in the other direction. (I wasn't speaking very loudly and T just said "hello" and walked on - I don't think he could really have heard me, and definitely not what I was saying. But that was kind of a moment!)

And yes, I do it very often.

To respond to the OP, I think it's a bit patronising of the article writers to say that people who want affection are "sad". It's a normal human need. (I haven't read the article, but if it made you feel sad and pathetic for wanting to have that aching void filled, it sounds more cruel than insightful.)