People who grew up with high-strung parents usually develop these 7 behaviors later in life, according to psychology

Growing up with high-strung parents can leave a lasting impact, shaping how you manage stress, relationships, and emotions as an adult.

These parents’ intense nature often instills patterns of behavior that are both a reflection of your upbringing and a response to it.

According to psychology, here are seven behaviors commonly developed by people raised by high-strung parents—and how recognizing them can help you break free from their influence:

1) Overthinking

People raised by high-strung parents often develop a tendency to overanalyze situations—a behavior rooted in the need to anticipate and prepare for all possible outcomes.

This coping mechanism frequently emerges from navigating unpredictable or volatile childhood environments.

Psychologists suggest that overthinking serves as an attempt to regain control in uncertain circumstances, keeping individuals in a state of high alert to foresee potential crises.

While this strategy may have been vital during childhood, it often leads to anxiety and stress in adulthood.

Recognizing this pattern is a crucial step toward breaking the cycle and understanding its origins allows for the development of healthier ways to manage uncertainty.

This journey isn’t about placing blame on parents but about fostering self-awareness and working toward personal growth.

2) Perfectionism

I’m no stranger to the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Growing up, I was often surrounded by high expectations and a constant pressure to perform.

My parents, though well-meaning, were high-strung and placed a lot of emphasis on achievements.

As a result, I found myself striving for perfection in everything I did—be it academics, hobbies, or even my personal relationships.

Psychology explains that this is a common behavior in individuals raised by highly-strung parents; we develop an innate need to be flawless, thinking it’s the only way to gain approval or avoid criticism.

But the truth is, perfection is an illusion—it took me years to understand this and to start embracing my imperfections.

It’s not an easy journey, but learning to be kinder to ourselves and accepting that it’s okay to make mistakes can lead to healthier self-esteem and overall wellbeing.

3) Difficulty in expressing emotions

Many who grew up with high-strung parents often struggle to express our emotions effectively.

This behavior can be traced back to childhood experiences where expressing feelings might have led to unpredictable reactions from our parents.

Neuroscience suggests that brains often develop coping mechanisms in response to emotional stress; one such mechanism is suppressing emotions, which can lead people to appear detached or unemotional in our adult lives.

The silver lining here is that emotional intelligence can be learned and developed over time.

It’s never too late to learn how to express emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

4) Constant need for validation

A childhood spent under high-strung parents often leads to a deep-seated need for validation in their offspring.

This stems from a desire to constantly prove oneself, as approval may have been hard to come by during formative years.

Typically, these individuals seek external validation for their actions and decisions.

Whether it’s about their career choices, relationships, or everyday decisions, they might feel an overwhelming need to have others approve or support them.

It’s important to recognize, however, that this is a learned behavior.

With time and effort, one can cultivate self-confidence and learn to trust their own judgment—a stepping stone towards developing a healthier self-esteem.

5) Fear of confrontation

As a child, heated debates or arguments in the household were something I dreaded.

The high-strung nature of my parents meant that confrontations could escalate quickly, leaving lasting impressions.

This led to a fear of confrontations, a behavior I carried into my adulthood.

I would often avoid disagreements or go to great lengths to prevent potential conflicts, even at the cost of my own needs and feelings.

Psychology suggests that this fear stems from associating confrontations with negative experiences.

That being said, it’s crucial to remember that healthy disagreements are a part of life and can lead to growth and better understanding in relationships.

6) High levels of anxiety

Most people who were raised by high-strung parents often grapple with heightened levels of anxiety.

The constant state of tension and unpredictability in the household can lead to chronic stress, which can manifest as anxiety in later years.

This anxiety might present itself in various forms—social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, or even panic attacks—and is a reflection of the internalized fear and apprehension that was a part of their childhood environment.

The good news is that awareness and understanding are the first steps towards improvement.

Various strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes can help manage and reduce these anxiety levels over time.

7) Resilience

Despite the challenges and behaviors we’ve discussed, it’s important to acknowledge an often overlooked trait that many who grow up with high-strung parents develop—resilience.

Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity.

Sure, it might have been born out of necessity, but it’s a powerful trait that can prove beneficial in overcoming life’s hurdles.

Remember, resilience is about bouncing back stronger, learning from our experiences, and growing as individuals.

Final thoughts: The power of understanding

Human behavior often stems from our formative experiences, including the influence of high-strung parents on adult behaviors.

Carl Jung, a renowned Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, once said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

Recognizing these behaviors is more than spotting patterns—it’s about empowering yourself to change and shape your destiny.

Whether you see these traits in yourself or others, remember that change is within reach.

Understanding opens the door to redefining behaviors and fostering healthier relationships.

It’s a journey of self-discovery and growth, leading to profound transformation—and it all begins with understanding!