Imaginary companion in adolescence

The phenomenon of imaginary companions, which is usually regarded as normal in children, but which when encountered in adolescence suggests a psychopathologic condition, appears to have had limited investigation. This study indicates some psychopathologic characteristics of imaginary companions by interviewing adolescent patients. Imaginary companions are experienced as one or more invisible persons who have some conversations with patients directly and mutually for a period of time. They consist of vivid images which range between pure perceptions and pure images. The position of these images is not specified, and includes images perceived internally and externally by the patient. Adolescent patients sense the reality of these images and think of them as other persons, but recognize that these are not real people. Generally, imaginary companions are beneficial to the patients. These characteristics indicate that the phenomenon of imaginary companions has a mainly pathologic structure, but some characteristics, such as the patients' recognition of the imaginary aspect of the companion and the benefit for patients, does not fall under the category of psychopathology. We suppose that elucidation of this phenomenon would lead us to productive research in the psychopathologic field.