Is it possible for an adult to have an imaginary friend?? What kind of mental illness would make you create an imaginary friend?
2007-12-17 06:58:00 · 11 answers · asked by mvh0127 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Thank you all for your help! I actually wanted to start writing a book about this matter, and I was wondering if this was possible or not.Your answers are highly appreciated!
2007-12-17 07:11:46 · update #1
I knew a schizophrenic who had an imaginary friend named Joey that no one else saw.
2007-12-17 07:14:10 · answer #1 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
my guess would be that it is possible for an adult to have an imaginary friend. Be it right or wrong, healthy or not, such things could be the product of an adused childhood, and if that person is afraid to reach out and gain REAL friends, they might turn to imaginary ones.
At the expense of being laughed at,, I use myself as an example. When I was little, my dad would go overboard with physical punishment. He would strike me in the face with his fist, whip me with his belt and leave welts and bad bruises. My parents split up three different times. So as a young child I had imaginarey parents ( I didn't hallucinate by actually seeing anyone. Just purely imaginary.) Ones who didn't fight, and a dad who would not assault me. Of course I grew out of that as I become an adult,, but I think it is popssible for some people not to be able to outgrow that phase.
2007-12-17 07:18:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That would be highly unusual for a normal adult to have an imaginary friend. A psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia which is characterized by delusions and hallucinations, might cause something like that.
2007-12-17 07:05:10 · answer #3 · answered by HelpIzOnTWay 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think you would still be sane if you realized that the friend was indeed imaginary. If you thought they were real, it'd be schizophrenia
2007-12-17 09:26:03 · answer #4 · answered by jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Schizophrenia comes to mind. I would look it up and get some info on it. Try wikipedia. I suggest a dr for your friend for sure.
2007-12-17 07:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by thewildeman2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
these are the symptoms of schizophrenia...i think u need to see a doctor...and yeah...adults dont have imaginary friends.
2007-12-17 07:10:25 · answer #6 · answered by crossbonez 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could be a dissociative disorder........people who develop different personalities to cope in real life.OR it could be someone that is developmentally delayed.
2007-12-19 06:05:51 · answer #7 · answered by lost2day 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No mental illness at all!
This is normal if you're single.
2007-12-17 07:05:55 · answer #8 · answered by 12answers 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Being married.
2007-12-17 07:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by John m 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I guarantee somebody's gonna try to be smart by saying 'It's called "God"'. Just warning you.
2007-12-17 07:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by icekey87 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