Buzz
Childhood is often regarded as a time filled with wonder, where imagination is nurtured and creativity is celebrated. As children grow older, society places less value on creative play, and it often becomes something that is even discouraged in adulthood.
A number of actions encouraged in children are often diagnosed as mental health conditions when exhibited by adults. It's believed that many grown-ups continue these behaviors in secret, fearing they may be labeled as insane.
Here are 10 common childhood behaviors that, when exhibited by adults, are often considered mental disorders.
10. They Have Imaginary Friends
Many young children have imaginary friends, and it can sometimes be challenging to tell if they are just pretending or truly believe in friends that only they can see. These companions may be invisible or represented by objects like stuffed animals.
Researchers at the University of Oregon estimate that by age seven, 37 percent of children have had an invisible friend. These friends can be human, animal, or even fantasy creatures. Studies show that boys typically imagine male friends, while girls often have friends of both genders.
Though it's commonly assumed that imaginary friends are created by lonely children seeking companionship, this isn't always the case. In fact, many children improve their social skills through these friendships.
The imaginary friends themselves aren't always well-behaved—they may refuse to come when called or get blamed when something is broken or messy. However, research has shown that even very young children tend to recognize that their invisible friends are simply imaginary.
While an imaginary friend in childhood is generally not a concern, it can raise issues in adulthood, especially when the friend is believed to be real. Adults might carry on conversations or engage in role-playing with their imagined friends. If the invisible friends respond, it may indicate schizophrenia.
9. They Believe They Can Fly
Many children have vivid memories of flying, often recalling it as a recurring experience.
Some children can describe the sensation of flying in great detail, recounting what they saw and experienced during their flights. Others may hold a deep belief that they can fly, but have simply forgotten how to do so.
However, when this belief persists in adulthood, it can be a sign of psychosis. In 2013, 17-year-old Henry Kwan jumped from the top-floor balcony of his house after consuming synthetic LSD. The drug triggered a psychotic episode in which Kwan became convinced he could fly. Despite his mother's attempts to stop him, he stripped off his clothes and leapt from the balcony to his death.
This is an extremely dangerous delusion, and those who experience it are strongly advised to seek professional help.
8. They Think They Are Someone Else
It is not uncommon for children to take on different personas. Role-playing is an important aspect of a child’s development, as it allows them to experiment with various characters. Experts believe that pretending to be someone like an astronaut or a firefighter helps children practice predicting how others might think or act.
While playing, children often fully immerse themselves in the roles they assume, truly believing they are the astronaut or the firefighter. For most kids, these imaginative games are short-lived, lasting only an hour or two, but some can become quite elaborate and extend for longer periods.
However, if adults believe they are someone else, it could indicate dissociative identity disorder (formerly called 'multiple personality disorder').
This condition is thought to arise from repeated trauma, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse. The mind may create a new personality as a coping mechanism, providing emotional distance from the painful memories and the potential for further harm.
Research indicates that up to 99 percent of individuals diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder have endured a series of recurring, intense, and life-threatening events.
7. They Believe They Can Levitate
Many children are convinced they have levitated, often claiming to float down the stairs. It's unclear whether they are confusing dreams with reality or simply engaging in fantasy, but the belief in levitation is common during childhood.
This phenomenon is not new. In 1665, Samuel Pepys documented a childhood experience of levitation in his diary, at a time when such events were believed to be signs of supernatural influence.
Adults can also experience the sensation of floating, commonly through an out-of-body experience. This can happen during a rare episode, such as when a patient feels as though they are floating above their body while watching the medical team perform surgery.
For most individuals, these strange experiences are not harmful to their mental well-being and can even be viewed as a positive occurrence. However, if out-of-body episodes persist, they might be indicative of depersonalization disorder, where an individual may feel detached from both their body and thoughts.
6. They Believe They Are Robots
Children are often captivated by robots. The idea of something that resembles a human yet isn’t one sparks their curiosity. Youngsters love pretending to be robots, mimicking robotic movements and speaking in mechanical, monotone voices.
However, some individuals experiencing depersonalization disorder may have a warped perception that makes them feel as though they are robots. They come to believe that they are not human beings, but rather emotionless machines.
This condition is often mistaken for depression. Although it can be unsettling, it is typically temporary. But without proper treatment, the symptoms may resurface.
