Imaginary Friends

I’m sure many of us, have had, an imaginary friend at one point in our lives. But for those of us who enjoy considering a range of paranormal possibilities - imaginary friends can be thought of in many different ways. Are they an invention of our active childhood imaginations? Or spirits trying to communicate with us (namely, children)? Or are they demons meant to lead us astray as children? Or who only knows what else? Is the existence of an imaginary friend a indication of an overactive imagination? Or is it possible… in some way… that said “friend” exists in some other reality or dimension? I think the simplest explanation is that imaginary friends are a normal way for children to practice using their imagination and expand their social skills when not around others. But what about when your imaginary friend from childhood ends up following you into adulthood? Normally other adults might consider this to be a sign of madness. But when the person is aware of the differences between fantasy and reality and yet they still mentally interact with the fantastical: is that insane or maybe just a coping mechanism? As a child you were comfortable with said “friend” and so this comforting past time will follow you into adulthood. Imagine yourself in a happy place … whenever your stressed, you close your eyes and go to your “happy place” to calm down. Obviously this happy place of yours  involves fantasy. I would consider this to be a good example of an imaginary friend/world as a coping mechanism. But I guess my main question is: Do you believe that it’s possible for our “imaginary friends” to actually exist in another dimension or reality? ~Tracy