Imaginary Friend | ADHD Information
Yes, it is really for the comments he is saying, and not for the fact of talking to an imaginary friend. I really didn't care much up to the time when I started listening more carefully to these conversations that very often show a low self esteem. I think he is just using the friend to work some stuff out in his own way....like when you talk something over with a friend sometimes you just feel better, or a solution presents itself just in the fact that you said something out loud?That is right Chasesmom79. This will go away by its own, I mean, the "comments", this might be a result of the med that might be left in his system. When he started taking it, he also showed some signs of anguish. Strattera is not the right med for my son, I am completely convinced about this.Hello;
I just want to hear opinions in regard to imaginary friends.
My ds has started talking and having long conversations with nobody. I had heard him before and didn't pay too much attention to this, but now these dialogues are becoming too frequent and now he not only does it when he is alone, but also when he is with me or his dad. Yesterday I was driving him from Karate class and while he was playing with his gameboy he was excitedly explaining the game to this friend. I didn't say a word and let him just keep on with his dialogue.
Now, today I called one of his therapists and she told me that this usually happens when the child is under too much stress. I have some things happening right now that could be causing this behavior according to what the therapist said; but I also want to hear some other opinions of some of you who have experienced this.
I don't really know if persuade him to stop talking to nobody, or just let him persist with this, maybe he is just trying to get rid of all the stress he is having.
If you have opinions I will love to hear about them
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My oldest had imaginary friends as well as a younger child...I would say from 4 or so on up to 7 or 8....she too did it because she had no siblings old enough to be playmates until then, and we live in the country with no close neighbors that had children!
She would make me set a plate at the table for them and yell if someone sat on the chair that they wre on..."Daddy! That is where Happy the Hobo is sitting!!"
I had a therpist that we were seeing at the time tell me that it was a sign of intelligence....as soon as Chelsea got to be 2, Jonna took her off and they played school, and dolls and anything for hours with Jonna being the instigator in it all...
He is six, and will be seven on February 11.
I don't see problem in him talking because this is what all kids do when they are playing by themselves.
What bothers me is that he is engaging in deep conversations and even expresses his feelings about himself. The other day he was telling his "friend" that he had difficulty doing many things. I guess his self esteem is too low right now.
I have been relating many of these issues to the med he was on. He was on Strattera. So I assume that many of these events have to do with taking him off it. Anyway, I thought I wanted to know about other people's experiences because there are times that I feel the need to tell him to stop this. I haven't done it .
I think wiht strattera you need to wean them off of it in much the same way it ws introduced? I would wait and see if this continues once the med is out of his system...
Jonna used to go into her room and have deep conversations with no one..."I know that I need to be a better girl, I just can't! It is too hard to keep my room clean!" "I am gonna try to behave next time!" This was usually after she had been scolded or something....it went on from the time she could put sentences together till about 6 or so....
My son talks to himself also. I don't always hear the conversations, but I have heard them. He does it when he is alone and playing legos. I also talk to myself when I am venting! My husband caught me the other day having a fight with my brother, who was not there, just in my conversation to myself venting. My daughter talks to herself in the mirror. Lots of people do this.
I took my son off stratterra, it was supposed to be a med so that something was in his system at all times, once the concerta wore off, however it depressed him. I took him off it immediately, cold turkey, when he said he wanted to die, kill himself. No waiting around! He was fine, no with drawal or anything. That is just MY story. All people, young and old, are different when it comes to medication.
Thanks for your replies. I guess I have more peace of mind right now. Last week I talked to a psychiatrist who told me to get into the conversation with him and his imaginary friend to see what happened. I did so, and he got extremely upset, he didn't want me to participate. My son is an introvert, according to what the psychiatrist said, so he is extremely mind creative, I guess he does not want me to interfere in his own world. I left it like that, I guess it will just go away by its own. I am almost sure I also had an imaginary friend as a child, The problem for me has always been learning to see the difference when something is product of the adhd, or it is just any kid's normal behavior.
My son was on Strattera due to tics that he periodically has, and tics run in his father's family. Stimulants worsen tics. The only benefit I noticed while he was on Strattera, was that tics stopped. Now, that he has stopped it, I am noticing things that are probably tics again. This weekend he was pulling his lip to bleed again, after he had stopped this a long time ago. If I decide to put my son on stimulants after this wednesday appointment, and his tics worsen, I guess I will have to go through all this unmedicated. My only resourse will be the therapies and myself. I know there are additional meds that help with tics, but I don't know if it is worth it to have my ds in more than one med.
I have been terribly frustrated with docs appointments, so,wish us luck at this new appointment.
Our youngest is now 9, she was recently diagnosed ADHD, has had an invisible friend since she was 2 years old. "Lily" lives in her belly button. As she has gotten older we see less and less of "Lily". In fact, several months ago she was to have gone visiting at "Grandma's" house. I haven't heard of her since.BethAnn I would never put my child on Strattera. Far too many negatives associated with that medication.[QUOTE=MonkeyButt]BethAnn I would never put my child on Strattera. Far too many negatives associated with that medication. [/QUOTE]
Hey monkeybutt, he was on strattera over a year ago and for only several months. Yes we had negative side effects, however, there are those who claim it works for them. I could say the same for adderall xr, my son was psychotic on that stuff. But there are some who love it and praise it.
What are the negative side effects that you personally experienced from your children on stratterra?
BETHANN39103.9436805556I think it was the fact that her son was getting so involved in his conversations with the friend, and wouldn't let her in, as well as the things he was saying to the 'friend'...I haven't used Strattera on my daughter because of all the suicide, violent behavior reports that have been released. I've also yet to meet anyone who has used it and been happy with the results. But thats just me. If it works for someone great. I'm just can't justify the risks for my daughter.
I never did ask, maybe I missed it, but why does having an imaginary friend worry you?