Why is depression so common among introverts?
This question calls to mind a Stephen Hawking quote:
“Quiet people have the loudest minds.” This is very true and most true for introverts. Introverts tend to think too much and speak too little. That natural output, the cleansing of thoughts that extroverts or ambiverts experience is not something introverts experience.
Introverts, by nature, do not have those outlets, speaking deeply and freely only with very few(very trusted people.)Since they don’t have regular outlets they harbor trapped emotions and this tends to futher lend themselves to depression symptoms.
Introverts tend to be perfectionists and are usually highly self critical, which leads to overthinking. This combination of over thinking, high self criticizing and the drive for perfection can trigger low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, melancholy and despair. These feeling, any combination of them actually, causes introverts to engage in frequent introspection which can also, without a steady outlet, lead to feelings and symptoms of depression.
Introverts are also very keen, very attuned observers of life and other people. While they tend not to judge others as harshly as themselves. Introverts are natural day dreamers and have extremely active, fertile and sometimes crazy imaginations. This causes them to set incredibly high goals for themselves and, secretly, for those around them. They do see a better path and have lofty expectations of themselves and the world around them. These expectations are seldom met which can lead to utter disillusionment.
However, introverts have an advantage of discovering they are suffering from depression by deciphering the depression symptoms which extroverts often fail to recognize.
Introverts do find it hard to fight depression, often feeling that they will never be rid of it due to their reserved personalities. This, of course, is not true and introverts need to know, or be shown and told, that there is nothing wrong or special about being an introvert and having a mental health issue. They need to be reminded that every illness has a cure and so does depression.
It’s important to note, and I say this as an introextrovert, that not all introverts are depressed just as all depressed people are not introverts. Dealing with an introvert can be hard and, if you’re not careful, saying or doing the wrong thing, because you don’t understand the situation, can aid in the chance of depression. If you know an introvert or suspect that you may be one, I can't recommend enough a book by Susan Cain called; “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” This is a beautifully written, highly informative book about introverts and how to be with them, what they experience and also, it sheds light on the fact that introvert is not one thing. There are many facets and levels of introversion, many different types as well. Once you get more information about introverts and introversion, you discover they are not strange. Knowledge is truly power when it comes to being an introvert or spending time with one. I hope that helps.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Fam💛🤗
This is a good piece. Quite informative
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