Oversharing can be an indication of a variety of mental illnesses, but most commonly it is a symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a mental health condition characterized by intense emotions and behaviors that go beyond typical expectations.
Those suffering from BPD may have difficulty controlling their emotions and behaviors, and may have difficulty regulating their thoughts, resulting in oversharing and difficulty controlling who they share personal information with.
Other mental disorders that can lead to oversharing include bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Additionally, some people with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, can become preoccupied with food and feel the urge to constantly talk about it, which might be perceived as oversharing.
Regardless of the disorder, it is important to talk to a mental health professional if you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of oversharing.
What is oversharing a symptom of?
Oversharing is often a symptom of a more deeply rooted problem, such as underlying mental, psychological, or emotional issues. People may overshare as a means of expressing their frustration, anxiety, sadness, or other negative emotions without being able to verbalize what they are feeling.
This behavior may be a result of a person feeling overwhelmed or out of control, or a lack of healthy coping mechanisms or emotional outlets. Without positive ways to manage stress, they may turn to oversharing as a way to vent and process their emotions.
In some cases, it can also be a sign of low self-esteem, a need to feel validated, or fear of rejection or disconnection. By oversharing, they may hope to elicit a response or be rewarded with attention or approval.
Is oversharing a trauma response?
Yes, oversharing can be a trauma response. Trauma can cause a person to have difficulty regulating emotions, and when this happens, individuals may find it hard to control how much they are disclosing about themselves.
Oftentimes, those experiencing trauma may compulsively share details about their painful experiences or feelings as a coping mechanism to help them process their emotions. Over time, it can become a way for them to manage their distress.
Additionally, oversharing can be a way for them to alert other people to their distress or vulnerability and increase the chances of receiving understanding and support. However, if not addressed, it can create problems with relationships and personal safety, leading people to set boundaries to protect themselves.
It is important to take the time to understand how trauma has impacted the individual and explore what supports and skills can be put in place to help them manage their emotions in a healthy manner.
What is the root cause of oversharing?
The root cause of oversharing is largely due to the prevalence of social media and the presence of a generalized concept of ‘image culture’. With the advent of platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, it has become increasingly easy to post thoughts and opinions online and to have them seen by thousands of other people.
Additionally, there is a constant pressure to maintain an online presence which often leads to people revealing private matters publicly in order to act as a means of personal validation and to appear ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’.
This need to conform to a particular online identity and share a self-defined ideal of oneself can lead to people oversharing, either consciously or subconsciously, in an effort to attract attention from both their peers and strangers.
Oftentimes, people do not consider the consequences of sharing personal information online, such as the risk of identity theft or cyberbullying, as they are too focused on the perceived benefits that oversharing can bring.
It is important, therefore, to be cognizant of the risks associated with oversharing and to take caution when using social media to ensure that private matters are not revealed to the public.
Is there a disorder for oversharing?
Although there is not an official disorder that is labeled as “oversharing,” there are mental health issues that can lead to a person’s overshare of information. Typically, these mental health issues could include extreme cases of bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and other similar disorders.
When a person suffers from one of the mentioned mental disorders, they may lack the self-awareness necessary to understand the social norms for personal sharing boundaries and can lead to an overshare of information.
People are more likely to share more personal information as feelings of distress increase and comfort decreases. This can lead to situations in which someone is sharing information that could potentially be very intimate, embarrassing, or even damaging if shared.
These situations can be difficult for the person who is oversharing and for those who are on the receiving end of it. To help a person who is oversharing, it is important to understand that the behavior could potentially be caused by a mental health issue that is causing the person to have difficulty in inhibiting themselves or recognizing social boundaries.
If a person is displaying signs of oversharing, they might benefit greatly from speaking with a mental health professional.
What causes overexplaining?
Overexplaining is a situation in which an individual provides too much information or uses unnecessary words to explain a situation, usually in an attempt to make things absolutely clear. It typically results from a desire to explain complex concepts or difficult topics in simple language for an audience unfamiliar with the material.
It can often be the result of inadequate preparation, as an individual may be forced to fill the gaps in their knowledge with wordy explanations or descriptions that don’t actually clarify anything. It can also be a result of difficulty managing nervousness, as an individual attempts to sound smarter by adding unnecessary details.
In addition, it can be caused by a lack of confidence in the material or in the ability to explain it effectively. A lack of practice in communicating complex material out loud, or a fear of not being able to answer questions can lead to overexplaining as an individual tries to avoid potential criticism or humiliation.
