One of the most common myths and misconceptions about introversion is that all introverts are depressed. This assumption may be due to some overlapping characteristics between the personality dimensions of introversion and symptoms of depression.
To refresh your memory, here are some of the personality traits of introverts include:
- Reflective
- Quiet and reserved
- Prefers alone time
- Prefers quiet environments and avoids social interactions
- Hates small talk
Introverts prefer solitude and always want to avoid social interactions, something that could be seen as a sign of loneliness and depression. However, this is a natural aspect of introverted personalities and doesn't mean they are sad or socially withdrawn.
This is not to say that introverts can't be depressed. Certain factors make them susceptible to depression, just the same way certain extrovert qualities may make them vulnerable to certain mental illnesses.
All in all, society's preference for extroversion often makes it seem like introverts are unhappy. Yet introverted people find fulfillment in their silence and can lead satisfying and meaningful lives without falling into depression. To your friends and loved ones, you might appear to have major depressive disorder traits when, in the real sense, you're just being you.
Related: Do Most People Just Seem Happy? Unmasking Smiling Depression
Are Introverts More Likely to Be Depressed?
Even though we've ruled out the fact that all introverts are depressed, we cannot ignore the role of personality in the development of depression and other mental health issues.
So, are people with an introverted nature more prone to major depression?
Research shows that introversion plays a significant role in the outcome of depression. Of course, introversion acts in tandem with other factors to make this happen, including:
- High neuroticism, which makes a person more likely to experience more negative feelings such as envy, guilt, pessimism, jealousy, fear, anxiety, and anger.
- Being too sensitive to feelings and emotions.
On the other hand, other studies suggest that depression could cause emotional numbness and make someone more introverted. These studies found that neuroticism increases while extraversion decreases when experiencing depressive symptoms, either temporarily or permanently.
When it comes to introversion and suicidality, which is a sign of major depressive disorder, research examining 296 depression and 365 bipolar patients found higher suicide risk among patients with lower extroversion and higher neuroticism.
Introversion Vs. Introverted Depression
Since it's easy to confuse introversion with major depressive traits, understanding the signs of introverted depression can help people with the introverted personality trait or their loved ones to know if someone is suffering from depression and offer the appropriate help.
While introverts may temporarily get away from people to recharge, depression comes with persistent loss of interest, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of appetite and sleep.
Here are the main symptoms of depression to watch out for:
- Withdrawal from family members and friends
- Persistent sadness
- Sleeping less or more than usual
- Constant fatigue
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Physical symptoms such as constant headaches, body aches, or digestive issues.
For an introvert with depression, it's important to look at changes in behavior, particularly where interaction withdrawal and social isolation are involved. Being aware of these changes will make it easier for you to support and help them through times.
Introverts and Depression: Risk Factors for Mental Health Issues
We have already established that not all introverts are depressed. However, there are risk factors that make them prone to depression and other mental health conditions. For starters, introverts are overthinkers, and when all these thoughts are negative, it can lead to a cycle of distress, social anxiety, and sadness.
Unlike extroverts, who tend to share their depressing thoughts with others, thereby unloading the stress, introverts keep their problems to themselves. This makes it difficult for them to find the needed support and help on time.
Here are more risk factors that make introverts vulnerable to depression:
Introverts' Tendency to Isolate
While it's normal for introverts to isolate as a form of self-care, excessive isolation can lead to loneliness, which is a significant contributor to anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders, and other mental health conditions. Remember, human interaction plays a vital role in your mental well-being, and a lack of balance between social interaction and introspection may increase your vulnerability to depression and anxiety.
Introverts Set High Standards for Themselves
Introverts' perfectionist nature makes them set high standards for themselves, always aspiring for total excellence in all areas of their lives. While this can help achieve success, it can also lead to persistent feelings of inadequacy. The introvert's tendency to overthink every situation may lead to persistent self-evaluation that fosters negative self-perception, leading to depressive thoughts. Constant self-criticism can easily lead to depression and other mental health conditions.
Introverts Feel Their Boundaries Are Not Respected
Since introverts are often mistaken for being sad and unhappy, their boundaries are usually disrespected as people try to give their unsolicited advice on what they should do to be "happy." This can heighten their risk of depression. When introverts' need for solitude and personal space is not respected, it may lead to introvert hangover, characterized by physical and mental exhaustion, frustration, overwhelm, fatigue, and isolation.
Some family members and friends go as far as forcing introverted loved ones into extroverted situations to try and make them socialize, and this can potentially trigger or aggravate depressive symptoms.
The Extroverted World Makes It Harder for Introverts
Society favors extroverts, often pressuring introverts into conforming to extrovert standards. This suppresses their natural tendencies and may lead to feelings of inadequacy, identity crisis, and isolation. From this Quora thread, we can see that being told to act a certain way makes introverts start having an identity crisis. You start feeling like being silent is bad and that you're weird for wanting people just to shut up. In a bid to fit in, introverts try so hard to meet external expectations while yearning to be their authentic selves, which can contribute to symptoms of depression.
