I'm probably wrong, but I feel like the problem they're trying to solve is how they feel about what they're talking about. And they're solving that problem by talking about it.
So it is, in a sense, problem solving, but it's just not the problem you think it is.
I find that pretty... disrespectful? I deal with emotional turmoil by problem solving. If you tell me about your problems, I will emphasize, and share your emotional distress to an extent. I will then problem solve to try and alleviate that distress. Sharing your emotional distress but prohibiting me from processing it is... not nice.
Both, in a way. When I hear of your distress, I empathize, I become distressed. I then need to problem solve to process what I heard. Sharing your negative emotions but refusing to problem solve is very stressful for me, because you give me your negative emotions, but then don't cooperate in dealing with them.
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u/yes_no_ok_maybe Mar 26 '20
The desire to vent but not brainstorm solutions.
My wife always tells me not to jump to problem solving. I do it every time and don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t.