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Ian asked in HealthMental Health · 6 years ago

Imaginary friends! PLEASE HELP!?

Ok so PLEASE ANSWER if you relate... Since I was about 8 or 9 I have pretended people exist, even though they don't. An example. I pretend there is a boy in my class. He has a name, an age, a date of birth, I can imagine his face. I make up who his friends are (other real people in my class). I make up his adress, his parents names, his siblings names, his pets names, etc. And I pretend he is real a lot of the time. Although I know he isn't real, and I never think he's real (I'm not crazy). But I just pretend he is and pretend it to myself. I have never told anyone. It's like an imaginary friend, but I actually pretend they're real, and not just for fun. And I can't seem to stop doing it (like it's addicting). It dosen't have any negative impacts on my life, but sometimes I'm scared it will make me crazy, if I know someone who has the same thing it will make me feel much better. And the boy in my class was an example, it can be a family member, a neighbor, a celebrity. I just pretend they exist in the real world. So please, does anybody feel the same? Or know somebody who feels the same? Or has maybe seen a documentary on it or anything? Please I am desperate! By the way I'm a 16 year old boy! So yeah that's it... PLEASE HELP! Thank you :)

2 Answers

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  • 6 years ago

    I did that the past year and a half. I don't think that it will be a problem, as long as you are aware of the line between pretend and reality. You may think that you have it under control, but with imaginary friends in teenage years, those lines can blur. I started convincing myself that the girl I made up was real and a started developing multiple mental illnesses. I've since recovered, but it was a long process and I never told a people so I had to do it alone. I think that as long as you are being careful and this friend isn't a distraction in your life and you are aware he isn't real, you should be fine.. best of luck! :)

  • 6 years ago

    I do this alot. I actually imagine real life people and have coversations with them. that sounds crazy, but if I need to calm myself down I imagine them there and talk.it out. See, I cant talk stuff out in.my head and if I do it with only myself (well, in my natural personality) I always make it worse. I dont have any real advice, but as long as you dont it out in public and stay aware he isnt real it shouldnt be a problem.

    Source(s): my 16 year old girl self
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