Susan reached her limit. Every time she saw David, a senior executive at their workplace, he would start complaining about his job, the country, and his personal life. Susan felt frustrated because every time she tried to help or suggest a positive perspective, David would go back to being negative. David’s constant complaining wasn’t just harmful to others but also to himself.
The Harm of Constant Complaining
Research shows that continuous whining, like David’s, can have physical effects on the brain. The constant expression of negative feelings can rewire neurotransmitters, promoting negative thinking patterns and leaving little room for positive emotions like gratitude and well-being. This continuous loop of negativity can even harm the part of the brain responsible for problem-solving and thinking. Complainers become addicted to negativity, always drawn to the drama that comes with complaining.
Chronic complainers tend to think in extremes, making compromise difficult. They focus more on problems than solutions, making collaboration challenging. Their negativity makes decision-making tough. Moreover, chronic complainers affect those around them, projecting their negative feelings onto others in a process called “projective identification.” Others end up feeling burdened and tired.
This negative transfer might be part of our evolutionary makeup. Some scientists believe that our brains have mirror neurons that automatically reflect the attitudes of those around us, helping us in times of danger but also making us prone to adopting negativity.
Why Do People Complain?
Complaining isn’t always bad. It can be a way to vent and express negative feelings, reducing stress. People may also complain to seek approval, like David seeking Susan’s acknowledgment of his challenges and to build an emotional connection.
However, complaints can also be a way to gain power or influence attitudes, especially in organizations. David might have been trying to persuade Susan about concerns within their company.
Chronic complaining often starts in childhood to gain attention or build rapport. These habits become ingrained, forming part of a person’s personality.
How to Deal with a Constant Complainer
Helping chronic complainers can be challenging. They often remain focused on the negative aspects of their situation. Setting clear boundaries is crucial. Susan should tell David that she’s willing to listen but not to engage in endless complaining. She needs to remind him that while everyone complains sometimes, his constant whining is disturbing the team. Susan should stress that complaining can be effective when it leads to positive change, but his continuous negativity isn’t productive.
Susan should encourage David to change his perspective and engage in purposeful complaining, focusing on solutions rather than just venting. She could suggest adopting a grateful mindset, redirecting his focus from complaining to listing his blessings when he feels the urge to complain.
Changing behavior takes time, and David might benefit from working with a coach or therapist to explore why he tends to be a victim, why he craves affirmation, and how to find other solutions when the urge to complain arises.
While chronic complainers may seem harmless, they need to control their behavior for the sake of their coworkers and themselves. People will eventually get tired of the negativity, and David needs to understand that constant complaining won’t always get sympathy; it might lead to being replaced.
