Is it normal to talk to yourself constantly, as though you were another person?

62% Normal
27 Comments

Okay, for about 90% of my life, ive been incredibly lonely, I dunno if its solitude (I like being lonely) or whether im on the edge of losing all my sanity, or have already lost it, I do like being alone but at the same time i dont, dont get me wrong, i have plenty of friends, I just, dont like going out with them much, because of my anxiety, paranoia, depression and self-conciousness. Ever since i was 12 my mum used to leave me at home alone and work, even before i was 12 my mum used to leave me at my grandparents to work i only saw her 2 days a week until i was 11, i lived far from anyone i knew, i never had brothers or sisters, or even a dad for that matter. I would occasionally quietly sit there playing games, watching tv, exercising. But quite alot if i was doing something i would talk to myself, as though im watching myself do everything, just to keep myself company. For instance:
When im grabbing food i would say "Charlie dont have that beef, choose the ham its waaay nicer"
"Yeah i know tell me about it hams the best, busy day to day, gotta keep those calories coming, im pretty bored too you know!"

When im exercising i give myself harsh criticism.
"Come on charlie 6 more push ups, you weren't always this weak, if dad was around he wouldnt even give you a second glance, everyone in your family is 10 times stronger than you will ever be."
"I know im trying my best, i wont give in ill never give in! Hey? Is King of Queens on in 20 minutes?"
"Yeah it is"

When im playing a game i give myself a running commentary.
"Good kill, good kill! quick get away from that other guy!"
"Im trying! coool it fooooo'!"

Or just passing by myself in the mirror.
"Charlie the hell are you doing!"
"going to brush my teeth, what does it look like you reject?"

Is this normal? Or am i completely Insane, my mum kept leaving me at home until i was..., well she still does, true i live with my mum, im 20, most people around here still do. But i dont talk to myself as much when i was little. Has anyone else done this? Or should i consult a psyciatrist?

Voting Results
62% Normal
Based on 110 votes (68 yes)
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Comments ( 27 )
  • DADNSCAL
    11 years ago

    Talking to yourself to an extent is normal, but 90% indicates deeper problems, which you talk about: isolation, low self esteem, depression, and anxiety. The subvocalization is only a symptom. I think you should see a therapist as soon as possible. Good luck.

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  • dirtybirdy
    11 years ago

    Birdy.....do we do this?
    Maybe...who's askin?!?!?!
    I dunno, someone named charlie.
    We don't know this charlie!!!!
    Oh dear birdy what shall we do?
    I don't know but we better be quiet before someone hears us!!!
    Good idea cuckoo bird, good idea.
    It is, now why are you still skwakin?!?!
    I'm sorry. Shhhhhhhhhh!!!!
    Ok.

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    • MilleBornes
      11 years ago

      Hilarious!

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  • KnightNigelWellingtonXXI
    11 years ago

    It's normal to talk to yourself.
    It only gets weird when you start replying.
    In all seriousness, I do this all the time! It's perfectly normal.

    Signed,
    Knight Nigel Wellington XXI

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    • davesumba
      11 years ago

      By the contrary, it only gets weird when you don't reply, then it is as if you are talking to a ghost or something instead of simply talking to yourself.

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  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    I'm considered an Extrovert and I do this when I am alone. It keeps one's mind active. I work graveyard shifts so during the entire course of a shift (8 hours for me) I'll not talk to anyone. So I'll talk to myself and let my imagination wander. Although sometimes I catch myself actually thinking out loud and someone walks past me... you gotta work on that, Neuro.

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    • Tehboss
      11 years ago

      why u no talk to dead peoples?

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  • Skitzo1
    11 years ago

    I found the answer!

    "The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”
    ― George Carlin

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  • merebear
    11 years ago

    It's normal to talk to yourself. But not to answer yourself.

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  • aleusdreammist
    11 years ago

    My mom took me to a psycologist and he said i have 7 different personalities. My mom stares at me whenever i talk to myself now.

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  • Tehboss
    11 years ago

    go see the rapist he may not be able to help you but it's fun anyways :D

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  • rd1995
    11 years ago

    normal..

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  • mia_streeter
    11 years ago

    It's fine!! I do all the time!! Everyone dose!! They might just not admit it!!!

