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Sue Cauhape's avatar

This is eerie and funny at the same time. When my husband is home, such as on weekends, I behave differently that when I'm alone. Alone, if I'm frustrated trying to do something, I yell and scream. I talk to myself more. When he's home, the yelling and screaming stops, but I still can't make myself stop talking. He's often confused by that and wonders is I'm talking to him. Half the time, I'm not. Poor man.

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Álvaro García's avatar

Haha, exactly! I think this difference between public and private behavior has to do with the fact that in private we're more permissive and do things that society doesn't consider positive in public. For example, yelling or leaving things messy. When we're being observed, we try to show a better version of ourselves, one that conforms to what society considers correct or good.

Oh, and I also talk to myself a lot; it's a constant dialogue with myself. I'm just like you, haha.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

My mom thought I was crazy because I always talked to myself, but pschiatrists have maintained for a long time that such a habit is healthy. I also talk to "invisible people" but I know they're fantasy. Shrinks also use that technique to telling the troublesome people in one's life with similar "rehearsals." We may not be able to carry those fantasy conversations over to an actual confrontation, but they help define what's rummaging around in our heads and getting it off our chests. Feels better than writing it all down actually.

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Álvaro García's avatar

Oh, I never used to do that. Although, like you, I do tend to talk to myself to organize my thoughts. This is something that has really intrigued me, and I know very little about it. I think it's time to investigate further. Thanks! :)

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I forgeet the name of the "puppets" shrinks use, but they will set up a human figure of some kind for the patient to talk to. I saw it once in a video many many years ago. Maybe things have changed on this line of therapy, but I look forward to what you dig up about it. Merry Christmas, Alvaro.

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Álvaro García's avatar

Wow, that's weird, I've never heard of that before. Maybe it's not done anymore. How strange! Hahaha

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