I am 20 years old. I was born in Southeast Asia, but my family relocated to Australia when I was a child. My alcohol and tobacco use is limited to family events, and I have never experimented with drugs. I have been diagnosed with TMJ and nasal polyps; I’ve dealt with them for a while, and they don’t cause me much trouble. I’ve grown accustomed to the persistent jaw discomfort and the difficulty breathing caused by the polyps obstructing my airway.
My primary concern is that my mind is presenting me with “memories” involving a girl I don’t know and have never met. She is a musician, and I first saw her face on an album cover that my cousin posted on Facebook.
Her name is Rosie, and in my mind, she is my partner; every memory feels incredibly authentic. For instance, while talking to a buddy, I mentioned what she and I had done over the weekend. My friend was very perplexed because my actual girlfriend’s name is not Rosie. However, my brain is convinced she is. It feels as if I had amnesia and my past is suddenly resurfacing.
It only takes about two seconds after I speak for me to realize that it wasn’t real.
This started the moment I saw her picture. I haven’t suffered any head injuries recently, and I have no other symptoms. I haven’t been under stress, and I am definitely getting sufficient sleep.
This is clearly not normal, so is there something wrong with me? Should I consult a physician immediately?
28 Likes
Not a doctor. I would suggest consulting a psychiatrist. This might be a symptom of a mental health condition or perhaps a neurological issue. It is certainly not typical.
Not a doctor. Commenting to help this get seen. I agree with the other poster; you should see a psychiatrist right away. Deal with this situation now before it potentially worsens.
Not a doctor. I’d advise seeing a general practitioner as well as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Everyone has an imagination—sometimes a very vivid one—and no one has a perfect memory; people often fill in the blanks when remembering events.
That said, the fact that you have moments where you believe these fantasies are true, combined with how suddenly this started, is concerning and unusual. It could be a sign of a physical or psychological ailment, so I would definitely insist on a thorough medical evaluation.
Not a doctor. However, major mental health issues like schizophrenia can manifest in individuals during their late teens or early twenties. I would recommend getting this evaluated immediately.
That is peculiar. Set up an appointment with a doctor or psychiatrist to receive a formal diagnosis. I have some theories.
The fact that you recognized this immediately and are looking for guidance shows you are very self-aware; don’t let yourself down now and make sure to get an appointment as soon as possible.
You mentioned that your friend was confused because your partner’s name isn’t Rosie. To be clear, do you have an actual girlfriend in real life who isn’t Rosie?