Sturmer says: “Sometimes we overshare as a way of building connections with other people. Over the festive season, we might feel a sense of awkwardness around relatives who we don’t see very often. There’s a sense that we should feel close to them, but actually, we are more like strangers.

“So when we overshare, it’s a way of inviting each other into our lives and attempting to build connection, and stave off a perceived risk that others might dislike or reject us. The risk, however, is that it can make others feel uncomfortable.”

And then there’s the oversharing that we do subconsciously because there’s something we desperately want to get off our chests regardless of what anybody in the family thinks.

“Maybe we’re feeling under pressure to hide a part of ourselves away,” Sturmer suggests, “and this pressure can become overwhelming, leading us to blurt things out. This could leave us feeling really uncomfortable or embarrassed at the time, but afterwards, we may look back on it and feel relieved.”

So how can we deal with the fallout of saying more than we’d bargained for?

Sturmer says that, if you know for a fact that you’ve said a bit too much, let’s say because somebody around the dinner table has hinted at that, there’s unfortunately no one way to make it better. You’ve just got to ‘read the room’.

She adds: “Maybe it merits an apology or discussion. Maybe it’s worth showing them how you’re really feeling, so that they can support you. Or maybe the family dynamic leaves you feeling that it’s best to ignore it or sweep it under the carpet. You might decide that the best way to cope is to do whatever feels necessary for you to survive the festive season and leave with your self-esteem intact.

“But once the festivities are over, it’s worth reflecting on what’s happened. Perhaps you’ve learned something important about relationship dynamics and how you feel about yourself when you’re around your family. And these might be things that you’d like to explore or change this year.”

Always oversharing over Christmas dinner? Here’s why and how to handle it