What Trauma Causes Oversharing? Exploring the Connection
Understanding Oversharing and Its Roots
Oversharing. We’ve all done it at some point, right? You’re talking to someone, and suddenly, you’ve spilled your deepest secrets—without even realizing it. It’s like there’s a voice inside urging you to speak, even when you’re aware it might not be the best idea. But why does this happen? Why do some of us tend to share too much, even when it feels uncomfortable later?
From personal experience, I’ve noticed that oversharing can sometimes feel like a release, a way to unload years of pent-up emotions or thoughts. It’s like your brain is screaming to be heard. But what causes this behavior? Is it just a lack of social awareness, or is there something deeper at play, like unresolved trauma?
1. The Connection Between Trauma and Oversharing
Honestly, oversharing isn’t just a random impulse—it’s often linked to trauma. But how, you ask? When you’ve experienced trauma—whether it's emotional, physical, or psychological—it can affect how you manage emotions and communicate with others.
The Need to Be Heard
One of the most common reasons trauma causes oversharing is the deep need for validation and acknowledgment. If someone has been through emotional neglect or abuse, for example, they may crave attention or understanding to heal. Oversharing becomes their way of forcing people to listen. I remember talking to a friend who, after a difficult breakup, suddenly found herself telling random strangers about her past relationships. She wasn't doing it to shock people, but it was as though the need to be heard overpowered her usual filters.
Repetition of Past Experiences
In some cases, oversharing can be a way to repeat an unresolved trauma. For instance, if you were never allowed to express yourself as a child, you may overcompensate as an adult, constantly overloading others with details. I’ve seen this in some people who had overly strict or emotionally distant parents. They might constantly feel the need to share, thinking it will fill that void of attention they lacked growing up.
2. Psychological Effects of Oversharing
Oversharing often leads to emotional exhaustion—not just for the person doing it, but also for the people around them. And yet, the person might not even realize how much they’re oversharing until later.
The Emotional Burden
When you’ve experienced trauma, talking about it constantly can sometimes feel like a coping mechanism. It might seem like you're dealing with it, but in reality, you're just re-traumatizing yourself by reliving the experience over and over. I’ve noticed that after sharing too much, there’s a sense of emptiness—like you’ve given too much of yourself away. It’s hard to feel truly heard when the response you receive isn't one of empathy but of judgment or awkwardness.
Breaking Social Boundaries
Oversharing can also stem from difficulty in setting boundaries. Some people, due to past trauma, may not have learned how to gauge what’s appropriate to share. They may have grown up in an environment where their personal space or privacy wasn’t respected, leading to challenges later in life in managing what’s shared with others.
3. How to Address Oversharing and Heal from Trauma
Recognizing that oversharing might be linked to trauma is the first step. The next one is working on understanding why you do it—and how to heal. So, how do you begin?
Seeking Therapy or Counseling
One of the most effective ways to tackle oversharing linked to trauma is through therapy. Therapists can provide a safe space for you to unpack those painful memories. Speaking to someone trained in trauma recovery helps you work through these emotions without overwhelming those around you. Honestly, it was only when I started attending therapy that I understood how much of my oversharing was an attempt to avoid addressing deeper issues.
Building Healthy Boundaries
Learning how to create and maintain healthy boundaries is also a crucial part of the healing process. Once you start recognizing that oversharing doesn’t serve you, it becomes easier to find a balance between vulnerability and self-protection. It’s a journey that takes time and self-reflection, but it’s incredibly empowering once you begin to understand your limits.
Building a Support System
It’s important to have a group of trusted people with whom you can share when you feel the need to open up. But the key is quality over quantity. Choose those who will listen with empathy and respect, rather than judgment. I remember a time when I shared everything with anyone, just because I felt like I had to. Once I started sharing with just a few trusted friends, the relief was immeasurable.
4. The Takeaway: Understanding Your Need to Share
Oversharing isn’t just a random quirk—it’s often a symptom of something much deeper. Whether it’s the need to feel heard, unresolved trauma, or a lack of boundaries, oversharing usually comes from a place of emotional pain. But the good news? It’s fixable.
If you recognize that you tend to overshare, start by asking yourself why you’re doing it. Are you seeking attention? Validation? Or do you feel as though you’re carrying a burden that no one else seems to notice? Understanding the root causes of your oversharing is the first step in breaking the cycle.
Sometimes, taking small steps like finding a support system, learning boundaries, or even just reflecting on your feelings can make all the difference. It’s about finding a way to express yourself that honors your emotions without overwhelming yourself or others.
Have you ever caught yourself oversharing and wondered why? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
---|---|---|
14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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