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Original poster

15 year old talking to themselves

117 replies

Numberedout · 19/11/2024 17:38

Have name changed for this and am posting here for traffic.
I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this and could shed some light as I'm driving myself crazy.
I caught DD talking to herself in the bathroom. She's doesn't know that I was listening. It was a full blown conversation about stuff but I couldn't quite make out what exactly as there is a fan on in there.
I have family history of schizophrenia and psychosis from my dad's side and all sorts of things are running through my head.
She has always done this, even as a young child. But since the last couple of years I thought she had outgrown it but clearly not.
She has a few friends at school and seems to engage in family life ok.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/11/2024 18:12

I talk to myself all the time and always have done.

DS also talks to himself - usually rehearsing conversations- he has ADHD and finds some things awkward.

When it’s just me and him have been known to sit at the table each talking to ourself!

Butchyrestingface · 19/11/2024 18:11

I have always chattered away to myself. I'm the most interesting person in my life - why would I not? 🤷‍♀

Okayornot · 19/11/2024 18:11

I talk to myself all the time. There's nothing (clinical) wrong with me! It's how I process things, or prepare for conversations, or solve problems.

PoissonOfTheChrist · 19/11/2024 18:09

from my experience of a close relative with schizophrenia, it's definitely related unfortunately. The only difference is that the affected person talks to themselves in public as well as in private

I talk to myself in public, I even nod etc if I agree with what I'm saying.
I sometimes get strange looks but it's just another way of thinking.

Original poster
Numberedout · 19/11/2024 18:09

@ohtowinthelottery I'm not sure, I couldn't hear properly. It was definitely a full on conversation though. I'm going to try and listen again if I can.

OP posts:
NunyaBeeswax · 19/11/2024 18:08

I got a dog.

I got a dog because I talk to myself.

I got a dog because I talk to myself and people stared.

I got a dog because I talk to myself and people stared but now think I'm talking to my dog, I am not.

StressedQueen · 19/11/2024 18:08

Neither of my 15 year olds do that regarding full blown conversations but they do mutter things to themselves and sometimes will state things they need to do to themselves if that makes sense. I don't think it's unusual tbh

Differentstarts · 19/11/2024 18:07

I actually think it's more concerning that you don't talk to yourself

DrunkTinkerbell40s · 19/11/2024 18:07

I talk to myself all the time xx I run through conversations in my head and then realise I'm talking out loud!

dafa · 19/11/2024 18:06

doodleschnoodle · 19/11/2024 17:41

Maybe she's doing what I do sometimes when alone. Pretend I'm giving a radio interview about something Grin DH walked in to me once being interviewed by myself about my latest novel (that doesn't exist).

Oh my gosh I’m glad it’s not just me! I’ll often have pretend interviews, usually on Graham Norton talking about how I’ve become a famous actress after being discovered in some random place! 😛

On a more serious note, I’ve spoken to myself from a young age, it helps me process things and say things I wouldn’t necessarily say out load but having these convos with myself helps as I’m more honest and open.

Original poster
Numberedout · 19/11/2024 18:05

Thanks for your kind replies, much appreciated.
It's very reassuring.

I am guilty of jumping on everything my children do that feels "odd".
I have had a traumatic childhood due to poor mental health in close and wider members of my family. The ripple effects means that I'm trying to protect my own children from the same fate. The rational part of me knows I can't control everything and that I need to let them be but the worry wort in me won't stop over analysing!

@Plastictrees from my experience of a close relative with schizophrenia, it's definitely related unfortunately. The only difference is that the affected person talks to themselves in public as well as in private.

OP posts:
MerryChristmasYaFilthyAnimals · 19/11/2024 18:05

I do this all the time, but now in my head. But that's only because I used to do it out loud, and I was the star of some fabulous vampire thing (possibly interview with a vampire!) and narrating the scene and walked by some mean girls houses at around aged 14. They heard me and told everyone I talked to myself and everyone ridiculed me, so now I do it all in my head (and incidentally am in vampire diaries right now - there is obviously a theme here).

I still do it in the car and in the house on my own. I'm not diagnosed with anything, my worst trait is overthinking. So sometimes I play out discussions etc.

ReadWithScepticism · 19/11/2024 18:00

Talking to yourself is absolutely fine. But since there is a family history of schizophrenia, I would be asking myself if there are any other behaviours that suggest psychosis. Is she generally happy and motivated? Sleeping well? Socialising? Your final sentence suggests that she is doing ok. With your family experience, you are probably able to judge whether anything worrying is going on. Trust your instincts and seek help if you feel it is appropriate.

OliphantJones · 19/11/2024 17:58

I practice conversations out loud in the shower. I have an autism diagnosis if that matters.

SALaw · 19/11/2024 17:58

I do this all the time especially in the shower as I can sort of sort things out in my head then eg what I'm going to say to someone, what I need to do etc

lollypopsforme · 19/11/2024 17:58

CeciliaMars · 19/11/2024 17:49

I think muttering the odd phrase or comment to yourself is perfectly normal, but I think having a full-blown conversation is unusual...

I must be unusual then does that make me unique.
I have conversations with my self i mean who else is going to give me the right answer.

Original poster
Numberedout · 19/11/2024 17:58

@doodleschnoodle no her phone was downstairs
@lanthanum no definitely talking to herself

OP posts:
Twothinkthat · 19/11/2024 17:58

I think if she had issues with psychosis you would know to be honest. The paranoia is very easy to spot.

JaneandtheLaundry · 19/11/2024 17:56

I used to do this to puzzle out problems by looking at them from multiple points of view when I was younger. I stopped after I finished uni and never had the same academic load again. You'd also have caught me talking to myself when trying to learn lines for shows I was in. I don't have schizophrenia.

Original poster
Numberedout · 19/11/2024 17:56

@doodleschnoodle 😂

OP posts:
lollypopsforme · 19/11/2024 17:54

I always talk to my self been doing it almost 40 year.

coffeesaveslives · 19/11/2024 17:54

CeciliaMars · 19/11/2024 17:49

I think muttering the odd phrase or comment to yourself is perfectly normal, but I think having a full-blown conversation is unusual...

It's really not.

XWKD · 19/11/2024 17:51

If she has always done this, it could be just a habit now.

ohtowinthelottery · 19/11/2024 17:51

Is she just talking to herself or is she answering herself too?
I talk to myself when I'm doing things, as does me DS. In fact, he's cooking at the moment and I just shouted to ask if he was talking to me or himself as it's hard to tell from the next room.

GinnyPiggie · 19/11/2024 17:50

I talk to myself all the time - quite often I'm narrating my day in musical style. I'm mad as a crate of badgers though.

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