What does it mean in psychology when a person talks about himself in the third person?

Talking about oneself in the third person is a phenomenon known as illeism. It is a form of self-reference that can be seen in a variety of contexts. In psychology, it is most often studied in the context of narcissistic personality disorder. People with narcissistic personality disorder often use illeism to distance themselves from their emotions and to create an image of grandiosity and superiority.

When someone talks about themselves in the third person, it can be a sign of a number of psychological issues. It can be a sign of low self-esteem, as the individual may be trying to distance themselves from their own emotions or experiences. It can also be a sign of narcissism, as the individual may be trying to create an image of grandiosity and superiority. It can also be a sign of dissociation, as the individual may be trying to detach from their own experiences.

In some cases, talking about oneself in the third person can be a sign of self-acceptance. It can be a way of acknowledging one's own experiences and feelings without feeling overwhelmed by them. It can also be a sign of playfulness, as the individual may be using it as a way to make light of a situation or to create a bit of distance between themselves and a difficult situation.

Overall, talking about oneself in the third person can be a sign of a variety of psychological issues, depending on the context and the individual's motivations for doing so. It is important to remember that everyone expresses themselves differently and that there is no one-size-fits-all explanation for why someone might talk about themselves in the third person.