Do you find you interrupt people a lot when they are talking/change the subject?

[Bananamango]

From what I understand, impulsive behavior and impulse control can be an issue with PTSD.
Interrupting is considered to be a bit of an impulse control issue, and I've read it can be related to anxiety.

I have a friend with PTSD who will very frequently, interrupt me, right in the middle of a story. He'll spot something as we're walking and say "oh, I wonder where that road leads" or something like that, totally changing the subject. (Doesn't seem to be related to the topic I'm discussing, it's not a boring or distressing topic--just anything.) I usually have to start up again and he listens the second time around, but near the beginning, he sometimes does this.

He's admitted to social anxiety issues, so wondering if it's related to that...but I'm just curious if others with PTSD find this to be something they do. I've never met anyone who does it so frequently.

And if you it is something you do, do you know why it happens?

 

[Kubash16]

To be honest I’m not sure if I do it frequently-I definitely don’t try to. But, I know I have done it with some regularity and the hard part is I don’t realize until way after. I’m really not good at social norms. My mind runs about a mile a minute in fifteen different directions that I’m paying equal attention to. So I’m hearing you and can probably repeat what you said verbatim but I’m also thinking about the past, about the future, about this, about that, and several other things that usually don’t have any link to each other.

Just mention it when he does it that way he can learn to stay focused on the one thing.

 

[LuckiLee]

My guy does that when he's stressed. He can't slow his thinking. Good, bad and ugly thoughts nonstop in a continuous loop.....

 

[Bananamango]

Just mention it when he does it that way he can learn to stay focused on the one thing.

Your description sounds like what I’ve imagined is happening...

How would you guys word it so I don’t offend or upset him?

He’s pretty sensitive. Cannot take even light teasing (even though he dishes it himself!) so I don’t tease him at all anymore. He seems to embarrasses easily and it sometimes comes out as anger. I sense he harbors a lot of shame. :(

 

[Kubash16]

Your description sounds like what I’ve imagined is happening...

How would you guys word it so I don’t offend or upset him?

He’s pretty sensitive. Cannot take even light teasing (even though he dishes it himself!) so I don’t tease him at all anymore. He seems to embarrasses easily and it sometimes comes out as anger. I sense he harbors a lot of shame. :(

That’s the hard part because it’s so individual. But I wouldn’t have any problem with someone making light of it or a joke of like hey stay here with me, or there ya go interruptin again with a lighthearted voice. But I have thick skin so someone more sensitive may take issue with joking like that.

 

[Friday]

That’s part and parcel of my... oh look! A chicken!... other disorder (ADHD), so I can’t really speak to the PTSD side of that, or not.

I can say it’s a frequent side effect of combat & police work, however. Not just for the ADHD folk who do it naturally, but because “Oh look, a chicken!” becomes “Oh look, a sniper!” -or- “Oh look, a weapon.” -or- “Oh look, a perfect site for an ambush.” -or- “Oh look, a heavy coat in summertime.” (Concealed weapon vs Chemo? All depends.)

So, speaking as someone with ADHD & combat schtuff... it’s both hugely relaxing to spend time around people whose minds go “Oh look!” (Either naturally, or from training & experience), and of no moment. Meaning we don’t actually divert from the original convo much, if ever. It’s simply shared info.

“That looks weird...” or “That’s not right...” however, will stop any convo dead in its tracks.

Because that’s alarm bells ringing, mind has noticed something whilst ranging out for things to notice, rather than simply sharing it’s ranging.

 

[Mach123]

I have this really bad. I don't like this about me. The therapist said it's part of my oral fixation. My mind is quick but I don't think as well or as effectively as I could if I didn't talk compulsively. I usually wish almost every exchange were different. I always feel like I messed up. The anxiety this produces is very difficult and no matter how I try to stay on guard I feel always like I lose control somewhere during the conversation. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[Bananamango]

I can say it’s a frequent side effect of combat & police work, however. Not just for the ADHD folk who do it naturally, but because “Oh look, a chicken!” becomes “Oh look, a sniper!” -or- “Oh look, a weapon.” -or- “Oh look, a perfect site for an ambush.” -or- “Oh look, a heavy coat in summertime.” (Concealed weapon vs Chemo? All depends.)

So, speaking as someone with ADHD & combat schtuff... it’s both hugely relaxing to spend time around people whose minds go “Oh look!” (Either naturally, or from training & experience), and of no moment. Meaning we don’t actually divert from the original convo much, if ever. It’s simply shared info.

This resonates. He's ex-military and he’s the most observant person I’ve ever met. He does remember what I’m saying later, so yes, I think he’s taking it all in. And we don't divert either.

He sometimes is just quick to jump in and keeps asking questions as I'm trying to answer, which makes it tricky to talk with him at times, but with his most noticeable interruptions, he just makes his observation and we go back. It is usually quick, and it is usually pointing something out, now that I think about it! It's not that he starts telling a story or something. It's just pointing out something he sees.....and it's worse when we're out walking around than say at dinner. But even at dinner the other night he was pointing out stuff in another part of the restaurant as I was talking. I think you might have hit the nail. Thanks for your two cents.

 

[Abstract]

That’s part and parcel of my... oh look! A chicken!... other disorder (ADHD), so I can’t really speak to the PTSD side of that, or not.

Ok moments like these are when I start believing those friends who are professionals and say I probably have ADD. I talk and think in tributaries. Similar minded people can still happily follow me to the sea but others just get stuck in the tributaries.

Had thought that interrupting was ego stuff going on but actually all the stuff on this thread makes perfect sense. Good luck thinking of a way to tell him. ;-)

 

[Bananamango]

Similar minded people can still happily follow me to the sea but others just get stuck in the tributaries.

Good luck thinking of a way to tell him. ;-)

Fortunately I go off on tangents myself sometimes (just generally my own tangents!) so I’m good with going off but then coming back.

And yes, I’m not sure how to say something! I’m not sure joking about it will go over well. Not very thick-skinned (but man, has he ever expected me to be! Good test for me at times!)

Do you think it’s wise anyway? Will it actually help him to change? (Maybe he doesn’t even see it as a problem?). Don’t I risk just irritating him?

It’s not really bothering me too much, especially if I understand it’s not coming from trying to be rude, but other factors may be at play. Makes it easier to overlook/‘forgive.’

 

[Freida]

ptsd and 20 years in 911 -- I am totally incapable of letting someone finish their thought! :laugh:
The ptsd has me watching everything and hoping they will just shut up until I figure out if I'm safe and the 911 side of me has to get all the information into usable form in less than 90 seconds. Luckily most of my friends come from one of those two worlds because otherwise people wouldn't be able to stand me!

 

[Rani G2]

but I'm just curious if others with PTSD find this to be something they do. I've never met anyone who does it so frequently.

@Bananamango more in the „listening“side. I dislike talking a lot and if I do I think hardly if it’s relevant or not before making a comment. I also prefer listening because I need to truly understand a persons motivations, and if someone has a certain pattern when communicating I feel I have more control over the situation. If observed closely it’s interesting how human communication works.