[gaaaaaaaaaah]

At what age do you think it's appropriate for children to stop interacting with their imaginary friends? Is having imaginary friends as an adult a sign of mental illness, even if you know they are not real? I'm asking for advice because I frequently talk to my favorite imaginary companion when no one else is around. I think it's just because I don't like to be by myself, although I do spend a great deal of my time alone... Anyway, someone heard me one time and she was pretty weirded out. But after I explained it and everything she seemed more pitying than disturbed.

[Lexi232]

Well....
I dont know..
But i'm guessing it's right in there with talking to yourself (which i do. lol!) when no one is around..
If it's not harming you, I dont think it would be a problem.
Probably a coping skill you learned that worked, and then stuck to it, because it did work.
This is your life, please dont let anyone tell you how or how not to feel, or how or how not to think... You gotta do whats best for you!

If you know they are imaginary and you know they are created by you, then... I wouldn't see a problem in it.
But If that wasn't the case I would be wondering about hallucinations, or a dissociation form of some kind...

Some of us have more childlike minds... that's not a fault... some of us have greater imaginations than others.. that is NOT a fault either...

[Perna]

Yes, I've been caught talking to myself before and had others be disturbed It is not necessarily a sign of mental illness but could be a sign of a lonely, inward-looking person to be talking to imaginary friends instead of going out and making real ones. I had a group of imaginary friends I talked to, and when I decided that was not appropriate and I wanted to learn to live in the "real" world, I had a heck of a time "killing" them off; that sent me to a therapist for the next 30 years :-)

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by gaaaaaaaaaah

At what age do you think it's appropriate for children to stop interacting with their imaginary friends? Is having imaginary friends as an adult a sign of mental illness, even if you know they are not real? I'm asking for advice because I frequently talk to my favorite imaginary companion when no one else is around. I think it's just because I don't like to be by myself, although I do spend a great deal of my time alone... Anyway, someone heard me one time and she was pretty weirded out. But after I explained it and everything she seemed more pitying than disturbed.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaah, personally if this isn't a problem for you then in it isn't a problem. You say you know the friend is imaginary so it doesn't sound like a delusion or hallucination. If someone happens to over hear you how about saying you were talking to yourself? I know some people think it's odd, but plenty of people talk to themselves. I talk to myself. To me it's a way of thinking out loud.

[unaluna]

Do dolls count? I have a copy of my 2 therapy dolls at home, T calls them The Kids, at home right now they are sitting in the foyer and I say hi kids! to them a lot...

Well, it's definitely not considered the "norm" in society. But you are aware that this imaginary friend is not real, and you only talk to this friend when you're alone. Personally, I don't see the harm unless having this imaginary friend is stopping you from socializing with others. If not, then I really don't see the issue. Like Lexi said, this seems like a coping skill that you developed for when you are alone.

I think it comes down to whether or not this concerns you. If you are concerned, then maybe a change would be good. If not, then no change is needed!

I remember when I had an imaginary friend...I was about 8 years old. Her name was Megan, and she lived in the front tree in the yard. Until one day, I had her fall out of a tree, break her leg, and go to the hospital. And she never came back...pretty morbid, eh?

[gma45]

As long as you all get along go for it!

[JLarissaDragon]

Sometimes we need to express ourselves out loud. As long as you know that it is imaginary I don't see any harm in it. Ok some people may think it weird, but really is it any different than me talking to my dogs while I am on a walk. They don't really understand my vocabulary either but they do connect emotionally. I often pray out loud when I am alone as well.
We learn and experience things through a variety of avenues, i.e. writing, speaking, reading, visually etc. Verbalizing your thoughts and feelings is a very helpful tool. I find that when I am depressed (unfortunately rather frequent these days) there is a lot of solace and I gain a certain objectivity this way. I would not worry about it as long as one is not delusional. To heck with what others think

[missbelle]

I used to have many imaginary friends as a child.I was an only child and I must have been very lonely I assume. Back in those days (I am 67) children were to be seen and not heard.There was no way to discuss issues and really no therapy that I knew of. I once had a wonderful geometry teacher who I could share with. She seemed to know I had issues at home.

I think it is a way of coping but it also shows that you are lonely. Going to a therapist is o.k. but you need friends etc that you can confide in. Sometimes its hard to meet friends and have a friend who is special that will listen to you. Its a wonderful miracle anyway. Not all of us are that lucky

I hope for the New Year that you make a resolution to find more friends. Maybe finding new hobbies, groups etc will help you.We want to realize that an imaginary friend should not take the place of a real friend. I think, and its my opinion only, that relying too much on your imaginary friend could maybe keep you from developing those positive realtionships that you need in your life!! It might be time for your imaginary friend to move out!

[Gene25]

I certainly hope there is nothing with you, because I talk to myself a lot. Because of wondering if I am crazy. I have asked others if they do this. I got a surprising yes from many. I am just talking about talking to your self and not an imaginary friend. I also think it helps one to hear a certain thought aloud to see if it makes sense. In other words, what your judgement be if someone else uttered it. It seems to bring a certain amount of objectivity to it.

[bluemountains]

I use fantasy, which includes people, in order to get to sleep at night, and I am 50 years old! My fantasies are normal-not weird, I just transport my mind to a relaxing place and create a pleasant scenerio so that I can try to stop racing thoughts. My t says that this is not odd behavior. I know my "friends" aren't real, they just have all positive, fun qualities-and, of course, no one is as perfect as the people I surround myself with at night!
Bluemountains

[DenisDonnacha]

while it's not normal... that's never stopped me doing it. I talk to myself when I'm alone and then talk to "people" when I'm alone too. It makes it feel like I have company.
So aslong as they're not telling you to do bad stuff it's fine.

[Adelissa]

I am 31 and sometimes I still play pretend. I pretend I have a husband in bed with me so I don't feel alone, I pretend I live in the house of my dreams. It gets me through the bad times, but I don't let it rule my reality, because I want those things in reality eventually!

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

I use fantasy, which includes people, in order to get to sleep at night, and I am 50 years old! My fantasies are normal-not weird, I just transport my mind to a relaxing place and create a pleasant scenerio so that I can try to stop racing thoughts. My t says that this is not odd behavior. I know my "friends" aren't real, they just have all positive, fun qualities-and, of course, no one is as perfect as the people I surround myself with at night!
Bluemountains

Bluemountains, I do something similar. I mentally tell myself stories at night before I fall asleep. It helps me relax.

[gaaaaaaaaaah]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Bluemountains, I do something similar. I mentally tell myself stories at night before I fall asleep. It helps me relax.

Hey, I do that too. I've concluded by everyone's comments here that a lot of people use their imaginations as a coping devise. I feel a little less weird now (although I still have plenty of other quirks). Thanks guys.

There's probably a different dynamic between children and their imaginary friends and adults and their imaginary friends. From that point of view, imaginary friends aren't necessarily something to grow out of.

[Deedina]

I think it's ok to have an imaginary friend. it's not hurting anyone, and it's someone you can talk to who provides a lending ear, and validation, even if only in the imagination. Why not? You are clearly able to distinguish between reality and imagination, and having an imaginary friend may be filling a part of your current needs..