Can oversharing be a coping mechanism?
Yes, for some people, oversharing can absolutely be a coping mechanism. In certain situations, when you may be feeling vulnerable, scared, or overwhelmed, it can be helpful to reach out to others and share your feelings, experiences, or thoughts.
By doing this, you are able to gain perspective and validation from other people, which in turn can help you to cope with a challenging situation.
For some people, this sharing may reach a point of ‘oversharing’, which is when the person goes beyond what might be considered ‘normal’ sharing and begins to share more intimate details or very personal stories.
This can be seen as unhealthy for some people and situations, as it can create a feeling of being overwhelmed, and can also lead to an imbalance in relationships where one person may be taking up too much space or dominating conversations.
In the context of mental health, oversharing can be seen as an unhealthy coping mechanism, as it can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, and can cause interpersonal issues. It is important to find a healthy balance between being open and honest about feelings, experiences, and thoughts, without oversharing or going into too much detail.
Finding an appropriate way to talk about experiences, as well as other coping mechanisms, such as exercise, journaling, or therapy, can be helpful to manage difficult emotions.
What are the 5 types of trauma responses?
The five types of trauma responses include shock, denial, disbelief, fear, and guilt.
Shock is an initial response to a traumatic event and can manifest as physical or psychological reactions. Common physical reactions include trembling or shaking, shallow breathing, nausea, or numbing.
Common psychological reactions include feelings of confusion, shock, or numbness.
Denial is a defense mechanism in which people refuse to process the reality of a traumatic event. This can manifest as a refusal to accept that the trauma happened or blaming others instead of taking responsibility.
Disbelief is another symptom of traumatization. It can feel like something that couldn’t possibly have happened and may be met with a deep-seated sense of disbelief or questioning.
Fear is a normal reaction to trauma and can manifest in physical symptoms like racing heart rates and hyper-alertness. It is a normal and healthy response to danger, but it can also affect a person’s behavior in the short and long term.
Finally, guilt is a common trauma response. People may feel as though they should have done something to prevent the trauma or somehow have different. Guilt may not even be justified, as it is often based on feelings about the event rather than facts.
What does anosognosia mean?
Anosognosia is a neurological condition in which a person is unable to recognize or accept that they have a physical or mental impairment. It is commonly used to describe neurological impairments such as paralysis, stroke, and Huntington’s disease.
People with anosognosia may deny or refuse to accept the severity of their impairment, and may even attempt to deny its existence altogether. Anosognosia can cause people to attempt to deny the need for therapy or assistance to cope with the impairment, or to refuse to use assistive devices e.
g. wheelchairs or voice amplifiers. Anosognosia can be a very frightening experience, both for the person suffering from it and their loved ones – while people with anosognosia may be unable to recognize or accept their physical or mental impairment, those around them can recognize it, and they may be unable to understand why the person who has the impairment is unable to do so.
People with anosognosia are typically prescribed rehabilitation therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and psychological therapy, to assist in their recovery.
Why have I started oversharing?
I have started oversharing because it helps me to feel more connected to people and makes me feel more supported. Additionally, oversharing helps me to process my thoughts and feelings, gain feedback and clarity, and understand my experience in a more meaningful way.
It is also a way for me to connect more deeply with people, build relationships, and explore my identity and self-expression. By being more open and vulnerable, I am able to explore the depths of my emotions and the challenges I am facing with greater authenticity and appreciation.
Finally, oversharing helps me to feel less alone in my experience. In a world that can feel overwhelming and alienating, it allows me to experience moments of true connection, safety, and understanding.
What is trauma dumping vs venting?
Trauma dumping and venting are two very different ways of dealing with stress and surrounding trauma. Trauma dumping is the process of quickly and impulsively sharing a large amount of information about oneself, their pain, and/or their struggle without fully processing it beforehand.
It is typically trying to move the focus away from the person to naturally decrease the level of pain felt in the moment, mostly out of an uncomfortable state of panic or avoidance. It is different from venting in that the goal of trauma dumping is to rapidly release everything that is overwhelming or uncomfortable, while the goal of venting is to gain an understanding and perspective on the situation, usually by engaging in conversations with an understanding friend, family member, or therapist.
Unlike trauma dumping, venting encourages the individual to begin to understand and work through their emotions in a safe and supportive environment instead of impulsively and quickly dumping it all on another person who may be unprepared to adequately deal with the situation.