Psychology Snippets: Imaginary Friends
*image credits to http://www.alegoo.com/images05/words/friends-2/026/imaginary-friends-13.jpg
Ok, so I'm a bit curious about this one at the moment. I guess it's because we associate imaginary friends with cutesy childhoods which are pretty innocent but when the guy down the road brings himself to ruin because he can't cope anymore with a voice in his head we avoid them. According to Psychology today and super nanny, childhood imaginary friends are 'normal' and perhaps even healthy. It shows a child's creative side and allows them to explore their imagination without bounds. I just thought it was interesting that I had read that this phenomena often extended on for several years for some, even in to some teenage years.
Having an awareness that, when in adulthood, such claims of entertaining of an imaginary friend then crosses over in to an identified Mental health issue, I begin to wonder what goes wrong between childhood and adulthood that causes imaginary friends to then be something less healthy. Is it because of another diagnosis or is it because it interferes with normal everyday life? How is it that children can cope with fighting with their imaginary friends and never having any time alone yet it can drive a mature adult insane?
I tried looking up more about this and well.... when it crosses in to adult life there just isnt much information on it. There's quite a few references to schitzorphrenia, there's refernces to auditory hallucinations and about six times as many references to religion. Isn't that interesting too? Theirs a valid argument that us religious folks are ...well crazy... for having a faith that gets us talking in secret to someone no one else can hear. We also have a valid argument too... we have the right to choice, religious freedom to such and such and the core values and beliefs that have us doidng it in the first place, depending of course on who you are or why you believe. Basically though, that's all the so called exapansive internet has to offer me, the suggestion that it doesnt occur in healthy adulthood outside religious bounds.
Maybe I think too much about things that dont matter and I'm wasting my time. I dunno. I just think it's really interesting that's all. If I had an imaginary friend I think I would fight with him all the time and tell him what a shitbag I think he is (I like my privacy and space, there shouldn't be anyone in my head besides me. I would resent it much). We probably would be the best mates that never get along. Sounds exhausting right?
Anyhoo. Here's an interesting videoclip. I reckon it's got imaginary friend forever kind of undertones in it but maybe thats just me.
Hasta mañana, baby.
-Mez
Children and imaginary friends
Catalyst (2014) Imaginary Friends. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2689032.htm
Psychology today (2013) Imaginary Fiends. Are imaginary friends a sign of social problems? Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/growing-friendships/201301/imaginary-friends
Supernanny (2014) The magic of imaginary friends. Retrieved from http://www.supernanny.co.uk/Advice/-/Health-and-Development/-/4-to-13-years/The-magic-of-imaginary-friends.aspx
The Genius experiment (2014) Imaginary Friends. Retrieved from http://www.geniusexperiment.com/2014/03/imaginary-friends/