Is Talking to yourself a sign of mental illness?

When I have stopped talking to myself, that's when very I'm depressed . I'm trying to be invisible , even to myself I guess .

Wow thanks everyone for the answers I loved reading all of them. I think the talking to myself is more loneliness than anything. I dont have many people to talk to and I think i am afraid to open up because of everything that's happen in the past. I do it in public sometimes like when i am at the store or walking but maybe that can be referred to thinking out loud. I'm glad to see I am not alone though I talk to my cat sometimes lol I think thats normal because he meows back Thought I would add some humor there

I was muttering to myself when I saw your post and had to chuckle. I agree with everyone in that it feels OK to me though it's fairly new for me (I think) or maybe I've just become aware of it. I will guess that the more you "talk" with others in the forums (or elsewhere), the less you'll feel compelled to do it "solo"! And I fully agree, unless you begin to feel there is someone ELSE in your head, you needn't feel anything is whack with you. I, too, haven't had much of an outlet for my "stuff" so that's probably what's going on with my own self chatter. This is a good place for us, I feel (as a newcomer) and no one is going to judge.

I think people have a need to say a certain number of words a day, and if you aren't getting in your quota through conversation with others you're going to say a few things out loud to yourself now and again. I'd be more concerned with someone that stays mute all the time, personally.

very interesting
i love this

I've heard it said it's fine to talk to yourself unless you start answering back.

I used to get a kick out of a therapist I had. She would talk to herself sometimes. She wouldn't realize I was coming around the corner or up the steps and so was able to hear her!