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An imaginary friend is a a made-up person, animal or character that is created in the minds of some people, especially young children, and is sometimes seen in those with autism. Despite an imaginary friend being unreal, the child will act as if the imaginary being is physically present by talking to it, playing with it, or even attempting to feed it. Of course, to another person it will seem as though the child is talking into thin air. If told that there is nothing there, the child will often retaliate in a defensive manner by stating that the so-called imaginary friend is invisible.
Often times children will dismiss the imaginary friend once they find real ones or become old enough to realize that their friend is fictional. Parents shouldn't be worried about their children having an imaginary friend, as it often helps a child realize the difference between reality and fantasy, as well as give them some form of self-esteem. However, having imaginary friends (or in some cases, imaginary enemies) at an advanced age should be looked at by a proper psychologist, as it may be a mental or drug-related problem.
Explanation of behavior
People may invent imaginary friends for companionship, as part of play, or for other reasons. Imaginary friends can serve as an important source of companionship to some children and adults, especially if companionship is absent for them in the social world. As an example, young children in boarding schools often develop imaginary friends to cope with extreme stress and separation from their intimate relations. It has also been suggested that deities, spirits, totems, demons, and similar supernatural beings are the invisible friends of adults and children alike.
The development of imaginary friends by a person does not signify a problem or disorder. However, it can occasionally become problematic if it begins to interfere with everyday social interactions. For parents, an understanding of a child's conversations with their imaginary friends can reveal a lot about the anxieties and fears of that child. It can also give an insight into the child's aspirations and perception of the world. Some children report that their "imaginary friends" manifest themselves physically, and are indistinguishable from "real" people, however it is unknown whether these cases correspond specifically to any pathological condition.
See also
- Aloysius Snuffleupagus
- Drop Dead Fred
- "Dave", an episode of Lost
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
- Hide and Seek
- "Tuttle", an episode of M*A*S*H
- Imaginary Friends, an acoustic pop band.
- James of Late
External links
- Invisies™, a website for proving the existence of imaginary friends.
"Imaginary friend"