Hey guys! I haven’t been in the forums in a while and I missed you all! ^•^ So, I have a question. Do I have a illness or just a really over active imagination? Let me explain. So first off, I can imagine anything anywhere. Like at night when I fall asleep, I go into a separate universe. (This months one is called Leland.) In this universe, I have all 7 senses working. Also during the day I can change the school to be more like Hogwarts. (Whoop whoop! Where are my HP fans at?) It’s not exactly like Hogwarts with the staircases but it’s pretty close. (In terms of subjects. Like PE is defense against the dark arts, science is potions ec. ec…) When I was younger, I didn’t think that it was weird that I could go through all the motions of making invisible cookies, but can taste them or anything. Or that pretending to be wearing earrings when I didn’t have my ears pierced. I should also mention numbers have attitudes and week days have colors. Please help me out guys. I’m nervous that I have a mental disorder. This is not a cry for attention. I am completely serious. Plz help though! Thanks so much! <3 Gracelinhappy
Hi Grace,
I feel you do need to visit a therapist or someone who understands better you feel and experience and the exact term to describe it. They will definitely tell you what you are experiencing. Whatever it is I am sure its only something extra or an addition to our senses.
I remember reading about individuals who can smell music, and see sounds etc. You can go to the appropriate umm I dont know the term, may be counselor after reading a little about it.
and some extra links:
Its fine to be nervous or worrying about your extra abilities. I hope you dont allow it to scare you.
Frankly, if I could see music or smell it, I would be elated to say the least.
Just my view.
See ya my friend. *Hugs*
Marina
4
^ No. This is not synesthesia. I hate to be so adamant about this, but its become a common occurrence for people to confuse synesthesia with what is likely an active imagination or another illness. I have synesthesia, and its kind of made our community a little twisted because so many people label themselves with synesthsia when they blatantly don’t have it and KNOW they don’t, or when they don’t understand what it is and say they do. Synesthesia is when you have two senses mixed. Its often referred to as a ‘sixth sense’ sort of thing because you’re having one sense triggered by another thing. It’s not something you can turn on and off like your imagination. Please understand why I’m so adamant that this is not it: Synesthesia is something that you have to live with constantly. Some people like it, but there are a lot of us who don’t. I, for example, see sounds. This has nothing to do with a made up land inside my head. This isnt a button I can press on and off. This is a constant thing I see every day. Good luck figuring this out, absolutely talk to a professional. I’m not a professional, but I speculate that this is a hyperactive imagination ? But I have no idea what you’re feeling other than what you’ve described, so definitely get a second opinion from someone who knows more!
system
5
Ahem, an active imagination is not a mental illness.
@Gracelin
I don’t know terribly much of either very active illnesses or mental illnesses, but I don’t think you have a mental illness. Having a mental illness would imply that in some way or other, your mind is impairing you, or making you unwell or less intelligent.
Maybe you just like to live in other worlds more than this real one (can’t say it’s rare if you read a lot of fantasy books and like them). But that doesn’t mean you have a mental illness. Take Lewis Carroll, for example. He wrote books that could be seen as really, *really* strange, but he didn’t have a mental illness, and I’m sure he had a great imagination.
If I were you, I’d use your imagination for something that you like to do. If you are still worried about maybe having a mental illness (which, I don’t see how a really strong imagination is mentally handicapping you), go see a mental doctor about it. You can also research it online, and you’re likely to find something on it. I know articles on the Mayo Clinic tend to be pretty accurate.
Marina
6
^Im well aware, Colie.I meant aside from Synesthesia. Thanks for pointing out that it could be misunderstood by some people!
system
7
i don’t think this is a mental illness either, I have a HUGE imagination that gives me many wierd and wonderful visions and benefits… and it has its disadvantages too. You are just like me, someone with a very active, very big imagination
Oh, Im sorry I didnt think of it that way that it could be unpleasant on many levels. I brought Synesthesia up wondering if Grace knows about it because to me it seemed like a relatively lesser known condition. Anyways, grace, I think by now you know what you could do - visit a specialist for clarification and what not to do, think of it as a mental illness or be scared. Take care.
Marina
9
^No no, its absolutely fine, I didn’t mean to sound so offended! A few years ago I brought up synesthesia and around four different users started saying they “probably had it too” because they “sometimes tasted things that aren’t there” and it got a little out of hand. They sort of treated it like a costume they could just put on for attention. Ever since, I’ve been a little bit defensive about it even though I probably shouldn’t be! Sorry if my post came off more blunt than I meant it, I’m still looking for ways to communicate those thoughts in a more positive way.
^That must be irritating.
To claim that they experience something which they dont. Umm now that you said it, ‘I, for example, see sounds.’ I am wondering what sound looks like to you? You can totally skip my question if its not something you would like to discuss.When I first read about this topic, months ago, (I guess it had another name or something, something like chromosynthesis, but I searched for it today and found nothing. I might be mistaken)
Go to a Doctor/Therapist/Psychologist and ask them. They are professionals, and with what you told to us, we as normal, not medically trained individuals, are unable, and not in any way capable of telling you if you have mental illness (besides perhaps Marina who has some experience with these things).
If you are seriously worried about your (possible) mental condition- Go see a professional about it.
Just my two cents on the subject: I personally wouldn’t worry too much about it, as how you describe yourself, it sounds like you have an active imagination. As long as it’s not interfering with your normal life/school grades, it shouldn’t be a problem?
Ok thanks you guys. @Marina
That kind of is sad that people pretend to have synthesia or however it’s spelled. Yeah I’m probably just over worried and I just have a very big imagination.
I’m a lucid dreamer. Sounds like you could be one too.
I think we can say with a fair amount of confidence that you do not have a mental illness. The fact that you know what you’re imagining isn’t real is a very good sign, and suggests that you merely have an active imagination,
Yep, that is true. And if it is seomthing, I wouldn’t call it a mental illness. Everyone has an imagination (I think, I suprise myself someitimes) but you know the difference. Get yourself checked for lucid dreams. It isn’t just controlling dreams, like I can do, but if you are aware, then its also considered lucid dreaming.
The second part is not uncommon, pretend to put vanilla on your hand, brush it with your other hand a few tiems and smell it. Every kid used to do that to try to convince people its magic.
Marina
16
(of course none of us are experts, so please see a professional for a sure thing diagnosis!)
I agree with what the others above said. It’s unusual, for sure, but not an illness. Regarding your dreams, it sounds like you have really good lucid dreaming. Basically that’s just controlling your dreams. I’ve done it before but not on the level you describe. I could just clean up a spill (make it vanish), change my outfit instantly, and some other little stuff. As for what you said about the cookies, it kind of reminds me of something we did in Theatre at my scool. We did this exercise where we went through the motions of cutting up a lemon and then biting into it. The best actors in class reacted exactly as if they’d actually bitten into a lemon. Everyone has a unique mind and sees the world in a different way. If it distresses you, talk to a psychologist, otherwise, I’d say embrace your abilites. They could be useful someday.
I like to imagine. I have an imaginary friend too, but to meet her I always need to close my eyes.
I love to imagine things, and so do my sisters!
@SweetBonnie
Please try not to bump old threads
