Is Compulsive Talking A Disorder?
By
PsychReel
In this blog, we will discuss compulsive talking disorder, and also include various terms used to explain the compulsive disorder, signs, and symptoms, causes of compulsive disorder, tips to help, and answer frequently asked questions.
Is Compulsive Talking A Disorder?
Well, compulsive talking is not an official diagnosis or a specified medical condition but it can often be a sign or symptom of other conditions like pressured speech, hyperverbal, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, etc.
Let us understand what compulsive talking is and explore various conditions it is associated with and also understand what you can do if you are someone who talks compulsively.
What is compulsive talking?
Compulsive talking is a speech pattern in which the speaker feels compelled to keep talking. People who suffer from compulsive talking may be aware that their speech is uncontrollable or obsessive, but they also feel compelled to speak in order to feel safe and in command.
When you don’t speak up when you have a compulsion, you may experience significant levels of worry, wrath, or overwhelm. Compulsive talking entails more than just talking a lot, and compulsive talkers may not speak very often, if at all.
Rather, they may yell at inopportune or unrelated moments, continue to speak despite the fact that the person with whom they are conversing is eager to end the conversation, or even admit to wrongdoing or inappropriate thoughts.
Compulsive talking isn’t limited to a single topic of discussion, nor is it limited to those with a particular background, history, or psychiatric illness. It is, nevertheless, linked to a number of mood and personality disorders.
Medical terms used for excessive talking
- Pressured speech
This sort of speech is characterized by quick, frequently forceful speech that is difficult to stop, even when other people try to speak.
You speak at a considerably faster pace and sometimes even at a higher volume than usual. You may feel as if you have no control over the words that come out of your mouth as you leap from concept to idea, weaving thoughts together so quickly that listeners can’t keep up.
- Hyperverbal
Fast, enhanced speaking is referred to as hyperverbal.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re speaking hastily in order to get everything out. You may find it difficult to wait your turn to speak and frequently interrupt others.
Pressured speech is similar to this, and some experts may use the two terms interchangeably. However, unlike pressured speech, hyperverbal communication will not necessarily require fast transitions between thoughts or the use of rhymes or puns to connect thoughts.
- Speech that is disorganized
Rapid switching between subjects is common in this sort of communication, and there is often no clear relationship between the topics.
You may respond to queries with responses that others believe are completely unrelated. Disorganized speech can sometimes consist of a succession of random words with no apparent connection.
Even if disorganized speech isn’t as fast as normal speaking, it might still be confusing to others. When it’s severe, it can make it difficult to communicate normally.
Signs and symptoms of compulsive talking
Older studies on over-communication found that while many people regard talkativeness as a favorable trait, some people go too far with communication.
The researchers detail a few crucial signs of compulsive talking, or “talkaholism,” as described by the researchers:
- In most groups and places you are the one to talk the most in comparison to those around you
- You struggle to keep quiet even at places that require you to be silent such as libraries, schools, workplaces, etc.
- Other people often point out that you talk a lot
- Even if talking a lot poses problems for you but still you find it difficult to stop talking
According to other studies, certain compulsive talkers may:
They are oblivious to the fact that they talk excessively, are argumentative, and have a habit of dominating talks. They are unconcerned about criticism or bad comments from others.
Compulsive talkers, in general, have difficulty controlling their speech, even when they try hard.
Causes of compulsive talking
- Social anxiety
Do you tend to talk when you’re nervous? And the more nervous you get, the more likely you are to keep rambling on. Even introverts might become overly talkative as a result of nervousness, especially if they suffer from social anxiety (anxiety triggered by new social situations). Too much talking produces a fake persona behind which we can hide our fearful selves.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
- Adult ADHD
Do you ever have the feeling that words fall out of your mouth before you even realize you’ve said them?
Do you have a habit of interrupting others before you realize it?
Have you ever had the feeling that your thoughts and mouth aren’t connected properly, leaving you ashamed and irritated at yourself?
Our brains work in different ways at times, which might result in compulsive speech. Your brain bounces from one thing to the next if you have adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and you may have challenges with impulse control, such as speaking out of turn and interrupting others.
