If you constantly get in trouble for talking or ranting about certain topics, you may have a mental illness.
Talking too much, also called compulsive talking or oversharing, is exactly what it sounds like. It involves talking for long periods of time without interrupting, talking about special interests, or interrupting someone to get your own thoughts.
An excessive talker can be particularly sociable, but experts told DailyMail.com it could be a sign of certain mental health conditions such as anxiety, ADHD and autism, all of which are being diagnosed at record rates.
Persuasion involves speaking for long periods of time without letting someone else speak, talking about special interests, or interrupting someone to collect their thoughts.
Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein, a licensed therapist in Florida, told DailyMail.com: “It’s not a two-way conversation. It’s more of a monologue. You’re talking to someone else, but you’re not allowing the other person to participate in the conversation, so you’re not as aware of their desire to participate or their interest.”
“A lot of people aren’t even aware that they’re talking too much, and once they realize that, it’s a big awakening moment.”
While excessive talking in itself is not an indicator of mental illness, below are four that can lead to excessive talking.
autism
Although excessive talking alone does not automatically lead to autism, it is a behavior that autistic people may exhibit
About one in 36 children in the United States suffers from the developmental disorder autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
People with ASD often have difficulties with social communication and interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests.
The rate is higher for boys (four in 100) than for girls (one in 100). However, autism is notoriously difficult to recognize, with the average age of diagnosis in the United States being around five years old. And in recent years, more and more adults have been diagnosed.
There is no clear cause of autism, and research suggests that the disorder results from a combination of genetic and environmental influences that affect early brain development.
Although excessive talking alone does not automatically lead to autism, it is a behavior that autistic people may exhibit.
‘[Autism] is more of a social communication disorder. Most importantly, we recognize the need to pause, interrupt and monitor eye contact, all non-verbal cues that are part of communication,” said Dr. Rubenstein.
ADHD
Among other things, people with ADHD may be constantly restless, unable to concentrate on a specific task, talk excessively, interrupt others and be easily distracted.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that is mostly diagnosed in childhood, but in recent years there has been an increase in diagnoses in adults.
The main symptoms of ADHD, which typically manifest before the age of 12, include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Among other things, people with ADHD may be constantly restless, unable to concentrate on a specific task, talk excessively, interrupt others and be easily distracted.
“Typically with ADHD there is a tendency towards impulsivity with reduced inhibition.” For example, you can say what comes to mind without filtering it, so that you have thoughts that come to you and just blow them out and not think. “Just say whatever comes to mind,” Dr. Rubenstein.
READ MORE: One in TEN high school students have attempted suicide
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in 2021, 10.2 percent of American high school students reported committing suicide in the past 12 months, up from about 8 percent in 2019.
Although it is most common in children who struggle to wait their turn in class, it can also be seen in adults with ADHD. For example, an adult may be impatient and unable to wait for the other person to stop talking. They can keep talking even when others have lost interest or forgotten to pause or breathe.
“With ADHD, you tend to need stimulation, and talking creates stimulation. “There are other aspects that can be lost because you’re overwhelmed by the stimuli you’re focusing on,” said Dr. Rubenstein.
Medications such as Adderall can help people with ADHD concentrate and avoid excessive talking.
Tension
It’s a common misconception that everyone with social anxiety is quiet or has trouble starting a conversation.
However, Dr. Rubenstein said excessive talking is a common feature of the condition.
“Silence is often associated with great fear.” People will speak not to suffer silence. Talking really diffuses that nervous energy.”
A brand [of anxiety] have racing thoughts. You have these racing thoughts, and then they come back as exaggerated.”
This also applies to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which involves excessive, persistent worry that interferes with daily life. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), GAD affects 6.8 million American adults, but less than half receive treatment.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that one in five adults in the United States has suffered from an anxiety disorder in the past year.
Bipolar disorder
BPD can lead to rapid or irregular speech that often does not make sense. This is called stressed speech and occurs when someone is thinking so fast that they can’t get their words out fast enough
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings from depression to mania.
People with bipolar disorder, which affects seven million Americans, experience fluctuations that cannot be corrected by small changes, such as getting more sleep or walking.
During a manic episode, patients may feel happy, uncontrollably excited, self-conscious, easily distracted, and irritable.
They may also be more active than normal, talk very fast, be very friendly with others, act inappropriately or out of character and sleep very little.
Meanwhile, during a depressive episode, a bipolar patient may feel angry, tearful, restless, tired, disinterested in the things they normally enjoy, and suicidal.
They may be withdrawn, have trouble sleeping or sleep too much, eat too much or too little, avoid contact with people and spend a lot of time thinking about distressing things.
Patients with bipolar I disorder have a history of at least one manic episode, in addition to depressive and manic episodes. In Bipolar II, mood fluctuates from high to low, but the outbursts are less intense than in Bipolar I.
Talking too much can be a sign of both subtypes.
This condition can lead to rapid or irregular speech that often does not make sense. This is called stressed speech and occurs when someone is thinking so fast that they can’t get his words out fast enough.
“The speech goes fast. This is what you will see during a manic episode,” said Dr. Rubenstein.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
