[YongSun24]

I often talk to myself (mostly when I'm alone tho) and laugh at some words I am thinking of and find funny. My mum would ask me why I am laughing so hard and tearing up and I will tell her that I made up some joke, then she will make a weird face, probably thinking that I'm crazy. I have always thought it was normal, but I'm beginning to realize that people find it extremely strange, especially laughing by yourself at your own jokes/thoughts. I am aware of the fact that there's no one talking to me back. I just need your opinion regarding this "problematic" behaviour. In addition, I've heard that people who can tickle themselves are abnormal. I also need your opinion on this, since I am able to tickle myself. Now I will move on to more serious things that I am really concerned of.
I sometimes hear someone in my head say things like "If you keep doing [insert action here] you'll get [insert illness here]". There are times when someone speaks in the first person, as if they were me, saying things like "I am cursing [insert family member here]". Three years ago was the first time I had ever heard that in my head and started to cry, thinking I was a horrible person. But in fact, I feel like it wasn't me saying that. Like some intruder in my head. I hate no one in my family! It's hard to stop those thoughts. I don't really know if they're thoughts or voices. But most of the time I believe what they say and do as they tell me.
I would appreciate any piece of advice. I am really worried right now.
Thank you in advance!

[WishfulThinker66]

Whose voice is that inner voice?

I will hear my mother's voice at times making a running negative commentary say for instance when I look at myself in the mirror it is her voice in my head criticising me. I've told various mental healthcare givers this and none have really reacted to it so I figure it is fairly normal. Now if you were to be having a conversation with the inner voice or it was telling you to do some inappropriate behaviour, that might be concerning. Anyway, what I am trying to say is I think it normal to an extent to have an inner voice - call it perhaps your conscience.

[YongSun24]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

Whose voice is that inner voice?

I will hear my mother's voice at times making a running negative commentary say for instance when I look at myself in the mirror it is her voice in my head criticising me. I've told various mental healthcare givers this and none have really reacted to it so I figure it is fairly normal. Now if you were to be having a conversation with the inner voice or it was telling you to do some inappropriate behaviour, that might be concerning. Anyway, what I am trying to say is I think it normal to an extent to have an inner voice - call it perhaps your conscience.

Thank you for your answer!
Well...I sometimes hear my own voice saying things like "I'm cursing my brother". I'll never curse my brother.....

[Skeezyks]

Hello YongSun: I believe this is your second thread here on PC. The first, as I recall, was in the Women-Focused Support forum. (As a guy, I'm not allowed there.) So anyway... I'd like to take this opportunity to say welcome to Psych Central.

I'm sorry I doubt there is a lot I can offer with regard to the concerns you mentioned in your post. We, here on PC, cannot offer mental health diagnoses, as you probably know. Plus I'm not a mental health professional. So I would not be able to suggest anything with regard to what the experiences you describe might point toward. I tend to have a lot of self talk going on in my head all the time. And it's not unusual for me to suddenly, & involuntarily, begin saying what I'm thinking about out loud. (It can sometimes be a bit embarrassing.) In my case, I tend to struggle with a lot of generalized anxiety. And I suspect the things I do are perhaps related to that.

In order for you to figure out what is causing you to do the things you're concerned about, I suspect you may need to consult a mental health professional... perhaps a therapist, a psychologist or psychiatrist. I noted you closed your post by writing you're really worried right now. One thing I believe is that worry & anxiety tend to feed on themselves. You begin to worry about something & then you start to worry about the fact you're worried. It can become a vicious circle, so to speak. And all of this worry, plus its accompanying anxiety & stress, just tends to make the things you were worried about to begin with worse. So I do believe it is important to, in one way or another, come to some understanding with regard to what's going on with you so that you can put your mind at rest & calm your worry. Perhaps being here on PC can be helpful with that. But, in addition, hopefully there will be someone you can talk to in real life as well. My best wishes to you...

[Open Eyes]

Hi YongSun, welcome to Psych Central. It's not bad to talk to yourself, a lot of people actually do that, I read it's a sign of intelligence. Also, keep in mind that we are actually our own best listeners too. It's also not strange to suddenly think of something that's funny and laugh either.

Our brains are taking in a lot of information, more than we realize yet, if you think about it, that is actually what our computers do too and we designed computers to be compatible with our brains.

