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?