Ever walk away from a conversation thinking, did I say too much? You’re not alone. Hi, I’m Dr. Tom McDonagh from Good Therapy SF. And that nagging fear that you’re annoying people often says more about your anxiety than about reality. So let’s break it down.
This thought is a form of mind reading. You assume others are irritated, but without any real evidence. It’s more likely your brain is trying to protect you from some type of social rejection.
Second, it often traces back to some type of people pleasing. So if you grew up feeling responsible for others’ emotions, your brain might now interpret neutrality or silence as disapproval.
So try this reframe. If I were annoying, would I even notice? What we’re trying to say here is that annoying people typically aren’t overanalyzing their behavior. The fact that you’re worried says that you care maybe even too much. So the goal is not to silence the thought, but to try to challenge it instead of spiraling. Pause and ask, is there any actual evidence or is this just anxiety talking?
So if you can relate to this. Therapy might be able to help you build more confidence in your relationships. If you’re curious to hear more, reach out to us at Good Therapy SF.