5. They Believe They Have Special Powers
It is common for young children to believe they possess unique or hidden abilities. It's unclear whether this belief is inspired by movies and TV shows, or if it's simply part of their innate childhood imagination. Experts suggest that these superhero fantasies help children feel in control and aid in developing skills like patience, kindness, and self-confidence.
However, if adults hold onto the belief that they have extraordinary powers, it could point to delusions of grandeur, a form of delusional thinking. This might manifest as the belief that one is secretly a royal heir or an undercover celebrity. Sadly, such delusions can persist for long periods of time.
In one reported case, a psychiatric journal shared the story of a man who, for 25 years, believed he was 'an internationally renowned secret agent' responsible for altering military strategies at the age of eight. He also thought he had the ability to control the US Army with his mind, and that he alone coordinated the liberation of Kuwait.
This man even convinced his wife and child that he was a supercharged James Bond. This case was deemed an example of folie a trois, where three individuals share the same delusional beliefs.
The man claimed that he was paid over $100 million for his work by grateful nations. However, when he attempted to withdraw the funds, the bank denied that such money existed.
When foreign governments sought his expertise in intelligence gathering, he turned them away. In retaliation, they used their power to block him from receiving planning permission for his house. Or at least, that’s how he perceived the situation.
Although these delusions may seem absurd to others, it is believed that those suffering from them genuinely believe them to be true. They cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imaginary, even as they fabricate 'evidence' to convince others.
This condition is sometimes thought to be a symptom of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
4. They Do The Same Thing Repeatedly
Children often enjoy repetition. It’s common for them to want to watch the same movie, read the same book, or play with the same toy over and over. Even a slight change in their routines can upset younger kids.
Adults, too, can find comfort in routine. But when a routine becomes so important that it interferes with daily life, it can develop into obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
While a child might enjoy hearing the same bedtime story each night for the comfort and familiarity it brings, an adult who feels compelled to re-read the same page multiple times to ensure they haven’t missed anything isn’t likely to find comfort in it.
The disorder can consume increasing amounts of time as someone with OCD repeats behaviors until their anxiety subsides, allowing them to move on to other tasks. Experts note that these checking rituals can take up to 10 hours a day in severe cases, significantly limiting the person’s life opportunities.
3. They See Monsters Under The Bed
Nearly every child experiences a fear of monsters lurking beneath the bed or hiding in the closet at some point. Films have explored this common childhood fear. Despite the dread evoked by movies like Monsters, Inc., this fear usually fades away by the time a child reaches adolescence.
Teraphobia, the fear of monsters, affects nearly all children, though it is rare among adults. This fear can be briefly triggered by watching horror films or telling ghost stories but tends to vanish within a few days.
For some individuals, however, the fear lingers. Like any phobia, it can begin to interfere with daily life. Treatment typically involves antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Therapists also recommend leaving a light on to help ease the fear.
2. They Are Fussy Eaters
It’s common for infants and toddlers to develop particular food preferences. They may insist on eating only a select few items and refuse to try anything new. This often frustrates parents since many foods will be unfamiliar to a young child. However, this phase typically only lasts for a few years.
Some individuals, however, carry these food obsessions into adulthood, which can greatly affect both their mental and physical well-being. While anorexia and bulimia are well-known eating disorders, there are other, less recognized conditions.
One such disorder is rumination disorder, where individuals feel the urge to regurgitate and re-chew their food. Another condition is avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, where individuals fail to consume enough food to meet their nutritional needs, but are not concerned about their weight or body shape.
These disorders can clearly have a harmful impact on one's overall quality of life.
1. They Have Night Terrors
Occasionally, children (typically between the ages of 4 and 12) go through episodes of night terrors. While they usually don’t recall much or anything at all from these incidents, it can be unsettling for anyone witnessing it. These terrors typically occur 2 to 3 hours after the child has fallen asleep. The child might sit upright, try to get out of bed, scream, and seem panicked. Their breathing may be rapid, they may sweat, and their heart might race as though they’ve been running.
Night terrors are generally short-lived. Most children only experience a few occurrences, although it’s possible for them to happen more frequently. It’s believed that these terrors are more likely to occur when a child is over-tired or sleeping in an unfamiliar environment.
In adults, night terrors can take a much more serious form. Those who experience them are often more prone to mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. There’s also a connection between night terrors and post-traumatic stress disorder. While night terrors themselves are not considered dangerous, the underlying issues often necessitate treatment.
