Can somebody tell me if I have some kind of mental disorder or am I normal...?

Question

I am 17, living with my parents. I do not communicate with my parents that well... We only speak to each other when there is something important to be told, ortherwise it's silence between us.. I have an older brother, and we hardly talk.. Only time we talk to each other is when we need to borrow something from each other or when there's a phone call for the other... I do have friends, but they rarely come to my house and I rarely go to theirs.. Only time we get to really hang out is in school..
For the past 7 or 8 years, I've started doing the following:
-talking to myself
-laugh on my own when I remember something funny
-get really mad when something that triggers me enters my mind
-i talk to empty spaces as if my friend is there
-it has became my daily routine

Anyone who knows what problem do I have, please do tell... I have never told anyone about this until now.. Not even my closest friends, not even my parents...I am too afraid that they'll cast me out of their lives..

Answer 1

Don't make the mistake of confusing introversion with mental illness. Some people prefer to be alone and are perfectly content with their own company. There's nothing "wrong" with this.

Being 17 is tough all on its own. You are facing these huge life decisions and will soon be an independent adult. If you are feeling depressed, then definitely you should seek professional help. But you may just find yourself in the counselor's office doing "empty chair" therapy: You put your friend, mom, etc in the empty chair and talk to them to help you work things out. Seems to me like you are saving yourself $100/hr doing it on your own!

Answer 2

You may have problems, but it doesn't mean you have a "disorder." You're not crazy, and your case isn't hopeless, because you have insight to what you're experiencing. (I do many of the things you wrote, and I don't talk much to my family, either. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your own company and thinking out loud. But one has to keep a balance between an inner world and social world)

The whole pattern of the lack of communication in your family could carry over to your relationships outside the home. Am I right? Since you are aware of these tendencies, you are a step closer to initiating changes, if you want to.

Simply put, talk more, and "be" more with other people. Initiate conversation and intimacy when you see a chance. Plan and join trips and social activities. Do it gradually, so you don't emotionally strain yourself. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it can be awkward and painful. You have to motivate yourself. Eventually it will come easier. You can even talk with your parents, calmly and in non-threatening/catastrophic terms, about your observations regarding your family and what you experienced. Don't be discouraged when you encounter some difficulties, they're a normal and given part of any initiated change. Also, you don't have to be a total extrovert/partyanimal either. Balance. Good luck.

Answer 3

The main question is whether u can differ between what's real and what's not. You say u talk to yourself. do u realize your talking to yourself, or do people tell you that you're talking to yourself? if you don't relize you may have mental disorder and should see a psychiatrist. If you do realize then you're clinically OK. I also talk to myself (when people don't see or when there are no strangers around), I always laugh on my own when I remember something funny (it sometimes creates embarrasing moments - like when I laugh in public - but I can't help it!!) I talk to empty spaces too.
Maybe you are a very shy person who likes to be by themselves, but I would advise you to establish better relationships with your family. It will make u feel more normal, and it will bring you happiness. Y'see, all these things are in your power to change, if you were clinicly ill you wouldn't have control of your life. But maybe you should see a psychologist anyway. It will help with your relationships. good luck.

Answer 4

I'm 34 years old, have a decent job and have a lovely wife and 2 wonderful kids... but I do the things you do alone, too, although I do my best that no one sees me when I talk to myself. The difference between us is I communicate regularly with my family and friends, and I feel they're fond of conversing with me, too.

Unless you start arguing with yourself, I think you're normal. You're just not fond of conversing with other people, especially with your own family. You might want to try opening a conversation with your older brother -- say, sports? cars? arts? or anything that interests you. That can be a start for a change.

Answer 5

I doubt that you have a personality disorder as one suggested. Are you fairly intelligent? Is your family? Sounds somewhat introverted. Kids who are lonely develop immaginary friends. Adults need social interaction just the same way kids do. We are social beings. My advice, make some friends. Get out more. You stated that you only talk to your parents when necessary. You clearly think this is a problem or you wouldnt have written it. Go talk to them. Initiate more conversations. Dont worry so much.

Answer 6

Answer Why you do that then you'll know if you're going mental or not.
Wouldn't it be easier to just talk to your family instead of ignoring them? Ask them about their lives, what they are hoping to achieve, their fears, their dreams, their mistakes. There is always something to talk about- even if it turns into an arguement- its better than arguing with yourself.
I also laugh when i remember something funny- in public, too. Not too often though!

Answer 7

Don't be afraid to get help. You are not alone. Many people, especially teenagers, have some type of issue or another. Get help immediately because things will just get worse over time. You are very young so resolve these issues before they affect the rest of your life.

Answer 8

I don't think you are crazy but you may want to talk to a councilor. Any time a person is asking for help it is a sane person realizing there is a problem.

Crazy people think everyone else has the problem.

:o)
Jerry

Answer 9

Sounds like you and your family are dysfunctional and need to go for family counseling. You are all out of sync with each other and need to know how to get back in touch with each other. This is where counseling will help.

Answer 10

that's rather not elementary besides the indisputable fact that there are those with the comparable ability. you're able to see a doctor who can placed you in touch with somebody who can enable you to study the thank you to get use on your extrodinary abilty.