People talk to themselves to organize thoughts, plan, and focus, and it is normal.
Why
- Organizes thoughts and plans.
- Helps memory and focus.
- Regulates emotions.
Research
A 2012 study found people find objects faster when they say the name out loud.
Is it normal
Yes. It is a normal form of self-talk.
See a doctor
If you hear voices that others don’t or the talk is confused.
Self talk
Talking to yourself is very common. Surveys suggest that most adults talk to themselves out loud at least occasionally. Psychologists call it private speech, and it starts in childhood. Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky described how children use it to guide actions, and it usually becomes internal by age 7 or so, but adults still use it.
Functions
- Planning and problem solving: a 2012 study in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (Gary Lupyan and Daniel Swingley) found that people find objects faster when they say the name aloud.
- Memory aid, such as repeating a list.
- Emotional regulation: using “you” or your own name (distanced self talk) reduces stress and improves performance, according to research by Ethan Kross.
- Motivation, in athletes.
- Reducing loneliness.
- Focus during tasks.
Positive and negative self talk
Positive, instructive self talk can improve performance. Negative self talk can worsen anxiety and depression.
When it can signal a problem
Self talk that comes with hearing voices responding, feeling controlled by outside forces, confusing thoughts with reality, disorganized speech or loss of function may point to a mental health condition such as psychosis. Talking to hallucinated voices differs from normal self talk.
Is it normal
Yes, for the vast majority. Geniuses and ordinary people do it.
Tips
- Use a calm, supportive voice, and refer to yourself by name for stress.
- Use it for planning.
- Challenge critical thoughts.
See a doctor if
You hear voices that others don’t, have paranoid thoughts, or the talking causes distress or trouble functioning. In the US, call 988 if in crisis.
Psychology of self talk
Talking to oneself is common and normal. Research by psychologist Gary Lupyan and Daniel Swingley (2012) found that saying the name of an object aloud helped people find it faster in a search task. Self talk supports memory, planning, motivation and emotional control, and athletes use it to improve performance. Third person self talk, studied by Ethan Kross, can reduce stress.
When to seek help
Self talk is not a sign of mental illness by itself. Concern is warranted if voices are heard that are not your own, commands are heard, or speech is disorganized, because this may suggest psychosis. In the US, call or text 988 for mental health crisis support.
Based on data from the American Psychological Association and published studies
