Somebody who gives and gives and gives is usualy hiding behind their own pain. They get to talk about positive things instead of their own personal pain and the get lots of gratitude and positive feedback. It is self imposed medication via behavior.

When I was most unhappy in my life with my marriage falling apart, my son abusing drugs and my weight escalating, I dove head first into volunteer work with my. On profit and PTA and anhing anybody needed me for. Then my work crashed around me. First my youngest needed brain surgery then my H mother was killed in the earthquake in. Haiti, then my sons drug issues got worse and eventually finding out about my H A and oc.

I continued to do volunteer work for a while through all of that (still do), because it kept me occupied. Less time to wallow. Now I volunteer when I can but not to excess.

I see it a lot in men. They dive into work, hobbies, exercise, or drugs and alcohol. He just hides. Does what he is told and tries to keep the peace.