[giselle17]

This may sound odd, but I had a car that recently broke down and I was very attached to it. By attached I mean he had a gender, a name and a personality. It was object personification similar to that found in children with their imaginary friends. I thought of this car as a companion and I used to talk to him at length about my problems and I'd go and park at the river and just sit with him for a long time. I spent a lot of time not even driving that car, just being with him and talking to him. I have an anxiety disorder and when I used to get upset and/or have panic attacks that car was the first place I'd go to for support and I would just hug the steering wheel until I calmed down.
Approximately two months ago, I took him in for registration and he failed due a large list of reasons, the repairs costing upwards of $1500. He only cost $700 to begin with, and therefore had to be written off. I had to buy a new car (I am not attached to this one) That day I was so distraught, as if somebody close to me had died, because that's how it felt. I feel guilty as though he was like a sick human, and instead of paying for his treatment I just let him die and got a new friend. It has been two and a half months now and I haven't had to courage to call the tow truck to take him away, I'm still keeping him there and every time I look at him I feel very upset. I cried every single day for about a month after he was written off. Nobody can understand because to them it's "just a car". I'm not sure that this over-attachment to an inanimate object is normal or healthy. I never had any imaginary friends as a child and generally have a very strong hold to reality and don't usually personify objects. Why might this have occurred? Is something wrong with me?

[pegasus]

Hello giselle17, welcome to Psych Central!

I don't think it is that unusual to name and get attached to a car (especially if it is your first car,) it gave you independence and a means to freedom and you found comfort in being able to take solace and time alone away from all the worries, right.

Personally, I am attached to a lot of inanimate objects and for me it started in childhood, unable to find comfort in humans, I found objects that gave me comfort. I remember being quite young and I found a stone which to me looked like a magical diamond, something good happened after finding that stone so I believed that the stone had given me good luck.

It could be that it is related to your childhood like me or it could be you have found comfort in your car when human beings can't give you what you are looking for right now. It would be good to talk about this with your therapist if you have one, it sounds like you feel you are needing comfort for something. Hugs

Oh, not unusual at all! I drove a VW Bus for 12 years and I loved that car...had the greatest of times with it. When it finally became inoperable & I gave it away to a friend who completely rebuilt it I missed my bus so much. To this day I have dreams of driving it...they are the best dreams. Driving is an amazing privilege, and our cars are a big part of our lives, especially in most places in the U.S.

[Restin]

I think it's wonderful you care about your car that much. What make & model was it, if you don't mind? My husband loved cars and trucks as if they were people. Why would you have to get it towed? If zoning requires, maybe a friend would keep it on his place. Maybe some day you can afford to restore it. I'm sure it had a name, could you share that? I had a green Nash Rambler I drove 70 mi. round trip to college several times a week, and her name was "Hildred VonGreenenclunk".
But if you feel distressed about it all, don't feel embarrassed to seek some counseling. T's have heard of EVERYTHING believe me.

[CANDC]

Hi Giselle17
My first post disappeared so let me try again. It is funny you were mentioning about being friends with your car. I had a car for 12 years and felt we were good friends.
I also read an article on BBC news about how in isolation or extreme circumstances, many people create a relationship with an inanimate object. It helps them cope with the situation they are in.
Just thought I would share that in case their is any supportiveness in knowing that you are not alone in your friendship with your car.