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  • ThisIsAnUsername
    11 years ago

    Haha Yeahh, I have an 'inner self' that is a college student majoring in psychology. Her name is Eddee (: and yes, I am being legit.

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  • JusWannaKno
    11 years ago

    I talk to myself all the time.. :)

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  • AlienDays
    11 years ago

    Its completely normal i occasionally talk to myself and reply to myself aswell.

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  • Skitzo1
    11 years ago

    Seems to make more sense if i give a reply. But thanks for the answers!

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  • Cucco
    11 years ago

    I do this all the time, but in my head. I think it's normal.

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  • kingsleycrowne
    11 years ago

    You can talk to yourself all you want but as soon as you start to think of yourself as two seperate entities, you have multiple personality disorder. A form of mental illness.

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  • MilleBornes
    11 years ago

    why does everyone use depression as some excuse AND just because you feel bad every so often doesn't make you depressed. It's normal....I'm sure that's what everyone does. Boo hoo, I was depressed for like a month. NO, you you just need to learn to get over shit. I have anxiety attacks . NO, just stop being a bitch. Everyone gets nervous, but if you use the word anxiety then people go easy on you....bitch. that's all you were looking for........What.....was the question he asked? oh,

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    • Skitzo1
      11 years ago

      I dont feel bad every so often. I feel bad more or less constantly. Depending on ones mistakes, its pretty hard to just "get over shit" you said its learning, as though its an acquired skill, i dont think it is. I dont want people to go easy on me because of anxiety, i prefer harsh criticism, it just makes me feel socially uncomfortable, anxiety is a 'little' different from getting nervous, everyone gets nervous, when your about to go on a roller coaster you get the shakes. But when im going for a night out, i shake uncontrollably and cant breath and begin to collapse because i think every single person in there is looking at me, everywere i look everyones gazing at me, judging me, hating me. Its not fear, its just discomfort.

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      • MilleBornes
        11 years ago

        Fear of discomfort and of people hating you, etc. You know for a fact that's not true. therefore very stupid to be afraid of something that's not real. as soon as you realize that then you'll be ok. Everything you explained was fear, more so nervousness. Some people say FUCK it, others just dwell on it, allow it to rule later in life commit suicide because of mid-life crisis realizing they never did what they wanted

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        • MilleBornes
          11 years ago

          then to me it's funny. You collapse because people may be gazing at you and not like what you wear? seriously? like, for real? and you think that is ok? WTF do these people have heat vision or something that dehydrates you?

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          • Skitzo1
            11 years ago

            Its not fear. Fear relates to pain, danger and threats. People's opinions of me is not painful, threatening or dangerous. You said, albeit, it was an example of my writing to objectify. I would have fear of discomfort. Not possible. Collapsing? Couldn't breathe/ Hyperventilating - Lack of Oxygen - Weakness of Body - Collapsing. You attempt to view my statements with "logic and wit". Im quite a snappy dresser, its just my paranoia. I dont really let it rule my life, When im around my friends, i put on a "mask" to make myself seem very cheerful. I dont let depression rule my life either, its just something on the side. Your quite ingnorant.

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            • MilleBornes
              11 years ago

              You are correct. I am IGNORANT to the feelings of caring SOOO much about what I THINK (enough to the point where I believe) someone or some group of people will point me out of a group and harp on me enough to have a fake heart attack.

              Sorry, I've never been bullied. I'm a black male that grew up in S.C., made okgreat grades until I became bored in doing so, stopped growing in 9th grade so I've been 5'4 or 5" forever. These are the things that most others have been drug in the mud for when it comes to bullying. Never happened because I made myself known as not just being a "nigger", short, nerd...etc. I'm the nicest with no jail record at in my late 20s, but fuck with me and regret isn't far behind. I enjoy my life and try to stay around others who do as well.

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    • MilleBornes
      11 years ago

      it's normal. your concious mind asks the question or makes a statement, your unconscious mind, which are basically equivalent to muscle memory responds. Your unconscious mind holds what your concious mind learned already. You knew that your favorite show come on at a certain time, that you preferred a certain food, etc. When you asked, you answered. simple. everyone does it. some people make a spectacle of it. Basically where we get our best comedy from.

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