I predict this thread will tank. But, hey, that's never stopped me before ...

Talk of orgers hearing external voices in the "Are you lonely" thread got me to thinking about something possibly, tangentially related: I'm intrigued that some people I know at various times in their lives have engaged "made-up" personalities for various reasons. I'm not talking about full-on diagnosible delusions or dissociations, but rather something more benign: Some kids, for example, have "invisible friends" when they need a confidant, a protector or someone to blame who's not there. Some adults come up with a personality -- and occasionally even imagine it as part of themself -- when they need inspiration, audacity, impartiality, etc. from some external force that they may otherwise not be able to tap. (Beyonce's got "Sasha Fierce," for example; Prince, though mostly for artistic reasons, has had "Camille"; my mother-in-law says she's got "Christina" when she needs to muster attitude).

Have you or someone you know ever done this? Who was/is this personality? And what function did/does it serve?
[Edited 2/22/10 19:53pm]

I have an alter ego character I created about 10 years ago named Bernie. He's not really an imaginary friend. He just pops up now and again. Only my roommate really recognizes when he's around. I can have a certain expression on my face, and he knows Bernie is here.

ernestsewell said:

What does Bernie do for you?

I talk to the window on the bus.

Lammastide said:

Make me and my roommate laugh. Sometimes I might do the voice, under my breath, if either of us are anxious or excited for something.

ernestsewell said:

thesexofit said:

I think that's a tad bit different than the phenomena I'm talking about.

Lammastide said:

Ok being serious now, I have never put on any persona or anything like that. But Prince use to do a sorta pimp persona to amuse his friends apparantly?
[Edited 2/22/10 20:33pm]

Miss Demeanor was my only alter ego. Sometimes I miss her.

I used to pretend to be an old lady called Mrs Rubber



I have a recording (or rather HAD) of Mrs Rubber and her Band singing When Doves Cry

A friend of mine is getting a divorce. His wife has accused him of being with a few different women...
She has called these women up and gone off, then later claimed it was her "other self" who went off, and she doesn't remember what she did.
Not too long ago, she grabbed one woman in church! But it wasn't her... it was [forgot the name].

does drawing a face on your hand before wanking count?

whistle said:

Tip: Draw a face on each hand and have a "threesome". Ooh la la!

johnart said:

I love how the person in the snuggie IS actually you.

HamsterHuey said:

"Just John!"

And I am sure EVERY person has got different sides, just the really emotional ones are actually aware enough of them to name them and to give them separate attention by actually giving them a stage.

I thought being a manic depressive will make me develop an alter ego, but I don't have it

Not to bring a morbid mood into this thread but since you asked, the ONLY person I knew who had an alter ego was a girl who I went to Jr.High with, she was constantly raped by a family member(I'm not talking molesting, I'm talking FORCED rape) anyway, the only reason I know is because they sent him to jail(and my mother who was a friend of her mother confirmed this to me later in life).

I assume that she developed this alter ego as a defence mechanism,,,but it could be for other reasons, who knows.

Its def an intersting subject and I'd love to learn more about it

I sometimes pretend I'm a dorky 37 year old dude from South Carolina named GottaLetitgo.

Cow said:

This is a great thread topic Lammastide

I can't say that I have one now, but when I was in 2nd grade, I used to go into the bathroom, "transform" by touching my pink star earrings and then pretend I was the African American version of this character:

I at times have conversations with myself in my head... and these conversations sometimes grow to actual arguments... soon as i know it, i'm screaming "shut the fuck up", "you don't love me" or "son of a bitch" at the top of my lungs. I come back to, when i notice people are taking notice...

I think it could be a slight disorder of torets...

I'm very reclusive and secluded but, i have a alter ego when im on stage. Performing my music. the name of this charicter is Nyse. he is very loud brash and unpredictable...

now that I think about it... those arguments in my head must be between me(michael) and that Nyse charicter...

yea Im kuh-razy I know... but im just keeping it real

HamsterHuey said:

Because I'm stupid like that.

I have a drunk alter ego named Paul Tolberson. It's a very long story and an inside joke, but Paul only comes out after one too many cocktails. He is a very competetive loving drunk, but can be obnoxious. We actually killed him off a long time ago, but its sort of like Weekend at Bernies. He occasionaly makes apprearances at parties.

Ohh yeah, he also likes to get naked often. Big fan of public nudity.

I'm an actor. It goes with the territory.

missfee said:

African American version of Jem, eh? Was your name "Ice" or "Bling?"

















Racist joke. I'll take my lashes.

being as that I'm painfully shy around people I don't know Sister Iona allows me to reach out to people and spread my message

Harlepolis said:

It's apparently common in cases of trauma like this. What I find interesting is to what extent some victims retain the personality into their teen and adult years.

Convention says this sometimes hints at some potential onset of schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder. But it can't possibly be that pathological always. And it can't possibly be relegated to cases of trauma... can it?

nyse said:

Are you just messing with me?

If not, I actually find this interesting... particularly the full-on arguments.

NewPowerToad said:

Pictures!?!?!

Genesia said:

You're also crazy in your head and a drunk. Your bases are covered.