Why INFJs Feel So Deeply (And What It Might Mean For Their Mental Health)

If you’re an INFJ, you are likely thoughtful and imaginative, guided by an inner vision and personal values. Known as advocates, these are people with Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging personality traits, as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. People with this personality type are frequently affiliated with an insightful, sensitive nature. All the MBTI personality types have specific strengths and weaknesses, and in some ways, these can relate to our emotions, the way we interact with each other, and the way we tend to think. You might be wondering, though, whether some personality types are more likely to face mental health conditions like depression, for example. 

What Is The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality test. It is based on Carl Jung’s 16 psychological types. Psychologists and educators frequently depend on the MBTI to help them determine the personalities of their clients and students. It’s often used in career counseling offices and similar settings. However, you can also take the test online for around $50. There are also some adaptations of the test that you can find for free. Many people who take the test feel that it’s a useful reference for identifying their unique personalities. Even if you don’t use it for a purpose like school or your career, it can be enjoyable to compare results with friends.

Myers-Briggs results are based on four scales:

• People and things (Extraversion or “E”) or ideas and information (Introversion or “I”)
• Facts and reality (Sensing or “S”) or possibilities and potential (Intuition or “N”)
• Logic and truth (Thinking or “T”) or values and relationships (Feeling or “F”)
• Structure and control (Judgment or “J”) or versatility and adaptability (Perception or “P”)

For each pair, people usually favor one of these markers over the other. For example, if someone prefers to be alone with their thoughts, they may score an “I” for introversion. On the other hand,  someone who thrives on socializing frequently and gets energy from other people may score an “E” for extroversion. Similarly, someone who tends to approach decision-making opportunities with logic may score a “T” for thinking, whereas someone who often makes choices and processes thoughts with their emotions in mind may be more likely to score an “F” for feeling.

Personality Traits Vs. Depression

It could be true that some personality traits are affiliated with a higher likelihood of depression. Still, some indicators that may look like personality traits could actually be symptoms, or vice versa. For example, someone who appears to be an introvert may be withdrawing from other people due to a mental health condition like social anxiety disorder or depression. Alternatively, an introvert may spend a solid amount of time alone, but it may not be due to a depressive disorder. Qualified healthcare providers like primary care physicians and psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions based on the full criteria for the condition. 

INFJ Traits And Mental Health

About 2.3% of the population gets the INFJ result on the MBTI, and each individual who receives this score could have unique characteristics. That said, you might wonder what traits are common among INFJs. The INFJ personality type is often associated with traits such as:

• Perfectionism
• Sensitivity
• Creativity
• Empathy
• Thoughtfulness

INFJs are often seen as deep thinkers, perhaps due to their introspective nature, compassion, and perceptiveness. Some of their common traits such as perfectionism and emotional suppression may have the potential to impact mental health.

Regardless of your MBTI type, if you do have perfectionist tendencies or difficulty sharing your feelings with others, it may be possible to get to a place where these concerns impact your life less.

Use Your Strengths

The MBTI can give us insights into our strengths as well as possible challenges or weaknesses. INFJs often build close friendships with a select group of people, and within those friendships, they can be excellent listeners who know how to make people feel both special and heard. A common misconception is that introverts don’t have social relationships. To the contrary, they do enjoy socializing, but they may need more time alone compared to their extroverted peers.

There are times when INFJs may need to implement additional self-care techniques, whether this surrounds social situations or other parts of life like work, for instance. At times, traits like emotional sensitivity — which is not necessarily a negative attribute and is often a strength — may lead to a need for communication. And there are times when an INFJ may need to take a break from social interactions, particularly in situations where they face high levels of stress or feel overwhelmed. It may be important to an INFJ to maintain schedules, routines, and surroundings that are supportive to them.

What Can I Do If I Think I Have Depression?

Whether you are an INFJ or not, you might consider making an appointment with a healthcare professional such as your primary care physician or mental health care provider if you believe that you may have depression. Depressive disorders have the potential to impact anyone, and if you’re living with depression, it could be helpful to know that it is never your fault.  Therapy is a leading treatment for depression and a wide variety of other mental health conditions. Although a diagnosis can be helpful, note that you do not need one to start therapy.

The symptoms of depression can sometimes present a barrier to treatment. For example, feelings of intense fatigue and a lack of motivation are common symptoms that can make it difficult to keep an appointment with a therapist, especially in person. Online therapy might be more suitable since it can be accessed from the comfort of home. You may also find it more convenient since appointments can be made day or night. 

Online therapy has been proven effective by researchers in the field of mental health. One recent study found that this form of counseling was associated with positive outcomes for clients, especially when guided by a professional therapist. 

Takeaway

While some personality traits may make you more prone to mental health challenges, anyone can experience depression. Still, it is possible to overcome the condition with proper treatment. If you need support for depression symptoms or other mental health challenges, reach out to a Regain counselor today.