You're anxious.

Me too. I did it in high school already when writing an essay. Instead of moving on to the next idea, I wrote the same idea a little bit differently. They tried to make a writer out of me and that was the outcome. I cannot write and dislike it so much.
As I have got older, I started to repeat things and stories that interest me. I feel like nobody is listening.
Zero special needs, I promise. Just very small vocabulary. I grew up on a farm with nobody to talk to.

My husband not only repeats himself constantly, but when I am speaking he repeats back to me what I am saying as I go (like talking over me at a slight delay). It drives me F*%(ing nuts and I have pointed it out to him. He claims anxiety. I don't care what it is, but I need it to stop. Have you considered just being quiet and nodding?

Anonymous wrote:I paraphrase myself, usually as a concluding phrase at the end of an explanation. My teens get annoyed. I wonder if it annoys anyone else.

And yes, I have anxiety. Sigh. Another thing to worry about.

I paraphrase myself, usually as a concluding phrase at the end of an explanation. My teens get annoyed. I wonder if it annoys anyone else.

My anxious mother repeats. I remind her, "I understand. You don't have to say it again." And then she does, it's a compulsion for her. She says she does it to help herself remember, like a verbal to-do list.

It's pretty annoying even though it's been a lifetime of it.

Repeating has been shown in people who are autistic and those entering dementia among probably a whole list of of other "disorders." Either one run in your family?

Anonymous wrote:Do you have anxiety or OCD? My husband, his father, and now my DC do exactly this.

This. Talk to your doc, this is a classic sign.

Anonymous wrote:I notice my worst habit may be that in conversation, I repeat things. At work, at home, to everyone.

How do I stop this habit?

It’s not that I don’t know that I’ve said it before but it’s that I end up phrasing it differently at the second point of the conversation.

Person 1: Kristine doesn’t like cats. She doesn’t. She cried and hid in the basement when she saw Fluffy.
Me: I know! Ever since we were in elementary school, it was in 5th grade, she has never liked cats. I’m not sure why she lied to you.
Person 1: Me either!
Me: Ever since 5th grade, she has not liked cats.


Me: DH please stop by Target after you pickup Joanne from soccer.
DH: Ok
Me: Once you are at Target, get the Kenyan coffee. Don’t forget to get that after Joanne is picked up.
DH: You are repeating yourself, I won’t forget.


It just happens over and over to me. How can I stop repeating myself? It’s not that I am not getting their response. Or maybe am I rejecting their response subconsciously?

Thanks for not using 'Larla'!

I do this and it drives my family nuts. I've heard it called circular versus linear talking. It can be related to communication in the culture you grew up in

Anonymous wrote:My mother did this and now I'm noticing I'm doing it too. Its almost like I can't stop myself. Sorry I can't be more help OP - but you are not alone.

oops "too"

My mother did this and now I'm noticing I'm doing it to. Its almost like I can't stop myself. Sorry I can't be more help OP - but you are not alone.

Interesting. My MIL does this and it’s totally annoying, but linked to her anxiety.

Do you have anxiety or OCD? My husband, his father, and now my DC do exactly this.

I notice my worst habit may be that in conversation, I repeat things. At work, at home, to everyone.

How do I stop this habit?

It’s not that I don’t know that I’ve said it before but it’s that I end up phrasing it differently at the second point of the conversation.

Person 1: Kristine doesn’t like cats. She doesn’t. She cried and hid in the basement when she saw Fluffy.
Me: I know! Ever since we were in elementary school, it was in 5th grade, she has never liked cats. I’m not sure why she lied to you.
Person 1: Me either!
Me: Ever since 5th grade, she has not liked cats.


Me: DH please stop by Target after you pickup Joanne from soccer.
DH: Ok
Me: Once you are at Target, get the Kenyan coffee. Don’t forget to get that after Joanne is picked up.
DH: You are repeating yourself, I won’t forget.


It just happens over and over to me. How can I stop repeating myself? It’s not that I am not getting their response. Or maybe am I rejecting their response subconsciously?