Talking to yourself

I have talked to myself for as long as I can remember.

I'm an only child and have a twisted family history. Not sure if any of that is relevant but I'm working through some of this stuff now, so we'll see.

My Husband calls it 'mumbling,' but I don't. To me mumbling is trying to talk but it comes out like you have marbles in your mouth. To me, I'm just carrying on little conversations with myself, and providing both voices.

(That sounds way weirder when I say it out loud!)

I'm beginning to think that this developed as a type of 'coping mechanism' or a form of 'self-soothing?'

Anyone relate?








M.

I think everybody has little odd things that they do and we need not feel ashamed or bad when we do these things. Also, I am pretty sure everyone talk to themselves in some way. Does anyone here not talk to themselves? I'd be curious to know. But you said you do both voices, now I don't think I do that. That sounds a bit weird to me, to be honest, but are you hurting anyone? Is this causing anyone harm? No, so weird or not, it is harmless.

But you wondered if it was a coping mechanism or a form of self-soothing, and this sounds like really good insight. If it is causing you problems or inhibiting you in any way, than you should try and see what you can about it and wouldn't a qualified therapist be in order here?

Ahh, so you recognize which 'trigger' I'm talking about, eh?!

Yeah, lots of stuff from the past has been flooding, lots of memories coming back, and they're accurate. I can say that because the last (and only) time I did see my "mother" in many years (when she visited for 2 hours when I got my dx)....I brought up memories from very,....very,....early childhood (unrelated to the 'stuff' I'm trying to work through), and she couldn't believe I actually remembered those things because I wasn't even 3 years old.

Yep,...and the details are vivid.

The two "voices" I refer to are more like a therapist? I'll ask questions out loud, and answer them from an objective standpoint. Self-therapy. And sure, maybe in some way that's what I'd expect an 'ideal mother' to do and I'm trying to teach myself now.

I've done it for so long....it may have initially been as a way to occupy myself. Growing up a latch-key kid, you come up with all sorts of ways to be creative and cope and function. I turned into myself, got into art, (talked to myself), found the best company in my horses....

I just located a therapist who specializes in my particular area of concern, but she doesn't take insurance, I'd have to pay $125/visit but she'd provide a bill for reimbursement. (Sorry, don't have that kind of money!)

So I'm still looking for a therapist....

BTW: Hubby never, ever talks to himself. Not even when he's working on his projects, not when he gets frustrated, just never. So I can see why this seems odd. (My MIL does it a little....she's the only one who's done it while in my presence).










M.

i sing, without the audio!! my mumbling!!!

Awww Kitt!

Big hugs right back atchya! With the (accidental and spontaneous) help of my MIL and this recent breakthrough, I've been swinging through quite a wide range of emotions, perceptions, and even understandings.

I would never wish this on anyone,....so it helps to talk with others who can identify with what this is like.

I realize there are people who think kids aren't affected and they'll grow up and/or grow out of it, or that we don't know what's happening. What a mistake.

Feeling particularly tender lately....







M.

Merrida-

After my recent divorce, I talk to myself all the time. I too am an only child. I find myself doing it to change the directions of my thoughts, to boost my self confidence and just to, well, talk! Lol

You are not alone-
Michele

I've done that for ages. In fact, until our recent (I say "recent" but it'll be a year for me in a few months) move to NH, I constantly had it on. Sometimes music of course. But TV was more common. Something soothing about the sound of voices, conversation...

I thought it was part of being a CP'er. So many of us are up at all kinds of crazy hours, can't sleep, or end up having to sleep on the couch for comfort,....so the TV seems to fit in.

Never really put it together as anything else, so this is quite interesting to me!!

Thank you.








M.

Hi Merrida,

I have always had conversations with myself and I find nothing wrong with that at all. Just like drawing or writing to get a visual picture of our thoughts, hearing them sometimes helps to sort things out. At least this is true for me and now I see that I am not alone. :)

Peace