Talking to yourself is ok
PHEW! Apparently, talking to yourself ISN’T a sign of madness.
It just helps us all to feel less distressed and more in control of our emotions, some new American research suggests.
A study from Michigan State University found that we respond better to negative images or upsetting memories from our past when we ask ourselves how we feel about them in the third person.
We gain psychological distance from our experience which regulates our emotions. It keeps us less stressed.
It still doesn’t explain, though, why I regularly need to ask myself why I’ve gone upstairs when I can’t remember.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here