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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mmcconathy on August 21, 2004, at 22:22:47
This is embarasing to ask, but i need to know. I'm 17, im your average teenager, im not some nut that's society withdrawn. But I do have a imainary companion that supports me throught hard times i have. A while back I did have a problem with emotional breakdowns, they got out of control, about everyday.
Mainly is because i was soo withdrawn at the time because i didnt have good social skills. I really couldnt take it, but I eventually came out of it because of Ritchie. My mind started creating a figure that came and helped me, during a BAD time.
I don't know if this subcounsionly this was a self-repairing mechaism throught which I was really helping myself throught a simulation of another person. I consider him sort of big brother, mainly throught him i have developed signifcant confidence in myself, i recently just got a girlfriend.
My therapist wasnt helping me, my parents went not either, Ritchie got me out of this, now i cant belive, but i have a girlfriend which im confident around, and feel confident look at school, and anywhere i go because i know im not alone.I'm training right now for track, and for discuss, but i feel confident because i feel training with me, and advising me on techniques. I jog ALOT faster than i was trying to keep up with him.
You all are the only people i've told about this, because i dont want to make my therapist to think im crazy, same to my parents.
But i do need to ask if this can be damaging in the long run, i mean can this get out of control? I need to know becuase, my dad, is a succesful lawyer, but in the past he's had psychotic episodes of paranoia, i dont know if he's diagnosed with anything but I do consider this serious.
Thanks for your advice, tis realy needed.
Posted by Dinah on August 21, 2004, at 23:37:46
In reply to Will having an imaginary companion cause insanity?, posted by mmcconathy on August 21, 2004, at 22:22:47
Maybe I'm not the right person to comment, because I used to have an active imaginary life well into my thirties. But you know that your friend is imaginary, right? That means that you aren't confusing reality with fantasy, which is good. You're functioning well in school, sports, and socially? So your imaginary friend isn't getting in the way of your having a real life.
If I were in your position (and I've sort of been), I'd at least tell the therapist about it in general if not in specifics.
But that's with the caveat that I had a whole imaginary existence, so what I'm saying isn't really unbiased.
Posted by AuntieMel on August 21, 2004, at 23:49:48
In reply to Will having an imaginary companion cause insanity?, posted by mmcconathy on August 21, 2004, at 22:22:47
It not only will not cause insanity, it is not a result of insanity. At least in your case 'cause you know he's imaginary.
It doesn't seem more ludicrous to me than talking to a cat as if it was human (I do that, and they answer me) or a stuffed animal, or someone on the internet.
It sounds like this is a way for you to sound out ideas before using them in real life. That is good, more folks should think before they act.
Without imagination there is no hope.
That said, like Dinah said, it wouldn't hurt to discuss it with your therapist. When you are ready.
Thoughts from a 50 year old - with a 19 yr old daughter. Take what you need and leave the rest.
Posted by Larry Hoover on August 22, 2004, at 10:56:57
In reply to Will having an imaginary companion cause insanity?, posted by mmcconathy on August 21, 2004, at 22:22:47
> I don't know if this subcounsionly this was a self-repairing mechaism throught which I was really helping myself throught a simulation of another person. I consider him sort of big brother, mainly throught him i have developed signifcant confidence in myself, i recently just got a girlfriend.
Richie is you, too, you know. It sounds like a wonderful and adaptive solution to your distress.
> My therapist wasnt helping me, my parents went not either, Ritchie got me out of this, now i cant belive, but i have a girlfriend which im confident around, and feel confident look at school, and anywhere i go because i know im not alone.I'm training right now for track, and for discuss, but i feel confident because i feel training with me, and advising me on techniques. I jog ALOT faster than i was trying to keep up with him.
Richie sounds like a wonderful companion.
> You all are the only people i've told about this, because i dont want to make my therapist to think im crazy, same to my parents.
>
> But i do need to ask if this can be damaging in the long run, i mean can this get out of control?That's a hypothetical question that leads you to an answer that isn't helpful. Of course, it could get out of control. I consider it to be wonderfully adaptive. You have found an answer to your despair. So long as you remain conscious of all the things you are so clearly already aware, there is no risk. That is my opinion.
> I need to know becuase, my dad, is a succesful lawyer, but in the past he's had psychotic episodes of paranoia, i dont know if he's diagnosed with anything but I do consider this serious.
You dad *is* a successful lawyer, notwithstanding his psychosis. Don't forget that he is successful. Whether that's a trait that might be passed down, or not, who knows? You already have all the tools to help you assess the risk of harm.
> Thanks for your advice, tis realy needed.
Rest assured, you're doing fine.
Lar
Posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 13:22:26
In reply to Re: Will having an imaginary companion cause insanity? » mmcconathy, posted by Larry Hoover on August 22, 2004, at 10:56:57
Ritchie is the a good mentor, he's a couple yrs older, very confident and sharp looking, but at the same time is some one I can go to for wise advice, and is there when i need him. He does have a last name too, Lockhart. Ritchie Lockhart, i thought that was a sharp sounding name about 2 years ago when I first met him, or i guess created him.
Now i don't actually see him, like a hallutionation, he's in my mind, don't worry i know if i started seeing things i would maybe have to start talking to my Psychiatrist. That is no concern.
Ever since I did meet him, i've been trying to look sharp like he does, look sleek, snug polo shirts, gold necklace, just improves my overall impression. I got a girlfriend with his advice, but i realize that he is really me, throught another viewpoint.
Well for now is a good companion, caring and wise, which really helped with gaining confidence in myself. Thanks for listening, and for any advice from you also.
