Do you often catch yourself providing excessive details to friends and even casual acquaintances? While you might dismiss this as a mere idiosyncrasy, research suggests that it can be an indicator of childhood trauma. Naturally, divulging personal aspects of your life to those close to you isn’t unusual. However, the issue arises when the sharing becomes disproportionately extensive or stems from a desire to appease others.
Overexplaining is a common trauma response observed in individuals who grew up in an environment where they constantly felt like they were treading on thin ice around their parents. The constant fear of making a mistake or saying something inappropriate was so overwhelming that it instilled a sense of paralysis. Consequently, they resorted to people-pleasing as a defensive mechanism to ward off potential abandonment.
Unraveling the Connection: Neuroscientist Sheds Light on How Overexplaining Can Indicate Childhood Trauma
Neuroscientists have shed light on the intriguing correlation between overexplaining and childhood trauma. Overexplaining is characterized by an individual detailing or justifying their actions or decisions excessively, and it can be a potent indicator of past trauma.
As per the insights shared by neuroscientists, overexplaining stems from a deep-seated fear of abandonment or rejection, often linked to childhood experiences. In an environment where a child feels they’re constantly walking on eggshells, they may develop a habit of overexplaining as a defense mechanism. This behavior carries into adulthood as a trauma response.
The fight, flight, and freeze responses, which are natural reactions to perceived harmful events, threats, or attacks, can also trigger overexplaining behaviors. These behaviors may develop unconsciously during childhood and persist into adulthood.
Overexplaining can include oversharing and disclosing inappropriate information and details, which could potentially make others uncomfortable. It’s also noted as one of the behaviors that might indicate emotional neglect during childhood
Understanding the link between overexplaining and childhood trauma can be instrumental in developing effective communication habits and strategies for individuals who overexplain. It can help them break free from this pattern and communicate more effectively, enhancing their interpersonal relationships
It’s crucial to note that if you or someone you know exhibits this behavior, professional help should be sought. A trained mental health professional can provide the necessary guidance and support to overcome these trauma responses.
Common Reasons for Overexplaining
- History of Gaslighting or Twisted Words: When individuals have been subjected to gaslighting or had their words manipulated in the past, they may overexplain to ensure that their point of view is correctly understood.
- Avoidance of Judgement or Misunderstanding: People often overexplain to preemptively tackle potential judgment or misinterpretation of their actions or words
- Fear of Setting Healthy Boundaries: Overexplaining can be a manifestation of an individual’s fear or discomfort in setting appropriate boundaries, resulting in excessive justification of their decisions.
- Childhood Trauma: Overexplaining is often associated with childhood trauma, especially verbal, physical, or environmental abuse. This behavior can be viewed as a ‘fawn’ response, a survival strategy to avoid conflict or abandonment.
- Misguided Attempt to Gain Sympathy: Sometimes, oversharing or overexplaining can be an attempt to elicit sympathy or understanding from others. It can also be a way for individuals to share their mistakes in a bid to help others.
Five-Step Process to Uncover the Root of Overexplaining
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist, has developed an approach to managing thoughts and emotions that she refers to as the “mind-management system.” Her work focuses on the belief that our thoughts and mental state can significantly impact our overall well-being.
This mind-management system is about becoming more aware of our thoughts and learning to control them effectively. Dr. Leaf’s techniques aim to bring awareness back to our thoughts and guide us in managing them more efficiently. She explains that the mind is constantly working, and negative or toxic thoughts can inevitably arise.
Dr. Leaf suggests that proper mind management supports and sustains a healthy lifestyle. By managing our thoughts, we can redefine our life story, leading to better mental health and overall well-being.
While some have critiqued her work, arguing that it oversimplifies complex neurological processes, many find value in her strategies for managing stress and enhancing mental health.
The process involves:
- Self-Reflection: Start by observing your own behavior. Pay attention to when and with whom you tend to overexplain. This self-awareness can provide crucial insights into your triggers.
- Identify Patterns: Look for patterns in your behavior. Do you overexplain more when you’re stressed, anxious, or around certain individuals? Understanding these patterns can help identify the underlying issues.
- Analyze Past Experiences: Consider your past experiences, especially your childhood. As neuroscientists have revealed, overexplaining can be a sign of childhood trauma or emotional neglect. Reflecting on your past can shed light on any unresolved issues that may be causing this behavior.
- Professional Help: Seek professional help if necessary. A trained mental health professional can guide you through the process of uncovering the root cause of overexplaining. They can provide coping strategies and therapeutic techniques to help manage this behavior.
- Implement Changes: Once you’ve identified the root cause, work on implementing changes. This could involve setting healthier boundaries, developing better communication skills, or addressing unresolved trauma. Remember that change takes time and patience.
Final thought
You now have a clearer understanding of why you may overexplain and how to use these strategies to modify this behavior. It’s important to remember that oversharing is not intrinsically negative, it only becomes detrimental when used as a means to overcompensate for something else. If you find yourself overexplaining due to anxiety or to feel sufficient in social situations, this could indicate a need for personal healing.
Remember, overexplaining doesn’t have to dominate your life. Assistance from a skilled therapist or the application of self-help techniques like the ones discussed can aid you in resolving past issues.
