Have you ever had imaginary friends?

I thought this was fitting to post here.

Have you ever had imaginary friends growing up? Do you feel comfortable sharing who or what they were and what they were like?

I had lots of imaginary friends growing up. My biggest imaginary friend was a stuffed animal monkey Sam that my brother and I played with...and he survived a wildfire and a house fire, so he is very, very special to me.

I had imaginary friends in high school, too. I was mentally unstable and had gone through major trauma, on top of being a loner, so I believe it was my way of processing those experiences.

Those imaginary friends from high school came back after I suffered a major blow from an abusive, narcissitic teacher. They help me process these feelings and trauma, and although it's uncommon for someone my age to have imaginary friends, I'd say it's normal for what I've gone through, and I just tell people "I'm a writer, and these are my characters".

I never have, and to be honest, given how lonely I am, and how intriverted I am, it comes as a bit of a surprise that I don't have comfort.

the closest I have are my DID alters, but I doubt I'd call any of them friends- they are just trouble. I do like the littles but

I did used to try and make up my own stories (like a soap opera) involving the alters- trying to put them in to diffrent rolls

Yes, I did growing up.

I didn’t as such but reading about your toy monkey I realised I kind of did with my son, between us we gave his toy animals personalities and histories! It is kind of a creative exercise IMO.

Having an imaginary friend is good if it helps in overcoming ones’ trauma as they get to share their feelings. This also boosts creativity, helps in socialising and making better coping strategies.
Problem starts when a person starts to describe their friend as scary or is able to see and hear him. In these cases schizophrenia or dissociative disorder may be at play.