Do INTPs experience depression and anxiety?

This blog answers questions about: Do INTPs experience depression and anxiety? How can INTPs deal with anxiety and depression? What are the key characteristics of INTPs?What is depression? What are the symptoms of depression? what is anxiety? what are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? What are the causes of anxiety?

Do INTPs experience depression and anxiety?

INTPs do experience depression and anxiety-like any other individuals. There are many situations under which INTP become extremely stressed and depressed according to the MBTI stress head illustration

When INTPs are stressed or experience anxiety they usually shut themselves and alienate from the world. Alongside they also tend to rely on their logic rather than their feelings which might make it difficult to manage the conflict between the mind and the heart.

How can INTPs deal with anxiety and depression?

Using logic

When INTPs feel stressed or depressed they look for logical answers for their situations. In cases where INTPs find themselves shadowed with overwhelming feelings, they can try to come up with ways to understand their problems more factually.

Though this is not one of the easiest tasks for them due to their symptoms of depression they can find ways to get over their weak moment.

The conflict between the mind and the heart is very normal for INTP and they find it hard to lean towards their logical minds. While they want to understand the situation more analytically their depressions are not very easy to comprehend.

Avoid alienation

INTPs must understand that alienating themselves from the situation is another way of trying to escape it rather than actively resolving the issue.

When INTP’s struggle with anxiety and depression, they often want to be isolated and stay away from the world. INTPs prefer this because they feel staying alone for a while helps them reset themselves.

However, INTP must understand that it is not necessary to completely separate themselves from others when they are feeling stressed or depressed. Rather they must try and reach out to other individuals whom they trust and feel connected to

Forming a sense of connection with other individuals can be very important for INTP when they are feeling anxious or depressed.

Talk to someone

While INTPs prefer alienating themselves from the world when they are stressed or experience a low mood there might be times where they can try and open up their feelings to others, though this is one of the most difficult tasks for them.

They must rely on people that they are comfortable with particularly in a professional sense. They must acknowledge the fact that professionals can give them facts and logic that will help them express their emotions and situations better in turn helping them to resolve these issues.

Self-care

When INTP’s are depressed or anxious they find it difficult to connect with the physical world around them making them ignorant about their self-care.

INTPs must try and get back into a healthier state of mind and prioritize things that maximize self-care. Learning to arrange their habits and develop new ones is a very important step towards learning sustainable self-care.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. It is used as a single mode of treatment for mild-moderate levels of anxiety and depression along with antidepressants.

Psychotherapy might involve INTPs alone or other related individuals for instance the family of the concerned person.

Depending on the severity of stress and depression psychotherapy might take a few weeks or much longer for significant improvement

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy where the therapist actively focuses on problem-solving. This is done by helping individuals replace their negative thoughts with more positive ones.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is proven to be effective for both anxiety and depression. INTPs can consult their therapist to relieve their stress and low mood over time.

Self-help and coping strategies

Apart from therapy and medicine INTPs can also carry out some self-help coping strategies such as carrying out regular exercises, getting sufficient sleep, indulging in pleasurable activities, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol to reduce their symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Medication

Antidepressants are very commonly prescribed by doctors to people with depression. These medications are not sedatives or tranquilizers

Antidepressants usually show their effects within a few weeks. INTPs can also consult their practitioners for antidepressants to deal with their stress and depression.

What are the key characteristics of INTPs?

INTP (introverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving) is one of the 16 personality types described by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

The key characteristics of INTPs are:

• INTPs are calm, reserved, and keen. As self-observers, they favor socializing with a little gather of near companions with whom they share a common interface and connections.
• They appreciate considering approximately hypothetical concepts and tend to esteem judgment skills over feeling.
• INTPs are coherent and base choices on objective data instead of subjective sentiments.
• When analyzing information and making choices, they are exceedingly coherent and objective.
• Tends to be adaptable and great at considering “outside of the box.”
• People with this identity think almost of the huge picture instead of centering on each little detail.
• INTPs like to keep their choices open and feel restricted by structure and arranging.

What is depression?

Depression is one of the most common serious mental health conditions that negatively impact how an individual feels and thinks.

Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in daily activities, and drastic changes in the energy level and the daily routines of an individual.

Depression in itself can lead to other physical and emotional problems which can be detrimental to a person’s functioning.

The symptoms of depression can vary from individual to individual from mild to severe depending on various factors.

Studies indicate that depression affects about 15% of adults every year and one in every six people experience depression at some time in their life.

Although depression can occur at any age it is more common among teenagers and early adults. Research indicates that women are more vulnerable to depression than men.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The characteristic symptoms of depression are:

• Feelings of sadness or depressed mood
• Loss of interest in activities enjoyed in the past
• Changes in appetite leading to weight gain or weight loss
• Changes in sleep patterns with very little sleep or long hours of sleep
• Decrease in the level of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feeling guilty
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• In severe cases thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of depression must last up to two weeks and cause significant impairment in an individual’s daily functioning to meet the diagnosis of depression.

What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress which are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called as Anxiety. 

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety ? 

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.

What are the causes of anxiety?

Anxiety often results from accumulated stress or overwhelming feelings. Some common causes of anxiety include.

• Increased and challenging situations and demands in day-to-day life.
• Major changes in family dynamics such as marriage, divorce, death of a loved one.
• Strain interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal conflicts
• Ineffective coping mechanisms
• Comorbid conditions both physical and mental
• Chronic health conditions
• Genetic factors
• Changes in the brain region
• Overdose of caffeine
• Prolonged use of medications
• Significant traumatic experiences in the past or recent times
• Comorbid mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder or any other phobias.

Conclusion

INTP must remember that depression and anxiety can be serious issues that require professional help. Rather than being embarrassed about the situation dealing with it effectively and resolving the same helps them to continue a smooth life.

Dealing positively with their anxiety and depression might require them to step out of their comfort zones at times however they must acknowledge the fact that these are ways that can bring a block long term stability.

Frequently asked questions 

Who are some famous people that are INTP?

Some famous people with INTPs are:

• Bill Gates
• Aubrey Plaza
• Elliot Page
• Tina Fey
• Louis Theroux
• Meryl Streep
• Albert Einstein

Are INTP smart?

Some people describe INTPs as the smartest personality type who are creative, rational, and curious.

 

What is the dark side of INTPs?

The main downfall for most INTPs lies within the “T.” Rather than Feeling, like a few other identity sorts, INTPs are inclined to dismissing passionate perspectives of life which leads to surrenders in their connections with others.

Citation

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

https://personalitygrowth.com/