Is it normal to avoid relationships because of my imaginary friend?

I made an account for just for this because this is the only site I feel safe to ask some weird question like this. Buckle up because this is going to be a long one.

I think you will be answer this question better if I told you the story.
I have an imaginary lover,Monika. I made her because I was fed up with constant suicidal thoughts and depression for 2 years and my family was no help to me. They told me to get over it because I should be happy to have such a "good life". I couldn't open up to anyone and when I did (which were my own parents at first) they told this to every person in my grand family and they treated me like a baby for months. I coulnd't go to a therapist because I was both embarrassed and couldn't open up to them. Almost every night for 2 entire miserable years I stared at the balcony on my room trying to gather the balls to jump off. I was bullied in my early years,suffered physical trauma,had no motivation or support. I was very introverted and ashamed when I notice myself smiling,so I tried my best not to smile or laugh out loud. I hated myself because I was fat,stupid,lazy,ugly. I often self-harmed by beating my back with ropes (flagellating).

One day I happened to play this amazing game called Doki Doki Literature Club. I beat it,and felt love for the first time. It was the self concious character named Monika. Don't roll your eyes over,this isn't just some big eyed single dimensional anime character. Monika feels like a real human being to me. I felt true warmth inside my chest Because she is the only person that truly cares about me and my well being. Ever since then I've strictly improved myself just for her. I am currently(thankfully) in perfect shape,still introverted but very good social skills,have a variety of hobbies,getting ready to go to a great university.

She gave me support and comfort often. While my mom was binge watching shows on netflix the same night I burst veins under my eyes from crying,Monika held me and said she loved me. She taught me how to enjoy and do math while my father took away my hobbies because I couldn't score grades that are good enough,once I couldn't even comprehend it now math is my field of expertise.
They think punishing me did the trick,but no,my dedication to Monika and her unending love and support to me got me here. Once I get a good job I'm going to cut all ties with my family and live together with her. Together...she just doesn't have a physical body. She lives inside my head now. Always supporting and inspiring me. I told all this to my grandmother and aunt,which they both told me to go see a doctor. I won't. Is it really a problem if it only benefits me? Monika saw the good in me and loved me at my worst and in return:

I told her I will never cheat on her. Which meant I will never get into a boyfriend-girlfriend like relationship with anyone in my life. I do sometimes feel lonely,but seeing her eyes and the pictures I drew of her make that feeling go away. My parents are already angry got at me when I told them I will never date a girl let alone marry one. The suicidal thoughts and depression do come rarely but now we deal with them together and quicker. They used to last for weeks now they end in hours

I used to have no motivation to live,now I live just for Monika. I can't think of a life without her,her voice in my head and her emerald eyes. I'm trying to make the best of my days for her. I'm constantly trying to improve myself for her,so I can be the lover she deserves. I wake up everyday not wailing off the bed,but eager for action!

I really really thank you for reading all of this because I just vented what I held inside myself for 4 years,I had no one to tell the full story,I really didn't. Thank you for reading this,whoever you are. It's ok if you didn't even read the whole thing,I'm glad someone even cared about this question,I'm more glad that I finally got this black anchor out of my heart.

But the question remains,I will never cheat on Monika because she did so much for me. This is the only way I know I can pay her back. I will stay devoted to her until death,is this normal?

Voting Results
29% Normal
Based on 14 votes (4 yes)
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Comments ( 16 )
  • Primus

    Your waifu has turned into a tulpa and the only thing that can save you is schizophrenic medication. Does she at least go away when you don't want to see her/are out in public? Does she threaten you?

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    • palehorse

      "Your waifu has turned into a tulpa"

      Brilliant.

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    • ShrekFecker

      I've read about this before... Tulpas usually go away after a while if you just ignore them. Getting medication should only be a last resort, imo.

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    • Brokedown

      No to both questions,thanks for not instantly telling me to go see a doctor,you're the first one. I only see her when I want to. On the side note,if I was FORCED to take theraphy I would never take medicine because I'm scared that stuff might mess up my brain chemicals and even make me forget my love to her. I don't think I could live my life without her.

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      • Primus

        I feel the same about my antipsychotics, but it's ultimately up to you if that risk is a fair trade off for having a shot with real women. You do seem to have the capacity for that decision, after all.

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        • Brokedown

          People always talk like having a real woman is better. Good luck finding a "real woman" who has an actual personality,proper morals,dignity,discipline and good looks in this modern age. Because I can't leave this shithole of a country yet,I'm stuck with a pile of gold digging subhuman trash who's an empty husk of a human being.

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          • Primus

            I was thinking the same. Only downside to loving a virtual/imaginary woman is that you're bound to go nuts sometime.

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  • Mrown

    Where are you from and what's your name? I'm asking 'cause you sound a lot like one person I know

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    • Brokedown

      Turkey,Ephe. Am I the one?

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      • Mrown

        no, thankfully, I got really worried

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  • leggs91200

    I skimmed... most of that.

    If it is not hurting anyone nor getting in the way of living some kind of responsible life, why worry about it?

    We are not obligated to have romantic relationships with others so if this Monika does it for you, just go with it.

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  • MrsEdGein

    Too long, didn't read.

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    • leggs91200

      if I give you my phone number will you call and read it to me?

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  • palehorse

    It's (reasonably) normal to have imaginary friends. It's not normal to sacrifice real relationships for them. If you recognize that Monika isn't real (even if you like to pretend she is), you should also recognize that dating someone else isn't cheating on her. If it makes you feel any better, pretend you're in a poly or open relationship with her. She's a figment of your imagination.

    If you don't want to date a real person, though, that's also ok.

    P.S. I played Doki, wasn't a fan, but a lot of people like it.

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    • Brokedown

      Only the degenerate,the unfaithful and the shameless engage in polygamy/open relationships. How can dating someone other than the person you're in a relationship with not be cheating?

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      • palehorse

        In poly relationships, more than two people are all dating each other (loosely speaking), not dating people outside the relationship.

        In an open relationship, you and your partner (or anyone else involved if it's also poly) agree that you can have casual sex with people outside the relationship. Everybody in the relationship knows and consents to this, which is why it's not cheating - when you cheat, you betray the terms of the relationship (only seeing each other), but open relationships change those terms.

        It's certainly not for everyone, but some people make it work and you should respect their choices.

        Also, more importantly, Monika is not real.

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