Brain Activity is Much More Active in Introverts than Extroverts
Neurological studies show that brain activity is much higher in introverts than in extroverts. This is because, even at rest, introverts often engage in self-talk, delving deeper into their feelings and thoughts. While this can be a strength since introverts are regarded as great thinkers and creatives, it can act against them when it leads to overthinking and rumination.
Constantly thinking and replaying negative events in the mind, coupled with social seclusion, can lead to introverts bottling up negative emotions that can lead to feelings of hopelessness, shame, and guilt, and eventually cause mental health conditions such as depression.
Introverts Are Naturally Sensitive
It is said that introverts are highly sensitive people, meaning they experience emotions deeply and with greater intensity than extroverts. Introverts are easily over-stimulated since their brain needs less dopamine than extroverts.
While this depth of emotion makes introverts to be kind and understanding, it can also make them feel touched, moved, or deeply impacted by negative experiences, potentially triggering depressive feelings.
Introverts May Have Limited Social Support
Introverts struggle to make connections; you will find them with a limited circle of select family members and close friends. They prefer spending time alone and avoiding social settings as much as possible. This is especially true for introverts who are also shy or have social anxiety (no, these 3 things are not the same).
While having a small circle can be good, it also means you have fewer individuals to run to during emotional distress. Not being able to receive the support you need at the right time can make you fall deeper into a depressive situation before you get the help you need.
7 Tips to Help Introverts Cope with Depression
Because of their own personality characteristics, introverts suffering from depression require tailored strategies that align with their needs and life experiences. These strategies can help you deal with depression effectively while respecting your comfort zone.
Here are some coping mechanisms for an introvert with depression (they are good for extroverts, too!).
1. Practice Mindful Meditation
Instead of letting your mind wonder about the past or the future, introverts practicing mindful meditation can focus their attention on the present. Meditation helps you put your thoughts in check and stop ruminating on negative thoughts and emotions. Grounding techniques like this also enable you to stop worrying and detach from self-criticism.
So go ahead and download your preferred meditation app to get started.
2. Find Creative Ways to Deal with Your Emotions
As an introvert, it might be a challenge to open to people when having depressing thoughts. But remember, spending much time replaying negative feelings in your mind will only leave you more distressed. It is essential to try to share your emotions with a trusted friend or family member.
You can also engage in creative outlets like writing, drawing, sculpting, music, and art. These expressive avenues act as a safe medium for emotional release and introspection and can increase your positive emotions.
3. Practice Self-Care
Practicing daily self-care can be very helpful to introverts. Activities that can be done alone, including mindfulness, yoga, and deep muscle relaxation, can help introverts deal with harbored emotions that could harm their mental well-being.
4. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Mental Health
When navigating depression, it is essential for introverts to effectively communicate their need for some alone time and personal space (especially during the busy holiday seasons). As an introvert battling depression, you will sometimes find comfort in solitude. You can achieve this by setting healthy boundaries with your loved ones.
5. Try Journaling
Journaling can be a good way for introverts to let go of pent-up emotions and explore their inner world. Writing helps you explore your emotions, have clarity of thoughts, and document your mental wellness journey. Creating a gratitude journal is a great place to start.
6. Embrace Alone Time
As stated above, being alone can be exceptionally beneficial for introverts battling depression. Just remember being alone is different from loneliness, and you should seek help when loneliness starts crippling in. You must find a balance between being alone and connecting with a friend. Technology makes it easier for people to connect without necessarily meeting in person. So, you can opt to text or chat with your friends and family more often than you have face-to-face interactions.
7. Seek Professional Help for Major Depressive Disorder
Seeking a therapist who understands introvert depression dynamics can be beneficial to an introvert with depression. These professionals have insights into the complexities surrounding introverted individuals and can tailor their treatment to meet introverts' needs and strengths. Since introverts find it hard to speak up, finding a mental health professional who understands their need for solitude and introspection can be good.
What Does This Mean for People with Introvert Personality Traits?
First, it's important to be clear on the fact that extroversion and introversion are just personality types and have nothing to do with depression or any other mental disorders (and neither personality type is better than the other). While people from either personality can get depressed, statistics show that introverts are more likely to be depressed than extroverts. This is partly because introverts are overthinkers and find sharing hard.
On the flip side, extroverts also have characteristics that render them vulnerable to this mental health condition. For instance, their need for always wanting to be in groups could mean that they are trying to avoid their thoughts and feelings, which is unhealthy and can lead to more serious problems.
Since both parties are prone to depression, it is advisable for people experiencing depression to take care of their mental health and seek help if their symptoms persist. Remember, depression is a serious illness that, if left untreated, can take away your energy and render you unable to perform daily activities and enjoy life.
To answer the question, "Are introverts more depressed," it is good to note that while not all depressed individuals are introverts, and not all introverted people are depressed, there's a correlation between the two.
Whether introverted or extroverted, you can know if you're depressed by taking a depression test here.
