Triggering (Sexual Abuse) - I'm almost 20 and have an 'imaginary friend'

[Pnuemonia[Blue]]

I met a girl in hospital called Amia, and we became good friends
She used to hold my hand and sit on the end of my bed and we'd chat about loads.

One day she wasn't around so I asked a nurse where she was and the nurse said there wasn't a patient by that name and the doctors started saying I was 'out of touch with reality'.

Anyway she came back and I still talk to her alot but no one else seems to see her like I do. My counsellor said I may have invented an imaginary friend because I needed support and comfort that I couldn't find anywhere else.

is this wierd? am I a freak?
Surely imaginary friends are for children?
I'm so confused!!

[angelamy]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I often ask the same questions. I'm 24 and have created a sort of society of imaginary friends each with a unique skill or talent whenever I need them. The doctor promised I would grow out of it by the time I'm 27 (this was when I was 19) but it doesn't look hopeful. The thing is I know this isn't normal and I would like them to go but in the same way I don't. I guess thats why I haven't told anyone

[EpicFailGirl]

well youre not alone at least. i kinda have imaginary friends, but i know damn well they're projections from my mind, and so i dont acknowledge them in public XD

[MrsCoulter]

I am like EpicFailGirl, I know they are in my head so have not acknowledged them in public. I guess having an imaginary friend takes away some of the lonliness etc. I don't think it's neccessary for just a child to have this because I think everyone has lonliness and if it is an imaginary friend who makes you feel less alone then I don't think its the worse thing in the world - indeed it is not the healthiest either but I still suck my thumb and I'm 20.

[stumpy]

Yep yet another person with an imaginary friend, I don't tend to need them when in public as I normally don't go out in public alone, I've never told anyone nor do I feel the need to, I also have a strange sleeping habit that is supposed to disappear by age 5 I'm 23 - It's head banging before & during my sleep mainly the pillow but sometimes the end of the bed so the thought of an imaginary friend seems nothing in comparison. I think my head banging causes more of a problem than my imaginary friend ever will :)

[worthless x]

I don't have imaginary friends or people I can SEE. But I have weird things in my head :| They are real people (who are in my head).. and they are how I want to be but in real life they are different. Its weird & hard to explain I think I am the odd one out :x

[EpicFailGirl]

oh, worthless (and youre not btw. even if you were just the collection of chemicals making up your body, thats still a fivers worth of chemicals XD) i had one of those, and i didnt like feeling schizophrenic, so i projected her outside. she is everything im not, and she knows it. XD

[worthless x]

Oh I see.. BTW I was thinking about this last night.. and actually it's just be Thinking of some people LOL like pretending what they would say to me and I would say to them and stuff.. It's just my thoughts, nothing more :)

[Pnuemonia[Blue]]

Thank you for the replies everyone, I feel less alone.