Think about a time when you were about to make an important decision. Have you ever talked to yourself, "Should I do this? Or not? What will happen if I do it?" Or have you ever thought to yourself, "Oh, where did I put this last..." while looking for your house keys? Actually, we all do this. We call it `` self-talk ''. So today, let's talk about whether this is normal or something we should be concerned about.
Why do we talk to ourselves? Is this normal?
Yes, most of the time this is perfectly normal and healthy . In fact, it's a little weird not talking to yourself at all rather than talking to yourself. According to one study, 96% of adults talk to themselves in their heads (we call this internal dialogue). And, only 25% of adults do the same thing out loud. So you see, if you do this, you're not alone.
There are several main reasons why we talk to ourselves:
- Organize your thoughts : When we have a lot of ideas running through our heads, saying them out loud can be a great help in organizing them.
- Making decisions: When we have to think about both sides, it is easier to make the best decision by talking to ourselves about both sides and arguing about them.
- Encourage yourself: Imagine you're about to start something difficult. When you tell yourself, "Okay, I can do this," you feel a sense of accomplishment, right?
- Reduce loneliness : Sometimes when we are alone, talking to ourselves can help us feel like we have someone around and help us avoid loneliness.
Simply put, talking to yourself is like talking about a problem with your best friend inside your head.
Self-Talk and Mental Health
The way we talk to ourselves has a huge impact on our mental health. There are two main types of self-talk: Positive Self-Talk and Negative Self-Talk .
Positive self-talk can help you boost your self-esteem and confidence . It can also help you solve problems. Studies have even found that when we talk to ourselves about an experience, we are more likely to learn from it.
However, if you constantly talk to yourself negatively ("I could never do this," "I'm useless"), it's not good for your mental health. So try to always speak to yourself in a kind, positive way.
When should we be concerned about this?
Here's the important part. As we mentioned earlier, while talking to yourself is generally a good thing, in some cases it can be a symptom of a serious mental health condition. This is particularly true in the case of schizophrenia .
So how do we know exactly the difference between the two? Look at the table below.
| Normal, healthy self-talk | Talking to yourself, which can be a symptom to be concerned about |
|---|---|
| Speaking with a purpose (e.g., to solve a problem, to remember something). | Mumbling unrelated sentences or words without any purpose. |
| The things being said are logical and orderly. | Thoughts are confused, and the things being said are unrelated. |
| Talking to encourage or comfort oneself. | Making up new words or repeating the same word or sentence. |
| This is something that happens under their control. | Acting out of control and speaking in strange, disturbing ways. |
Don't be afraid to hear the name. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects many people around the world and can be managed well with treatment. It is more common than diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Multiple Sclerosis. It usually appears at a young age, during times of major life changes.
A key feature of this is disordered thoughts . It feels like thoughts are stuck and jumbled inside the head. Then, when the person speaks, that confusion comes out.
Very important: If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms listed on the right side of this table, please do not ignore it . The best and safest thing to do is to see a qualified doctor (doctor) as soon as possible. The sooner you can identify and start treatment , the more likely you are to successfully manage this condition.
Take-Home Message
- Self-talk is often a completely normal, healthy, and beneficial thing to do.
- It will help you organize your thoughts, make difficult decisions, and give you courage.
- However, if the way you speak is strange (e.g. mumbling unrelated things, thoughts seem confused), it may be a symptom of a mental illness such as schizophrenia .
- If you have any doubts or fears about this, do not speculate and immediately consult a doctor for advice . With prompt treatment, you can control such conditions well and lead a normal life.
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