Identifying the condition is the first step towards tackling someone emotionally immature. Then, you have to approach this person with patience and perseverance. Remember, the traits mentioned above can make interactions with emotionally immature people difficult and lead to awkward public situations. In this article, we have listed 10 signs that point towards an emotionally immature adult and how you can deal with them. Continue reading to know more.
What Is Emotional Immaturity?
According to the Australian Institute of Family Counselling (AIFC), “Those who are emotionally immature are unable to handle their unpleasant emotions, act and react to those feelings, and can’t make sense of situations or defend themselves in an appropriate way.” (1) The American Psychological Association defines emotional immaturity as “a tendency to express emotions without restraint or disproportionately to the situation.” (2) The AIFC further elaborates why some people are emotionally immature, which can provide clues to identify immature behavior. Like most psychological disorders, the cause of emotional immaturity is rooted in the person’s childhood. Discouragement to express sadness or anger, lack of guidance to deal with conflicts, stresses of growing up, and inability to seek help and support are a few reasons for ignorance, defensiveness, and impulsivity (1). Emotional immaturity is a complex behavioral and psychological issue faced by many. However, knowing the telltale signs can be an advantage while dealing with an emotionally immature person. Emotional immaturity can affect a person’s relationships in the long run. Find out how in the next section.
How Does Emotional Immaturity Affect Relationships?
Emotional maturity is undoubtedly one of the pillars of a healthy relationship, be it romantic or otherwise. The ability to process and handle emotions and take responsibility for them under any circumstance can largely determine a relationshop’s quality. An emotionally immature person may not be ready to have a proper conversation in times of conflict, leading to communication issues, exhaustion, frustration, and loneliness in the relationship. The lack of expression and inability to trust and reassure their partner may slowly deteriorate the relationship over time. If you want to know whether you are dealing with an emotionally immature person, check out the next section for signs to look out for.
10 Signs Of An Emotionally Immature Person
A blogger shared that she behaved in an emotionally immature way because of her drug addiction. She neglected the needs of her daughter and abused her because she was interfering with her activities, “I’ve been angry toward her because I wanted to watch a movie and drink and she was trying to get my attention (i).” An emotionally immature person thinks that they are the most important person, which prevents them from understanding that both parties have equal importance in a relationship. If you identify more than one trait that your husband, wife, parent, or colleague exhibits, you know what’s the source of your frustration and dissatisfaction . But there are ways to deal with an emotionally immature person. Scroll down to find out.
How To Deal With An Emotionally Immature Person
Draw Healthy Boundaries
Dealing with an emotionally immature person can eventually become toxic, whether your parent, spouse, friend or colleague. Therefore, it is best to draw healthy boundaries. Stop making excuses for them – defending them or giving in to a heated argument. Give them their due attention and politely take your leave while working, watching a show, or just enjoying your “me time”.
Show Your Support
The last thing you want to do while dealing with an emotionally immature person is withdrawing your support. It will only aggravate their emotional behavior. Listen to them when they act impulsively and lay out possible solutions. Show them your support by appreciating their true talents and lend a helping hand even if they don’t ask for it.
Have A Heart-To-Heart Conversation
If you are in a relationship with an emotionally immature boyfriend or girlfriend, it is important to sit down with them and have a heart-to-heart conversation. Tell them that you do not hold any grudges and are there to make peace. But you are also disturbed by their behavior, and it costs your happiness. Two things may happen — it may help you gradually build emotional intimacy if the conversations are fruitful, or, your partner may not care at all. Either way, you will understand what their intentions are and how to move forward. Is emotional immaturity a mental illness? Check out the infographic below for some tips to regulate your emotions and improve your emotional intelligence.Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team No. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders doesn’t list emotional immaturity as a mental disorder. However, in some extreme cases, its characteristics may align with some symptoms of narcissistic, anti-social, borderline, and histrionic personality disorders. How do emotionally immature men love? An emotionally immature man may deflect deep conversations and blame. As a result, they cannot form an intimate, emotional connection as they are not in touch with their emotions. Can therapy help someone overcome emotional immaturity? Yes, therapy can help identify the underlying reasons for the issue, their behavioral patterns, and help the person cope with and manage their emotions. How to communicate with someone who is emotionally immature? It can be challenging to communicate with an emotionally immature person. They may not be able to respond positively or control their emotions during a conversation. You have to be calm, composed, and well aware of the possible response from them. Try to understand their feelings and be patient and compassionate. Are there any negative consequences of dealing with an emotionally immature person? Yes, there can be negative consequences for the emotionally immature person and the others around. They can be immensely unpredictable and cause stress to the people around them. Being in a relationship with such people can cause strained relationships and have a negative impact on the mental health of the partner. Can emotional immaturity be a result of past experiences or trauma? Yes, trauma in the past could be caused by altered emotional development. Traumatic episodes, neglect, or physical or emotional abuse can manifest as difficulty in emotional regulation and fear of attachment in adulthood. They may also respond aberrantly to stressors or triggers. Can emotional immaturity be a cause of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety? Yes, adverse mental situations can contribute to emotional immaturity, but they are not the sole reasons for the condition. Depression or anxiety can trigger an unregulated flow of emotions which can lead to isolation or unhealthy behavior. Are you unable to handle your emotions most of the time? Click on the video and learn 8 things emotionally immature people do and how you can avoid them.
