INFP and depression

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I don’t know if being an INFP has something to do with it, or if it’s just me, but I find that I do enter a depression every few years or so.  I’ve come to accept this as a normal part of my life (in a good way).

If you’re depressed, tell yourself it’s okay. Relax. Don’t worry. It’s going to be fine. Your system is just rebooting itself, like a computer. You might be going through an existentialist crisis: feeling lost, losing touch with reality, losing touch with yourself and your internal values.  It happens.

For myself, I find that depressions are like illnesses that can go away with time.  It doesn’t go away when you will it to.  It’ll naturally run its course and then you’ll find something new and enlightening as you leave this phase in your life.

Just let it flow.  Go for nature walks.  Listen to music.  Find something random to do. Pick up a book. Go travel.

Eventually, you’ll find that meaning that you’ve been longing for. You don’t know what it is yet, but it’s there.  Because deep down you can feel that you have a lot of energy that waiting to be unleashed; it just hasn’t found the right time and place, but it’ll happen.

In the meantime, a simple way to ground yourself is to open up your senses, be present in the physical world, get in touch with your body, and don’t think too hard. Go for a run. Try a dance or fitness class.  I find that engaging in such activities really helpful when it comes to recovering from a depression.

The light is on the other side and your life is going to be very exciting. So like I said, just take it easy for now.

To learn more about being an INFP, you can find my book on amazonkobo, and Etsy. 

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10 responses to “INFP and depression”

  1. “After an hour or two of being socially “on,” we introverts need to turn off and recharge. My own formula is roughly two hours alone for every hour of socializing. This isn’t antisocial. It isn’t a sign of depression. It does not call for medication. For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating.” – Jonathan Rauch

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  2. Your insight into infp type is unreal. I like personality hacker as well but you bring a sublime poetry to how infps function.

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    1. Thank you! Well, my perspectives on the INFP type are also based on own experiences as an INFP which gives my writing a more personal narrative. 🙂

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      1. i am an infp and i feel the same way.Music and time helps 🙂

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      2. I’m glad you can relate. Music definitely helps. 🙂

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      3. 🙂 i also like your writing. As an infp, i feel writing is also an exhaust in keeping depression away aside from listening to music.

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  3. I’m beginning to wonder if maybe I am an enfp that was convertered to infp at a very young age from a broken heart. Because in my heart I want to be close to everyone.

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    1. INFPs and ENFPs are functionally similar, but I do see a big difference between them and I would never doubt my introversion. I don’t know whether people can change between MBTI types (some speculate that it’s innate), so I can’t give an answer there. Although paradoxically, as an INFP, I do want to be close to people – in a way – but from a distance since I get hurt so easily. I live by Shakepeare’s quote: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

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  4. Thanks for a greaat read

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