What does it mean when people refer to themselves in the third person?

Plausible answer...

I believe that first and foremost this is most likely an affectation. Possibly an attempt to get attention. Possibly they want someone to be concerned that they aren't well. If this is the case, I would talk to them at least in passing and ask why they say that. Another one could be that they have self-acknowledgement issues. Possibly guilt/shame/embarassment. Possibly low self-esteem. They may feel like an outsider as this would be a symbolic way to represent the self in a disasociated manner. People who do this may be coping with some issues that need to be brought into light. I would look at other aspects of their behavior. If it is deliberated towards some and not others, those who they direct this impersonal self-reference towards may be people who they feel neglected by. They may be sanely trying to say, in an oblique manner, "You don't acknowledge me, and so now neither do I." Possible Passive-aggressive tendacies? I would say these are most likely only because I have personally done this in my youth for reasons stated herein.

First answer by Kyle of Romany. Last edit by Kyle of Romany. Contributor trust: 27 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 5 [recommend question]