To wonder if this is odd behaviour

[NameChangedIHave]

I have named changed for this, because admittedly it is rather embarrassing!

I'm wondering how odd it is to talk to yourself and act out fake scenarios. I think I've done this since I was a child, but sometimes I will be by myself, be thinking of something indepthly, then all of a sudden I'll have created a scenario and be acting it out to myself. For example, a moment ago I was being interviewed on television about quite a niche topic, with the interviewee being very impressed with my answers.

I will then realise what I am doing, feel a bit embarrassed even though I am alone, and stop.

These scenarios aren't really things that have happened, just fantasy thinking I guess! Obviously I've never admitted this to anyone in my real life before, so am I being unreasonable to ask if this is odd behaviour, and wonder if anyone else does this?

Do you know it isn’t real while you’re doing it? Reason I ask is that a close relative has schizophrenia and she gets these kinds of delusions all the time.

a bit odd for an adult maybe, but we all do odd things sometimes. I don't think its unusual to play out a random scenario in your mind, maybe acting it out is a little more odd

@ravingroo Oh yes completely know it's not real when doing it! It's more like I am in a play for a bit. I know I am doing it, but then I kind of think 'what are you doing' and stop. Doesn't take up much of my time, just happens every now and then.

I don’t think I’ve ever cooked and not pretended I was hosting a cooking show...in my head though

Is it actually a delusion though, or is just for 'fun'?

If it's something like the friends characters pretending they've won a Soapie award (m.youtube.com/watch?v=UNVVzbhUUTQ) then I'd say that's 'normal'.

I don't do what you do, but I talk to myself out loud sometimes. Sometimes walking down the street (when no one else is around!)

I think it's highly unlikely you have schizophrenia!

@outfoxed - yes I have done that one too. But I will do it out loud i.e. 'Chop the onion, blah blah blah'. But only if I'm alone of course!

Ah ok. Sounds ok then. Strange :D but normal is a spectrum!

Do you do all the voices out loud? I have lots of fantasy scenarios running through my head all the time, yes I know they are fantasy. I don't talk out loud though

I drift out into fantasy land all the time. You’re not hurting anyone so where’s the harm.

Are you bored maybe? Avoiding to think about the real world? Like a distraction method? Are you happy with your life?

I don't think it's quite normal no, I'm sorry. But if you know it's not real and it's just entertaining yourself I can't see how it's harmful. The issue would maybe come in if you create fantasy lives because you're unhappy in your own, or use it to avoid dealing with real issues , or it took up too much of your time, or indeed didn't know it wasn't real.

@JollyGiraffe and yes...it's not a delusion...just a strange pastimes I seem to have!

You are not alone...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/2832231-My-husband-has-just-caught-me-doing-something-terrible-and-embarrassing

Surely it's just daydreaming, isn't it?
You know it's not really, and can stop at any time? I don't think it's abnormal or unusual, everyone daydreams in some way at some time or other.

Dammit someone posted that link before me, I loved that thread I do it too

ToddlerIs2 I do my voice out loud, but not the replying voices. For some reason I think that would be much weirder!

Bluntness100 Yes, I expect your right that this does happen when I have too much time on my hands, as it can only happen when I am alone. I actually thought it wasn't normal, but as you say its not manifesting into anything serious. I was hoping at least one other person would do this though!

I think most people play through invented scenarios in their head at one time or another. For some people they are a short distraction but they can be a coping mechanism. I have definitely been guilty of this kind of thing over the years and for me it happens more when life is difficult. There's no problem with it unless it starts to take up an unhealthy amount of time and takes you away from real life.

I don't do it outside my head much anymore (never by myself!) but I don't think it's strange at all in fact we encourage kids to get stuck into imaginative play. Why would you stop something you enjoy just because you're an adult?

I suppose you could make it more grown up and write out stories or join an am-dram club?

Gincision

HOORAY. I feel so much better now. Thanks

Have you thought about creative writing as an outlet for your imagination?

I think this is normal, I definitely do this, I think most people have fantasty scenarios; I often hold one-sided conversations! It's just an imaginative / active way of processing ideas and thoughts and nothing indicating 'weirdness'.

Cornettoninja Thanks! I do actually do writing for a living. Too shy for am-dram. Unless it was 'being interviewed with no one watching' and the class all left.

Mvmfly Yes, I knew someone else would be along who did this soon. I much prefer your explanation. Pleased to hear I am normal once again!

Sounds totally normal to me. Shame more people don't try it to relax.
Careful it doesn't stop you living your actual life and that you remember other people don't always respond the way they do in fun scenarios.

When I am cooking I always pretend that I am a contestant on 'Come Dine with me', and I provide a running commentary by that man with the camp voice (but not aloud, just inside my head)

I do this I'm glad I'm not the only one. I also like to imagine I have time travelled back to Ancient Rome. I like to imagine I could teach them about the Xfactor and singing competitions and I organise events for important people. I do a lot of talk shows in my head too, the audience finds me hilarious.