I'm overwhelmed quite easily by people.Why do some people find it difficult and others so easy?

Answer 1

The defense mechanisms we've developed play a large part in how we react to others in situations that discomfort us. Some of us learned to withdraw and seek solitude, others learned to avoid solitude and seek company.

I am of the former variety. However, I found that I sat in my own skin more easily the older I got and the more I survived. I also find that when I can cope far better when I have few stressors, like a family emergency or grief.

It may look easy when you see many people conversing and interacting, but we all have our situations where we are excrutiatingly uncomfortable.

I also deal better when my self-esteem is good. The insidious part about low self-esteem is its insular, self-centered nature. When I doubt myself, that focus on my negative qualities means I imagine everyone focusing on my and my negative qualities as well...when really they are worried about things in their own lives and don't notice me at all.

Answer 2

I wish I knew more about your reasons for being 'overwhelmed' by people. Is it the collection of people in one place that overwhelms you? (crowds, etc.) Or some other specific situation? Sounds like you have a 'fear' that is slowly budding inside you about being around people. You have to watch that because it can grow and you'll find yourself staying inside the house more often than not. There is a book that I'd like to recommend called : Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders - Page 41
by Aaron T. Beck, Arthur M. Freeman, Denise D. Davis - Psychology - 2003 - 412 pages
Many of the people with this disorder have a core image of themselves as ...
The deep concern about being helpless is linked to a fear of being overwhelmed, by people...
Limited preview - Table of Contents - About this book. There are several pages of this book, specifically talking about being overwhelmed as you have mentioned right on line.

I hope you will take the time to go and read these. If nothing else, it will explain this fear and also help you to understand it's a personality disorder - and there are ways that you can be helped.

I do understand somewhat how you must be feeling. While I don't call my desire to be 'at home'more than getting out a fear, I just don't like crowds, and have not for a long time. I avoid shopping malls like the plague - especially during holiday times. I order most of my clothes from magazines - and if I do shop, it's Kmart/Walmart and early mornings or late nights when the crowds are not so prevalent. I know you'll feel better when you read these pages. Good luck and feel better.

Answer 3

I'm a graduate from the school of hard knocks. I majored in
Hard Times, did a senior thesis on 'Taking A licking But Keep On Ticking', and today are several steps up from an
entry level. Maybe if reader was also thinking about more upward mobility she could rise above previous petty difficulities presented by other people.

Answer 4

*The environment in which one is raised is a huge factor. For instance, if you are raised in a large city, you may be more comfortable around people, and ultimately, strangers. On the other hand, if raised in a small town, you're more likely to be uncomfortable with people you don't know--if you grew up surrounded by few people, most of which you knew well, changing would be difficult.

*Your level of confidence and self-esteem has an imperitive impact on your levels of comfort. If you have low self-esteem, you may feel as if you are "less," than those around you. This translates to low confidence, which of course makes it more difficult to carry yourself with composure.

*Some people are simply naturally extroverted/introverted than others. This *can* be changed, but you don't really need to attempt to alter it--it is something about you to be proud of; neither trait is "bad." That being said, if you are extremely introverted, you may want to try and change it a bit, simply for the sake of your own comfort when out and about.

*Certain hobbies will affect your performance when around others. If you like things often done alone, such as reading, writing, or art, you may be less comfortable around others than if you are more drawn toward things such as team sports, work in offices, etc.

*I'm not completely certain; it may be genetic. Of course, your parents, or whoever raised you, play a large factor, as does virtually anyone you look up to. As a child, you observe their actions and behavior--that is how you learn to live. If they withdraw from the presence of others, you will, too. Therefore, you may quickly become uncomfortable, as you are not used to it.

Answer 5

Some, allow themselves to be intimidated by others,for various reasons..the base problem almost universally,being rooted in the emotion of fear.

Know what you believe,know why you believe it, then walk in confidence and meekness(power under control)

Answer 6

a person get overwhelmed by other people when one lack in trait which other possess and find that trait as tool to attract other.

Answer 7

We all have people we are comfortable in our own skin with and then others that drive us Bonkers...Its normal...Not to worry Friend...Find more people you can be "YOU" around than those that drive ya nutz and youre on your way to be just fine....

Answer 8

Probably due to upbringing and the environment in which they grew up.

Answer 9

I am not sure what you mean by overwhelmed.

Maybe you take things too personally. I do that sometimes too.

If only we could let things just roll off our back.

Answer 10

this by nature all people not same