Psychology explains what it really means when someone constantly interrupts others while they’re speaking

The café was loud enough to swallow half the conversation, but not loud enough to hide the moment it happened. You were halfway through telling your mate about a rough week at work when he jumped in — again. “Oh yeah, that happened to me once, let me tell you—” And just like that, your story vanished. Your thoughts folded back into your chest as his words took over the table. You nodded, sipped your flat white, and quietly wondered: why does he always do that? Is he rude, anxious, clueless… or is something else going on inside his head?

The Hidden Currents Beneath Constant Interruptions

In Australia, we like to see ourselves as pretty laid-back talkers. We banter, we tease, we talk over each other during the footy, and no one takes it too seriously. But there’s a difference between a bit of excited overlap and someone who constantly cuts people off mid-sentence.

Psychologists say that frequent interruption isn’t just about manners; it’s often a window into how a person thinks, feels, and relates to others. It can reveal anxiety, insecurity, ADHD traits, power dynamics, cultural habits, or even a desperate longing to feel heard.

Think about the last time someone interrupted you here in Aus — maybe at a work meeting in Sydney, around a family BBQ in Brisbane, or during a yarn around a campfire in the NT. The irritation you felt wasn’t just about lost words. It was about something deeper: not feeling seen or respected. That sting is exactly why psychologists are so interested in interruptions. They’re tiny moments with surprisingly big emotional weight.

When the Brain Runs Faster Than the Conversation

One of the most common psychological explanations for chronic interrupting is simple: the brain is racing ahead of the conversation. For some people, staying silent long enough for someone else to finish a thought feels almost physically uncomfortable.

People with ADHD, for example, often describe interrupting as a kind of impulse they struggle to control. Their mind may be buzzing with ideas, connections, or responses, and if they wait too long, they worry those thoughts will evaporate. So they jump in. Not to dominate, but to hang on to the thread.

This doesn’t make constant interruption okay, especially for the person being cut off, but it does explain why some interrupters look guilty the second they realise what they’ve done. They aren’t trying to be rude — their self-control and working memory are genuinely under strain.

Anxious people can do this too. If your mind is constantly scanning for the right thing to say, you might pounce on a half-finished sentence just to make sure you contribute “something” before the moment passes. It can look like arrogance from the outside, but inside it often feels like panic: I’d better say this now or I’ll lose my chance.

Power Plays, Status Signals, and Social Territory

Then there’s the darker side of interruption: power. In workplaces across Australia — from corporate boardrooms in Melbourne to construction sites in Perth — interruptions can be a subtle (or not-so-subtle) way of showing dominance.

Research in organisational psychology has repeatedly found that men interrupt women more than the other way round, especially in professional contexts. In these moments, interruption isn’t about enthusiasm or anxiety; it’s a status move. It quietly says, “My words matter more than yours.”

If you’ve ever sat in a meeting trying to make a point while someone with more authority or louder confidence keeps speaking over you, you’ve felt this imbalance in your bones. You might shrink a little in your chair, or stop bothering altogether. This is how chronic interruption can slowly silence certain voices — particularly women, First Nations people, younger team members, or anyone in a minority position — in Australian workplaces and communities.

For some interrupters, this is learned behaviour. Maybe they grew up in a family where whoever shouted the loudest got heard. Maybe they’ve been rewarded at work for “taking charge” in conversations. Over time, they start to believe that dominating the floor is just how strong people communicate.

Culture, Closeness, and the Myth of “One Right Way” to Talk

Here’s where it gets more complicated. Not all interruptions are created equal, and not all cultures read them the same way.

In some communities and families, especially more collectivist or expressive cultures, overlapping talk can actually signal connection. People talk over each other because they’re excited, emotionally invested, or eager to show they’re listening. They anticipate each other’s sentences and finish them, not to steal the spotlight, but to say, “I’m right here with you.”

Even within Australia, conversational style can vary. Some mob yarn in rich, layered ways where stories weave, overlap, and circle back. In big multicultural cities like Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll hear a wild blend of talking rhythms shaped by heritage, language, and upbringing. What sounds like rude interruption to one person might feel like lively, affectionate banter to another.

This is why context matters. Are you at a noisy pub, all talking over each other while watching the cricket? Or sitting face-to-face with a friend who repeatedly slices into your sentences even when you’re sharing something painful or personal? The same behaviour can feel utterly different depending on the moment and the relationship.

What Chronic Interruption Often Reveals Inside a Person

So what might it really mean, psychologically, when someone can’t help cutting in again and again? Often, it’s a blend of several inner forces at once.

Possible Inner Driver	What It Can Look Like	What They May Be Feeling
Anxiety or insecurity	Rushing to speak, correcting small details, jumping in before you finish	“If I don’t say this now, I’ll lose my chance or look stupid.”
ADHD or impulse control issues	Blurting, tangents, difficulty waiting their turn in group chats	“My brain is sprinting; I’m trying to hold onto my thoughts.”
Need for validation	Turning your story into theirs, constant “me too” responses	“I want you to see that I understand, that I matter here.”
Power and control	Cutting off dissent, talking over quieter people, steering every topic	“I need to stay on top; my views should lead.”
Cultural or family style	Lively overlap, finishing each other’s sentences, fast-paced talk	“This is how we show we’re engaged and close.”

For many chronic interrupters, the deeper story is about worth and belonging. They may have grown up in a house where no one really listened unless you fought for airtime. Or perhaps they were constantly ignored, so now they subconsciously grab every available gap in conversation.

