Communication is an essential part of life and human relationships. In most cases, it gives us the opportunity to connect, share experiences and build meaningful relationships with others. However, there are times when a conversation can become a source of overwhelm rather than enrichment. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by people who talk a lot? If so, don’t worry, you are experiencing a much more common reaction than you might think.
In this Psychology-Online article, we explain What to do if I get overwhelmed by people who talk a lot, why some people get overwhelmed when people talk too much. We will analyze the causes behind this feeling and provide strategies to address this situation and foster healthy relationships.
People who talk a lot bother me, is it normal?
Feeling overwhelmed by people who talk a lot is a very common experience in everyday life. This reaction is a natural response to variety of social interactions that we experience throughout our lives. Each person has their own threshold and preferences as to the amount of conversation they can tolerate or enjoy.
The normality of this response is based on the diversity of personalities, communication styles and personal needs in the social sphere. Some people may feel more comfortable in shorter, more balanced conversations, while others may enjoy longer, more forceful exchanges of words.
It is essential to understand that occasionally feeling overwhelmed by people who talk a lot does not imply a psychological or emotional problem. Getting overwhelmed reflects the uniqueness of each person and their ability to deal with different social dynamics. You may also be interested in the article.
Why do people who talk a lot bother me?
Feeling overwhelmed when being with people who talk a lot is a common experience that can lead us to wonder why it happens. Below are some of the reasons behind this situation.
- Tolerance level: Each person has a different threshold for the amount of information they can handle. When someone talks constantly and without pause, he can exceed this threshold, leading to cognitive overload and, consequently, overwhelm.
- Imbalanced communication: In a healthy conversation, it is expected that both parties have the opportunity to speak and listen. When someone talks non-stop, it creates an imbalance that can make others feel excluded or unappreciated. This imbalance can generate overwhelm and frustration.
- Personality: Personality differences are also important to understand the reasons for overwhelm. Introverts, for example, tend to need more time to process information and may feel overwhelmed when they are forced to constantly respond to a person who talks a lot. On the other hand, extroverts may be less likely to feel overwhelmed in these situations. Remember that there is no personality better or worse than another, they are simply different and enrich human diversity.
- Social anxiety: Those who experience it may feel extra pressure in social situations, making them more likely to feel overwhelmed when people talk a lot. In these cases, worry about being judged or not knowing how to respond can intensify the overwhelm.
- Ability to process information: Each person needs time to process the information and ideas that are presented during a conversation. When someone talks constantly without leaving room for reflection, it can be difficult for others to keep up and fully understand what is being said. This need to process can contribute to overwhelm, as others may feel overwhelmed by the speed of the conversation and the lack of opportunity to assimilate the information.
How to deal with people who talk a lot
Dealing with people who talk a lot can be challenging, but it is possible to maintain effective communication and healthy relationships. Here are seven tips for dealing with people who talk a lot in a respectful and constructive way.
- Let them know how you feel: If the person is monopolizing the conversation and won’t stop talking, you can intervene politely by saying something like: I appreciate that you want to share so much, but I feel like I haven’t had a chance to express my thoughts. Would you mind if I also contribute to the conversation?”
- Encourage empathy: try to understand why the person talks so much. Sometimes people do it out of insecurity, anxiety, or the need to feel heard. Practicing empathy can help you be more tolerant.
- Choose the right time: If you need to talk to someone who talks a lot, choose an opportune and quiet time for the conversation. This can reduce the person’s anxiety and improve communication.
- Listen to them: even though the person talks a lot, try to listen carefully when they have something important to say. This shows that you care about what you are telling him and may be able to reduce his anxiety and need to talk constantly.
- Ask open-ended questions: Invite the person to share their ideas and thoughts in a more structured way by asking open-ended questions. This can promote a calmer, more balanced conversation.
- Verbal communication: your body language is also important. Maintain eye contact, nod to show you’re listening, and use gestures that show interest.
- Set limits: If the person continues to talk incessantly despite your attempts to balance the conversation, it may be necessary to set limits. Explain respectfully that you need your space or time to talk and how you feel when he talks so much. In this article we explain to you.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Hidalgo, A. (2016). What to do with people who talk a lot and don’t let anyone talk. https://terapiaconana.com/blog/que-hacer-con-las-personas-que-hablan-mucho-y-no-dejan-hablar/
- Homeweb. (2023). What to do with a person who talks a lot? www.inicioweb.es -. https://www.inicioweb.es/faq/que-hacer-con-una-persona-que-habla-mucho/