Reader’s Question

I find that sometimes when I am in a group of people or even by myself, I start talking to myself. I know that I talked to myself a lot when I was a child, and as I got older, I think that I have gotten better about doing it. But today my mother said that she noticed it when we were out at dinner with some friends the other night. Do you know why I might still be talking to myself and how I can stop?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Talking to oneself is actually more common than most people think. And it’s not necessarily a sign of something to worry about, as it is often regarded by others.

Some recent research has indicated that talking to oneself might even be correlated with higher intelligence as well as higher capacities for insight. Sometimes, it can be a defense against anxiety, especially interpersonal anxiety. And, of course, sometimes it can be associated with various mental conditions.

If the issue really bothers you and you’d like to stop doing it so much, or if there are other, associated concerns, it would be best to visit with a mental health professional. You should probably consider a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other professional who can not only help you overcome your problem but also has the requisite training to thoroughly assess what might be going on with you.