Yes, exactly, self editing shuts us down - that's a great way of putting it. And yes, I agree - it's often a survival mechanism, or we're mimicing judgemental people around us. My mum was SOOO not judgemental - very open minded and accepting unless people consistantly behave deplorably (like politicians - then see her go!) so I was raised not to be, which is why I was kinda sidelined by the judgements upon me as a kid, and didn't know how to do it back, which would have protected me.