Can't Stop Sharing

[NicG]

So I'm experiencing a lot of problems in trusting people close to me, even the oldest friends I have. I think they secretly don't want to be around me and they only put up with me because they feel bad for me. I know in my head that that's absolutely not true, but that doesn't stop me feeling it.

Problem is, I seem to have the opposite problem with new friends. I was just wondering, does anyone else seem to have this urge to tell new people their story? Or at least parts of it? I seem to feel this need to share that I'm struggling and don't have it all together with new friends and I hate the idea that I'm scaring people off because of it!!

 

[rightkindofme]

I'm a compulsive sharer. People who meet me learn a lot about me. Some people will be scared off and you are better off without them. Some people will bond more strongly because of the shared intimacy. It's a mixed bag but life always is.

 

[Angelwings]

A lot of people go through a phase where they tell everyone. I know my friend did, and I did about 7 years ago. I have since stopped and only tell my T and my Psychiatrist. When people learn about how severe my PTSD is, they tend to leave.

 

[LilBit]

My sufferer overshares compulsively with acquaintances, everyone around her thinks she is transparent. BUT although she will say she is crazy, she does NOT confide about her ptsd. Whispers it like it is a dirty secret, like if you know you will run, shun her like she said leprosy.

 

[WillowMarie]

I get strong urges to tell people when I start feeling closer to them. It feels weird and uncomfortable to me because I know I should'nt spill to people at work that I have just starting getting closer to.

I think it also is if they are guys and are good listeners or if I see a softer side of them. well, maybe I have thought about it with the one lady, but I don't think she is as good of a listener as the other guy.

 

[NicG]

Thanks so much guys! I feel a bit better knowing that it's not just me. Secret, it was a phase for you? I hope it's that for me. I really struggle to hold my tongue sometimes and when I don't I get down about it later thinking that I've driven away a new friend! It's just a challenge to figure out when the right time to open up is, since often I feel like that's all there is to me.

Thanks guys! This was my first post on this forum and I suddenly feel a lot more supported and understood in everything =D

 

[rightkindofme]

It hasn't been a phase for me. I think some people go through a phase and for some of us being "over-sharers" is a lifestyle choice.

I have an extremely large network of friends and support because of how much I talk about my mental health. There is not a uniform experience of over-sharing.

 

[NicG]

Hmm okay. I suppose then the more important thing is finding the right group of friends who accept you and love you the way you are? Rather than trying to fit into some mould of what you should be. Thanks!!

 

[rightkindofme]

Yup. My friends are very sure they want someone who is just like me. :) Even though I am difficult and prickly and prone to overshare things that kind of scare them. They can tell me that I need to stop on a given day and I do. :)