Also, just because your brain recalls in a voice a message that you have received (we also definitely take in a lot of messages each day too), this really doesn't mean that just because you experience this that this message is true and you need to act on it. Keep in mind that we see a great deal of advertisements trying to get us to purchase things, yet it doesn't mean we really need to suddenly decide to purchase the things we see advertised.

It sounds like you are still young yet as you are living at home etc. Well, it's important to understand that a human beings brain doesn't fully mature until around age 25. Also, a human being goes through hormonal changes and that most definitely has an affect how a person feels and reasons as well.

Also, it is possible to tickle yourself so I don't know where you heard that it's not normal if you can tickle yourself.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're hurting, YoungSun24. I don't think there's anything weird with laughing at your own jokes or tickling yourself. I understand your concerns with the voices in your head, though. Does this happen often? If you're worried, perhaps you could talk to a doctor about this and see how it goes from there. Maybe that could help. But as long as your voices are not saying anything hurtful or dangerous, perhaps you don't need to worry too much. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Medusax]

I think a lot. I don't like my job and it is repetitive and I am up and away in my head all day. I occasionally play movie scenes to pass the time. Sometimes I think of a memory that makes me laugh and have to try really hard not to, which makes me laugh harder. . I also call myself names when I mess up.."Good job, Dumba**, you really should do that more often."

[Rive1976]

It sounds like you may have schizophrenia and Ocd but Im not an expert.

YoungSun24 it's actually totally normal to talk to yourself out loud. And it IS verified by science that intelligent people mostly do this. I talk out loud to myself all the time, AND I even crack jokes to myself and laugh at them afterward. And I don't see myself as crazy for doing that.

I think you sound very lonely which makes sense to me; your family doesn't seem to be supportive of you. If that is the case, try to find a way to move in with a roommate or two. The more distance you put between toxic people (even when they are family members) the better you will feel.

It sounds like you have some negative self-talk. Also very normal when one's self-esteem is low. Negative self-talk can be turned into positive self-talk with cognitive therapy techniques. So, maybe try to find a counselor who offers cognitive therapy who can teach you how to reprogram your self thoughts to be more positive.

[YongSun24]

Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche

YoungSun24 it's actually totally normal to talk to yourself out loud. And it IS verified by science that intelligent people mostly do this. I talk out loud to myself all the time, AND I even crack jokes to myself and laugh at them afterward. And I don't see myself as crazy for doing that.

I think you sound very lonely which makes sense to me; your family doesn't seem to be supportive of you. If that is the case, try to find a way to move in with a roommate or two. The more distance you put between toxic people (even when they are family members) the better you will feel.

It sounds like you have some negative self-talk. Also very normal when one's self-esteem is low. Negative self-talk can be turned into positive self-talk with cognitive therapy techniques. So, maybe try to find a counselor who offers cognitive therapy who can teach you how to reprogram your self thoughts to be more positive.

Thank you for answering! But in fact, my self esteem is really high and my family is very supportive. Those thoughts aren't really self talk. I can't stop them. I appreciate your reply!

Originally Posted by YongSun24

Thank you for answering! But in fact, my self esteem is really high and my family is very supportive. Those thoughts aren't really self talk. I can't stop them. I appreciate your reply!

YoungSun24 quick question: did you ever have the virus EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) which causes Mono? More and more research links this viral infection to schizophrenia. I'm not diagnosing you but offering you the suggestion that maybe you should consider getting a blood titer test for Mono if you ever had it, b/c the amount of antibodies left over (if high) can indicate the presence of schizophrenia. Again, this is not a diagnosis as much as it's information for you.

I have attached an article about some recent studies done to connect viral infections to schizophrenia. It's very interesting to say the least, how viral infections that our body fights, can leave behind devastating side effects on our mental and physical health.

People With Schizophrenia Have a Strange, Telling Response to The Epstein Barr Virus

[LucyD]

You sound normal to me and I have studied abnormal psychology. We all have some characteristics that exaggerate themselves at times and particularly during stressful times. Perhaps you may want to see a therapist to help with negative thoughts if you are not able to change them by yourself. I get a lot of negative thoughts and like the ones you describe. I find personally that trying to have gratefulness for all the good in ones life helps a lot. Then keeping busy doing things I like helps, too. Best wishes to you.