Imaginary Friends?

Question

My 9 year old step-daughter has been acting out a lot lately. So I took her on a long drive and began talking to her about behavior. She revealed to me that she has imaginary friends named Bob and Same and lately Bob has been making her do bad things like forget her homework, steal her baby brother formula and drink it, and be mean... while on the other hand Sam has been very nice to her and helping her out. They have been her friends for 2 years and she said her real mom knows all about them (called her mom and she in fact knew all about them said it was normal)She drew a picture of the two and siad that she uses her phone to call Sam and invite him over. she said that Sam told her he wanted her dead and his last friend died (Sam is jealous of her real mom being pregnant) I am concerned that this is overboard. I am wondering should I take her to a crisis center right now or can this wait till next week for her initial assessment with therapist. Is this normal????

Answer 1

Well... its definitely normal for a child to have imaginary friends.... but 9 is getting a bit old for that.  Especially to be blaming her bad behavior on them.  Its a coping mechanism for kids,  but again, I think 9 is getting to be a little on the old side for this.

It can wait until next week for her therapist.  But it is something that should be discussed with him.  Good luck!!

Answer 2

Missy, I am sorry to hear about these issues.  Having a 12 year old AUTISTIC step-son who has imaginary friends and talks to nothing, I say NO THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!!!  I have spent the better part of 5 years listening to psychologists and therapists talk to him, watch him as well as with my own daughters.  In Autism it is normal.  I do not know the medical term for this, but she may be having some sort of multiple personality issues, maybe bi-polar (a nice side and a mean side).  I am by no means a professional, however, I think you can wait for a week, but these issues need addressed immediately.  My step son does not have a lot of friends either because he is "different" but most of the kids he has grown up with and are understanding that he is different and just stay away.  Your step daughter does not sound autistic at all based on what you say here, but I say this is not normal.  Kids are kids and will always have "imaginary" friends...h**l even I did.  But I never had one mention dying or killing or anything negative.  If at all possible, keep me updated as I am very curious to see how far off I may have been.  Good Luck

Answer 3

Of course it is normal,but 9 year olds have real friends. She is probably in the stage of when she misses her mom or feels something of loss.Maybe it can be spiritual of some sort of connection.She needs to adjust to a lifestyle is is comfortable with and forced to have.I would take her to a therapist first and if things get out of hand, then try the crisis center.There may be problems she needs to face or it could all be a game.

Answer 4

This does not sound normal to me, but I think you can wait one week for the assessment with a therapist.  In the meantime, watch her closely.