What could be causing my mother to talk out loud to herself?
Many people, young and old, talk to themselves when they going through their day. Perhaps she has talked to herself her whole life, so this may not be a new habit for her. You may have never noticed this about her, as she may have mumbled to herself when she was younger, and this is not as noticeable. Now, she is probably talking loudly since she cannot hear herself talking as well. She may not even realize how loud she is talking due to her hearing problems, especially if they are severe. I wouldn't worry too much about this behavior, unless she starts to talk to people that are not there (delusion). Hope this helps!
This question makes me laugh, because I have talked to myself most of my life and have always worried about it. It's especially bad when someone catches you! haha. At work I kept track of finances for people and always added out loud, which people found unusual. But it helps me get things straight. I even talk out loud when I'm having a large dinner for people and when I work it out step by step, I can organize myself better. Believe me, I've always wondered if I was crazy.
Years back, H left for work, the kids left for school and only the dog was left at home with me. Believe it, that dog learned English well. She'd be taking a nap and I'd say something like, going upstairs to get the laundry and she'd scoot up the stairs while I'm still at the sink. Or, look, the mailman's coming and she'd be at the door even before I left the kitchen. I think it's like cwjiggs honestly posted, habit. Now I talk to the commentators on TV and if they ever invent a feedback to some of these channels, sign me on. I'm guessing tho, if it's just mumbling or incoherent talking, that may be a problem. I don't wish to make light of it, sorry.
I am 72 years old and I talk to myself and have always done so. My children questioned this habit when they were younger and my rsponse was that it was the only way I knew I would have an intelligent conversation.
It is probably nothing more than organizing thoughts or thinking through a situation to find a resolution. It is quite different from talking to people who do not exist.
Joyce Meyer mentioned on her TV show recently that people remember/pay attention to what THEY have said aloud better than what others say to them. That's why self talk needs to be positive. I like to talk to myself/pet aloud. When I hear something negative, I can check MY attitude and get back to positive/uplifting thoughts. Hope all the above helps you relax.
ALL OF YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY DAY. I HAVE TALKED TO MLYSELF WHENEVER MULTITASKING ALL OF MY LIFE. NOW AT 70 THEY SEEM TO THINK THAAT I'M LOOSING MY MIND. I ALSO TALK TO THE DOGS ALL THE TIME. I'M NOW ALONE. IT SEENS TIO HEDLP THE GRIEF.
SECOND EDIT--I AFLSO SING SONGS TO MYSELF AND WHEN WORKING JTALK MYSELF THROUGH THE STEPS. I WAS BORN WITH A SLIGHT LEARNIONG DISABLITY THAT WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTILL I WAS IN MY 30's. I ALSO WEAR HEARING AIDS. WHEN I PLAY ORGAN I SING IT TO MYSELF TO BE ABLE TO GET THE CORRECT EXPRESION. I DON'T THINK THAAT ITS PART OF GROWING OLD. SOME OF US HAVE DONE IT ALL OUR LIFE AS A WAY OF COPING WITH PROBLEMS.
My mom has Alheimer's and for about two years talks constantly to herself...........or hums all the time.....regardless of whether anyone is in the room or not. She also has no clue that she is doing this. Most everyone just accept it and realize that it is what it is, but every once in a while, a stranger will hear her and they are quite "taken back" by it. We were in a restaurant waiting to order one day (Captain D's) and she was humming loudly and the cashier very rudely said to the customer that she was waiting on that she could not hear them and cut her eyes over at my mom. Needless to say, she and I had a little chat after everyone had cleared the counter. I didn't want to embarass her, but I did want to make her aware that she needs to think before forming an opinion of what is transpiring. Anyway...it is a way of life in our household. And for those of you who know my postings, you will know that I will say...it is what it is....and in the scheme of things, it does not matter whether your loved one admits that they are talking to themselves.....they are very likely not even aware of it! Good luck to you all.....it is very nice to know that there are others that I can talk to who can relate to my situation. Oh yeah, my mom is 78 and does not wear hearing aids.....her Alzheimer's is pretty severe.
It's like this. President Obama said dialogue/discourse will bring peace. That's why we're prone to talking, whether it's to ourselves (the need to talk to an intelligent person), the dog, the TV. It's good for the lungs, too! And the other day I read a study where "people who hum are more likely positive in their outlook and use outward expression." Good for all of us. I'm of the mind that, if it feels good, makes you feel good (and within the law), do it.
I love all your posts. I have always talked to myself when I am alone or planning something (it is just thinking out loud) and I like to do that...I just assumed that everyone did that at some time or another.
Bonniecanby...I love to sing while I work and sometimes create my poems this way....makes the words flow more easily. When I was a child I remember that my mother always hummed or sang while she worked or was doing something she enjoyed. I agree with you that it could be way of coping too. I think we sometimes talk to ourselves when we have had our feelings hurt...it is a way of rationalizing or planning a response...and we say to ourselves what we would probably not say to the individual. lol