- Codependency
Do you find silence to be unsettling? Concerned that the other person isn’t speaking because they’re upset or something is wrong?
People with codependency issues often also have people-pleasing tendencies. They tend to fill stillness with peppy chattiness in an effort to make everyone around them happy, oblivious to the fact that the other person may not be in the mood to talk.
- PTSD
Have you ever been through a horrific event as an adult? Or a string of traumatic childhood events? One of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is anxiety, which can lead to excessive talking.
Complex PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder induced by a series of stressful events over time, such as childhood sexual abuse, is frequently associated with shame. Again, shame can lead to some of us presenting ourselves as bright and chatty in order to hide our true selves, which we believe are insufficient.
- Borderline personality disorder
Are you the master of deep, intense conversations that last for hours and make you forget about the rest of the world? But do you ever get angry and say rude, hurtful things that push people away? And then you’re left in a puddle of regret?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition in which you lack emotional regulation and impulsive control in comparison to others. And being rejected elicits a strong reaction in you, causing you to strike out. BPD affects a large percentage of those who have experienced childhood trauma, particularly child sexual assault.
What to do if talk a lot and don’t know what to do? Tips to help
- Keep an eye on how others react.
Observing other people’s reactions can teach you a lot about your talking style and volume.
Consider the following questions:
Do individuals often begin talks by stating something like “I only have a few minutes to talk” or “I’m in a rush, so we’ll keep this short”?
Do folks appear hesitant to initiate a conversation? As you go in, they may wave and exit the room, or they may respond to phone calls with a quick text.
Consider putting your well-honed conversational abilities on hold and using the time to improve your active listening skills.
- Maintain a healthy balance in conversations.
This can be done through:
Instead of filling the space with your own experiences, ask questions.
Instead of worrying about what you want to say next, listen to what others have to say.
When a conversation comes to a halt, don’t jump in.
When someone else is speaking, don’t interrupt them.
- Make yourself at home in silence.
When a conversation comes to an end, it is common for people to feel uneasy.
Perhaps you talk a lot because you’re afraid of coming across as dull. You might even worry that your partner’s silence means the two of you have nothing to say to each other and that this is a sign your relationship isn’t going to last.
Silence, on the other hand, isn’t always a bad thing, and some individuals even prefer it. It allows you to reflect and filter through your thoughts. Even if you’re merely listening, actively and respectfully participating in a conversation takes energy. Your discussion partner, or anyone else, may not have the same level of conversational vigor as you.
Conclusion
If you talk a lot but people appear to appreciate it and keep reaching out, you definitely don’t need to worry about how much you talk. However, if it appears that others are purposefully avoiding having conversations with you, you should try to share less and listen more.
If quitting the practice of non-stop talking proves difficult, a therapist can assist you in identifying the causes of compulsive talking and establishing more attentive communication skills.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Is Compulsive Talking A Disorder?
What mental disorder causes a person to talk excessively?
Hyperverbal speech can be a symptom of anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When you experience anxiety, you may talk more than normal or speak very quickly. An excessive amount of self-talk.
Is there a disorder that affects your ability to speak?
Certain vocal problems can also be classified as speech problems. Stuttering is one of the most commonly seen speech impairments. Apraxia and dysarthria are two further speech problems. Apraxia is a motor speech problem caused by impairment to the brain’s speech-related areas.
What is it called when a person can’t stop talking?
Someone with logorrhea, or a compulsive inability to stop talking, is always talking and can’t seem to stop.
Why can I not speak properly?
Dysarthria is a condition in which people have trouble speaking. It can be caused by brain damage or changes in the brain that occur as a result of certain nervous system diseases, or it might be caused by aging.
Why do I mumble when I talk?
When you mumble, it’s usually because your mouth isn’t open wide enough. When your teeth and lips are partially closed, the syllables can’t escape correctly and all the sounds blend together. Looking down and speaking too quietly or too rapidly might also cause mumbling.
Why do I speak so fast and unclearly?
When you have a fluency disorder, you struggle to talk in a fluid, or flowing, manner. You may repeat a word or portions of a word, or you may hesitate awkwardly between words. This is referred to as stuttering
References