Psychology reminds us that behaviour is often a survival skill that’s outlived its original purpose. Someone who interrupts might not be trying to harm you — they might be replaying an old pattern that once kept them seen, safe, or involved.

How It Feels on the Receiving End (And Why It Matters)

Of course, understanding the psychology doesn’t magically erase how it feels when you’re interrupted. Being cut off repeatedly can quietly wear you down. Over time, you might start editing yourself before you speak, choosing shorter sentences, or deciding that what you have to say isn’t that important after all.

In relationships, constant interruption can chip away at trust. If your partner always finishes your sentences, corrects the minor details, or derails your stories, you may stop sharing the vulnerable stuff. Why open up if you’re only going to be overridden?

At work, Australians who are interrupted frequently — especially those already marginalised — can feel sidelined and invisible. That’s not just a bad feeling; it can derail careers. People who appear quieter or less “assertive” in meetings are often overlooked for leadership roles, even if they’ve been interrupted into silence rather than choosing it.

Psychologically, being talked over again and again sends a blunt, repeated message: You don’t count as much as I do. And our nervous systems hear that. Your shoulders tense, your jaw tightens, your voice gets smaller. It’s not about being “too sensitive”; it’s about a basic human need to be heard.

Finding Your Voice: Responding to Chronic Interrupters

So what can you do when someone constantly interrupts you — at the office, at home, or over a schooner at the local?

First, it helps to gently name what’s happening. You don’t have to launch into a TED Talk on conversational ethics. A simple, calm line can work wonders:

• “Hang on, I wasn’t finished yet.”
• “Let me just finish this thought, then I’m keen to hear yours.”
• “Can I come back to what I was saying a second ago?”

In group settings, allies are powerful. If you notice someone else being interrupted — especially a quieter colleague or someone junior — you can step in:

• “I think Sarah was still finishing her point.”
• “Let’s go back to what Jarrod was saying a moment ago.”

These small acts shift the culture of a room. They say, We value full sentences here. We value each other’s voices.

If the interrupter is someone close to you — a partner, a mate, a family member — you might choose a quieter moment to talk about it. Not in the heat of frustration, but later, when you’re both calm. You could try something like:

“I’ve noticed that when we talk, you often jump in before I’ve finished. I know you probably don’t mean anything by it, but it makes me feel like what I’m saying doesn’t really matter. Can we try slowing our chats down a bit?”

The aim isn’t to shame them. It’s to invite them into awareness. Many people genuinely have no idea how often they interrupt — especially if it’s always been normal in their world.

If You’re the One Who Interrupts (More Than You’d Like)

You might be reading this with a small, uncomfortable recognition: Oh. I do this. That’s not a sign you’re a bad person. It’s a sign you’ve just noticed a habit — and habits can be changed.

Psychologists often encourage people who interrupt a lot to start with simple, practical strategies:

• Pause on purpose: When you feel the urge to jump in, count “one, two” silently in your head before speaking.
• Take notes: If you’re worried you’ll forget your point, jot a keyword down instead of blurting it out.
• Reflect before you reply: Start your response by briefly reflecting what the other person said: “So you were saying that…” This forces you to listen long enough to understand.
• Ask more questions: Swap some statements for questions like, “And then what happened?” or “How did that feel?”

If you suspect ADHD or another neurodivergent trait might be part of what’s going on, it can be worth talking to a GP or psychologist here in Australia. Understanding your brain style isn’t about labelling yourself; it’s about finding tools that actually fit.

Most of all, remember that listening is not a passive act. It’s an active, generous choice. When you practice pausing, holding space, and letting others finish, you’re not losing ground. You’re building trust — in your friendships, in your workplace, in your family home.

In a country that prides itself on mateship and fairness, perhaps one of the quietest ways we can live those values is simply this: let each other finish our sentences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is interrupting always a bad thing?

No. Some interruption is natural and even positive, especially in lively, close relationships where people share excitement and overlap in conversation. It becomes a problem when one person consistently talks over others, shuts them down, or leaves them feeling unheard or disrespected.

Could constant interrupting be a sign of ADHD?

Yes, it can be. People with ADHD often struggle with impulse control and working memory, which can make it hard to hold back a thought. That said, not everyone who interrupts has ADHD, and not everyone with ADHD interrupts. If you’re concerned, speaking with a GP or psychologist in Australia is a good next step.

How can I tell if someone is interrupting out of rudeness or enthusiasm?

Look at the pattern and the impact. Do they only interrupt when they’re excited, but quickly apologise and give the floor back? Or do they regularly override others, especially in serious or emotional conversations, and show little awareness or concern? Enthusiastic overlap usually feels connecting; chronic, one-sided interruption feels silencing.

What should I do if my boss constantly interrupts me in meetings?

Where it feels safe, you could gently assert yourself in the moment: “I’d like to finish this point, then I’m keen to hear your thoughts.” You might also seek allies who can back you up (“I think Priya was still finishing her idea”). If the pattern continues and affects your role, consider raising it privately with your boss or a trusted HR contact, framing it around your ability to contribute effectively.

How can I become a better listener if I’m the one interrupting?

Practice slowing down. Count a brief pause before speaking, write down your thoughts instead of blurting them, and focus on summarising what the other person said before you respond. You can even tell close friends or family, “I’m working on interrupting less — feel free to gently call me out when I do it.” Over time, these small shifts can completely change the feel of your conversations.