Overpraised as a Child? Psychologists Say You Likely Have These 16 Traits
While praise and encouragement are essential for building a child’s confidence, overpraising can lead to unintended consequences. Psychologists suggest that children who receive excessive praise often develop certain traits as adults that can impact their relationships, self-esteem, and ability to cope with challenges.
Overpraising can create unrealistic expectations and result in adults who struggle with validation, criticism, and a need for constant approval. If you were overpraised as a child, you might recognize some of these 16 traits psychologists say are common in adults who were excessively praised during their formative years.
Difficulty Handling Criticism
Adults who were overpraised as children often struggle to handle criticism. They may become defensive or emotionally distressed when faced with even constructive feedback.
This stems from a lack of experience with criticism during their formative years.
Overreliance on External Validation
Overpraised children often grow into adults who need constant external validation to feel good about themselves. They may depend on praise from others to maintain self-esteem, making them vulnerable to insecurity when it’s absent.
This reliance can hinder their ability to develop internal confidence.
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Fear of Failure
Being overly praised for achievements can lead to a fear of failure in adulthood. These individuals may avoid taking risks or trying new things for fear of not living up to the high standards set during childhood.
This fear limits personal growth and new experiences.
Perfectionism
Adults who were overpraised often develop perfectionistic tendencies, feeling the need to excel in everything they do. They may set impossibly high standards for themselves, leading to chronic stress and frustration when they fall short.
Perfectionism often masks deeper insecurities tied to their self-worth.
Difficulty Accepting Constructive Feedback
Because they received so much praise growing up, these adults may struggle to accept feedback that isn’t purely positive. They may interpret constructive criticism as a personal attack, making it difficult for them to learn and grow from their mistakes.
This sensitivity can create barriers in personal and professional relationships.
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Lack of Resilience
Overpraised children often don’t learn how to cope with setbacks, leading to a lack of resilience in adulthood. They may struggle to bounce back from challenges, as they’re not used to dealing with failure or adversity.
This can result in frustration and feelings of helplessness when things don’t go as planned.
Entitlement
Adults who were overpraised may develop a sense of entitlement, expecting constant recognition and rewards for their efforts. They may feel that they deserve special treatment, which can create friction in work and social environments.
This trait stems from the excessive admiration they received as children.
Struggles with Independence
Overpraised individuals may struggle with self-sufficiency, relying on others for reassurance and guidance. They often seek approval before making decisions, fearing that acting independently will lead to mistakes.
This dependence hinders their ability to trust their own judgment.
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A Need for Constant Reassurance
These adults often crave continuous affirmation that they are doing well, whether in relationships, work, or personal achievements. Without frequent positive feedback, they may doubt their abilities and feel insecure.
This need for reassurance can become exhausting for those around them.
Avoidance of Challenges
Because overpraised individuals are used to excelling easily, they may avoid situations that require hard work or present significant challenges. They fear failure and tend to stick to what they know they can do well, limiting their personal and professional growth.
This avoidance can lead to a stagnant and unfulfilling life.
Difficulty with Teamwork
Adults who were excessively praised may have difficulty working collaboratively, as they’re used to being singled out for praise. They may struggle to share credit with others or accept that they’re not always the best in group settings.
This can lead to tension in team environments.
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High Levels of Anxiety
Excessive praise can lead to anxiety in adulthood, especially around performance and expectations. These individuals may constantly worry about whether they’re meeting the high standards set for them during childhood.
Anxiety can manifest in both personal and professional settings, affecting overall well-being.
Fragile Self-Esteem
While overpraised adults may appear confident, their self-esteem is often fragile and dependent on external factors. They may struggle with self-worth when they don’t receive the validation they’re accustomed to.
This vulnerability can make it difficult to maintain a stable sense of self-esteem.
Impatience with Others
Overpraised individuals may become impatient or frustrated when others don’t meet their expectations or perform as well as they do. This impatience often stems from the high praise they received as children, which makes it difficult for them to tolerate different levels of performance.
This can strain personal and professional relationships.
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Difficulty Accepting Mediocrity
Adults who were overpraised often have an aversion to mediocrity, believing that everything they do should be exceptional. They may have unrealistic expectations of themselves and others, leading to dissatisfaction when things don’t meet their high standards.
This pursuit of excellence can prevent them from appreciating small successes.
Difficulty Finding Contentment
Due to the high praise and expectations they experienced as children, overpraised adults may struggle to find contentment in everyday life. They may constantly seek out bigger and better achievements, never feeling satisfied with where they are.
This perpetual striving can lead to burnout and unhappiness.
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