Wellness Wednesday: Differences Between External and Internal Processing

Wellness Wednesday: Differences Between External and Internal Processing

There are two different methods for processing our emotions, and both are valid.

For this week’s Wellness Wednesday, Lauren English, a licensed professional counselor and business development representative with Pinnacle Pointe Hospital, describes the difference between external and internal processing.

External processors like to talks things out. Sometimes, external processors struggle to communicate with internal processors. External processors have to remind themselves that some people have trouble verbalizing their feelings. Someone not telling you what they feel isn’t them hiding something from you, and forcing people to share with you when they’re not ready can cause more harm than good.

Internal processors don’t verbalize their feelings, but it’s still important for them to find healthy ways to express their emotions. This can include methods like music or writing or art. It’s important for an internal processor to let an external processor know that you’re not mad at them: you just need a moment to work through your emotions.