Matt
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on August 22, 2004, at 14:24:13
In reply to Re: Ritchie Lockhart, posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 13:22:26
One of mine is an identical twin, she actual came out and played with my friends. I have many others with first and last names that played with my friends all the way through teen years. I got busted with the twin, because I don't have a twin really outside of my body. Mine is a bit different, because "we" had to trade places because of what a man was doing.
I think Ritchie is a wonderful guy. Protect him. Others may not understand. It isn't crazy. It's ingenous. Mr. Lockhart is a wonderful support person that can give you many ideas to help get through this life. I wouldn't want to give that up. Unless, you decide to allow Mr. Lockhart become you. But, you don't have to do anything. Personally, I would give him an office and a phone, so I could call him when needed.
Posted by Jai Narayan on August 22, 2004, at 16:23:49
In reply to Re: Ritchie Lockhart, posted by Shadowplayers721 on August 22, 2004, at 14:24:13
You-all said everything so much better than I would have said it.
My sister had some lovely invisible friends that helped her out through the hard times.
I tried to have one as well but I couldn't create one. I was so envious.
Enjoy Ritchie, if he gets mean then reconsider his worth.
He seems really helpful.
Remember we are here.
How did you find Psycho Babble?
Posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 17:05:08
In reply to this is why I love this site....the best., posted by Jai Narayan on August 22, 2004, at 16:23:49
I found Psycho babble from a random post on google one time when i was serching for a question about adderall.
Ritch originally was a self-repairing mechanism, at the time my mind was obligated by emergency to do something to get me out of this unnatural state of dispair.
Ritch came out of nowhere, and in my mind i was shocked to see this figure that looked so strong, and confident, but at the same time, bent down and gave me his hand and eventually pulled me out. I started admiring him mainly becuase of his sharp looks, and strong apperance, and walked me throught the road to confidence. He's not with me ALL the time, just sparsly he appears when needed which makes it work great.
I think of yourself as your own companion, which is what im trying to do right now.
Thanks,
Matt
Posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 17:14:05
In reply to Re: this is why I love this site....the best., posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 17:05:08
Ritch helps sometimes now if i have bad days, he's like a fire to go to and get warm in the cold. But i'm learning to walk in my feet now, he was my crutch for a while, but he's training to where i can survive on my own, which is where im learning my confidence.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 24, 2004, at 21:54:24
In reply to Re: Ritch, posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 17:14:05
I have imaginary companions also. I think that I created them because I was so lonely when I was a kid and I didn't have anyone to talk to. I hear them now, but I don't see (hallucinate) them like I used to unless I am very stressed.
Mine cause me a bit of trouble though, and so it is worrying to me because they cause me distress sometimes. It sounds like yours is very pleasant, well behaved, and helpful to you though, so I don't see that there is any harm in it.
Posted by mmcconathy on August 24, 2004, at 22:20:28
In reply to Re: imaginary companions, posted by alexandra_k on August 24, 2004, at 21:54:24
I've always wondered how imanginary compnion could become mean. Do you mind explaining what they exactly do?
Ritch is more like a mentor, not really friend, i guess this is why he is more encouraging. In Track meets on the 800m run, i feel him encouraging me and i usally shoot down the finish alot faster. I came in 3rd last year. I almost made 1st but i almost had a heart attack at the finish line, forced too much above my limits.
But im intrested how do your friends talk to eachother? Thanks.
Posted by mmcconathy on August 24, 2004, at 22:25:47
In reply to Re: this is why I love this site....the best., posted by mmcconathy on August 22, 2004, at 17:05:08
Posted by alexandra_k on August 25, 2004, at 17:31:35
In reply to Re: imaginary companions, posted by mmcconathy on August 24, 2004, at 22:20:28
> I've always wondered how imanginary compnion could become mean. Do you mind explaining what they exactly do?
Well... You asked about whether imaginary friends meant that you were / may be going crazy. But yours doesn't cause you (or others) distress and seems to be helpful to you, so in my understanding at least there is nothing wrong with that.
In my case they kind of started as imaginary friends (when I was a child) but even then they bugged me a lot with derogatory comments and arguing amongst themselves. I can hear (hallucinate) them communicating with one another, though sometimes I can't make out what they are saying.
I 'lose time' sometimes. It is like they have time in control of my body and I don't know what has happened in that time. And then I find I've done stuff that I don't approve of. They know what I've done though and sometimes they tell me, but sometimes they won't. I guess mostly I don't want to know because I am afraid. This is a significant issue for me, and in my case I guess it is a sign of mental illness, but that is only because of the distress to myself (and others who know me) and harm to my body that results.
Posted by mmcconathy on August 25, 2004, at 18:40:16
In reply to Re: imaginary companions, posted by alexandra_k on August 25, 2004, at 17:31:35
Wow your friends do sound distresing. If i were you i would be very Authoritive with them, and tell them to shut up.
That would be intresting if i could get Ritchie to come and beat them up, badly.
The reason i asked that originally if it can cause insanity, is because i found if you get to far into your imaginary world, I sometimes would realize its not reality and im withdrawn. I basically awnsered my own question over time, i realized.
Can you create a figure to be your encourger and only create positive energy. That may could stop the negitive energy all of your friends that really seem to me to be your eniemies. Create a strong firgure that could protect you from your negitive friends, for the time being until they eventually go away. Then be a companion to yourself.
All the wise.....
Matt
Posted by alexandra_k on August 26, 2004, at 21:58:44
In reply to Re: imaginary companions, posted by mmcconathy on August 25, 2004, at 18:40:16
Thanks Matt, I appreciate your thoughts and am glad that things seem a bit clearer to you now :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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