Do INFPs have anxiety?

INFPs do tend to experience anxious sensations and are equally likely to experience anxiety in their lives like other individuals.

Anxiety is not something that they are unable to deal with. In some cases, it helps them to grow and become stronger through their experiences and challenges.

INFPs who are dealing with anxious feelings might seem to be on edge especially when they have external stress which makes the situation overwhelming.

INFPs are characterized as people with deep emotions and having to deal with something serious might be very hard for them at times.

INFPs have remarkably active inner minds and when they are forced into something very challenging, they might experience a sense of anxiety.

Sometimes INFPs can experience anxiety due to the environment they are in. when INFPs are around people who look at them as abnormal or don’t understand their complex emotions it can trigger anxious emotions in them.

Some INFPs also deal with social anxiety. Those who experience social anxiety want to withdraw themselves from others to avoid any awkward situations and self-doubt themselves.

How can INFPs deal with anxiety?

For INFPs who deal with anxiety, it can be a long and difficult process for them to cope with it.

When the anxious feelings are situation based INFPs often need some time doing something that makes them calm such as spending time with a close one.

They are required to regain the trust within themselves and focus on their strengths instead of overthinking about factors that cause a sense of extreme pressure.

INFPs need to be in an environment that is accepting of their personality. They require people who accept them the way they are rather than expecting them to bring about changes in their behavior.

INFPs need a lot of patience and understanding when they experience feelings of anxiousness. sometimes spending time alone and reflecting on their thoughts can help them cope better with anxiety this can also include other distractions like reading their favorite book or spending time in the open air.

INFPs need to actively break free from their obsessive negative thoughts. These negative thoughts lead to negative emotions further leading to a sense of anxiety. we can push away these negative thoughts and emotions by focusing on the positives in life.

Who are INFPs?

INFPs are someone who possesses the Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits. These rare personality types tend to be quiet, open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do.

What are the characteristics of INFPs?

Some key characteristics of INFPs are:

They are shy, quiet and reserved. They feel drained in social situations and choose to interact with certain groups of people. They enjoy being alone however this cannot be a synonym for their shyness. They believe in gaining energy from spending time alone.
They strongly depend on their intuitions and are focused on the big picture rather than the small details. They can be very fastidious around things they truly care about or ventures they are working on but tend to disregard ordinary or boring points of interest.
They place a high value on personal feelings and their decisions are influenced by these feelings rather than by objective details.
They like keeping their options open while making decisions. They prefer taking their time while making decisions due to the uncertainty of situational factors. When they can make their decisions, they are usually based on personal values rather than logic.

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety experienced by INFPs?

Anxiety is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as:

Sweating
Difficulty in breathing
Shortness of breath
Sense of choking
Complaints of chest pain
Shaking or trembling
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Fear of losing control over oneself and their environment
Fear of impending doom
Hot or cold flashes
Tingling or numbness
Increased heart rate

These symptoms vary in severity from person to person. However, it is noted that many people experience anxiety attacks that are not significantly displayed.

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What are some ways to manage anxiety by INFPs?

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over once anxiety concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

What are the therapy options for anxiety experienced by INFPs?

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief.

Online therapy

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium.

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation.

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety that aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

What are the main triggers of anxiety for some INFPs?

Even though anxiety is seen among many individuals, certain triggers make some people more vulnerable to anxiety than others. Some contributing triggers of anxiety are:

Health diagnosis

An individual is more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety in the presence of chronic or serious health diagnoses such as cancer or diabetes.

Triggers associated with health diagnosis tend to have a strong impact on an individual because of the strong negative thoughts and emotions that are associated with it.

Medications

It is believed that many over-the-counter medications may contribute to the symptoms of anxiety in some individuals. This is certainly because of the ingredients in this medication that makes an individual feel uneasy.

Use of caffeine

Even though it is said that the use of caffeine helps to activate an individual’s system, studies show that over usage of caffeine might lead to adverse effects such as anxiety or even depression.

Apart from the overuse withdrawal from caffeine may also lead to anxiety. hence it is suggested that individuals take conscious amounts of caffeine per day.

Skipping meals

Apart from environmental factors ones eating habits might also contribute to an individual’s anxiety directly or indirectly. When an individual fails to maintain their food timings it might lead to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels.

These fluctuations might make an individual feel jittery which in turn triggers anxiety.

Hence maintaining a proper schedule and diet is important for various reasons not just for energy but also for maintaining one’s mood.

Negative thinking

An individual’s behavior and emotions are certainly controlled by one’s thoughts. When an individual is upset and dwells on negative thoughts it further leads to discomforting emotions and detrimental thoughts causing a vicious cycle.

These negative thoughts are then projected to various areas of an individual’s life creating an overall sense of lack of control over oneself and the environment which triggers anxiety.

Financial concerns

Many individuals experience anxiety due to their financial standing. Learning to manage financial triggers requires seeking professional help such as from a financial advisor.

Stress

Daily stressors as simple as traffic jams to major ones such as strained relationships might contribute to one’s intensity and frequency of anxiety and anxiety attacks.

However long term or chronic stress leads to long term anxiety and a build-up of negative taught processes and emotions that impact an individual’s mental health

Conflict

individuals might also experience anxiety as a result of interpersonal or intrapersonal conflicts.

The inability to resolve these conflicts might lead to the buildup of negative thoughts, emotions that overwhelm an individual and trigger anxiety.

Personal triggers

Personal triggers can be as minor as a smell, place, or even a song that reminds an individual of negative and discomforting experiences. Personal triggers can remind an individual of an unconscious or conscious dramatic event in an individual’s life that triggers their anxiety.

If you can identify and understand your triggers, you can work to avoid them and learn to cope with them. You can learn specific coping strategies to handle the triggers when they happen.

Conclusion

INFPs are equally vulnerable to anxiety than any other personality. They do have their own set of challenges while dealing with their anxieties but do not look at it as impossible.

What we recommend for curbing Anxiety

Below are some of the services and products we recommend for anxiety

Online Therapy

Online therapy is another thing we should all try. We highly recommend Online therapy with a provider who not only provides therapy but a complete mental health toolbox to help your wellness.

Anxiety Weighted Blankets

Anxiety Weighted Blankets are by far the number 1 thing every person who suffers from anxiety should at least try. Anxiety Blankets may improve your sleep, allow you to fall asleep faster and you can even carry them around when chilling at home.

Light Therapy

Amber light therapy from Amber lights could increase the melatonin production in your body and help you sleep better at night. An Amber light lamp helps reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and increases overall sleep quality.

Frequently asked questions

Are INFPs likely to have anxiety?

INFP personality types tend to be vulnerable to stress and anxiety. This is mainly because they are sensitive and are likely to be affected more easily by criticism than others. They take critical feedback very personally and get upset or feel attacked.

What personality types are prone to anxiety?

Research indicates that people with certain personality types are more likely to experience anxiety than others. For instance, perfectionists tend to develop anxiety as early as in childhood due to a lack of self-esteem.

What is an unhealthy INFP like?

An unhealthy INFP can be domineering, controlling, and self-conscious. they view their ideals as the truth and any opinion against their ideals is taken as offensive. they tend to hide their problems and emotions to mask their vulnerability.

What is high trait anxiety?

People with high trait anxiety see the world as more unsafe and threatening than those with low trait anxiety.

What is the dark side of an INFP?

INFPs sometimes hold a critical belief which then amplifies to the real world. They tend to take revenge with severity and without any remorse. In some cases, they become insensitive and indifferent about other people’s feelings.

Citations

personalitygrowth.com

https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/anxiety-triggers

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10634350/

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Do INFPs have anxiety?