Suicide and depression...

[drumultima]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but...

I am an INFP who does not battle with depression or suicidal tendencies. I mean, I can get really sad, but I never really can consider myself to have long term depression. However, I know way to many other INFPs who do... a good few of them are close friends of mine

Comments

[visiitor]

What causes depression in people in general I think... chemicals ... surroundings

I can go into a deep depression if I don't leave the house and stay inside my head until it drives me crazy.

Speaking for myself...

[anonymous]

Well many INFP descriptions associate INFP's with intensity of emotion. In myself this manifests as a kind of emotional overreaction. Stubbing my toe becomes ---> "Woe is me. The world is out to get me, boy my life sucks" while getting a small comment on a job well done becomes ---> "I rock, I am god, no one compares to me. I'm the king of the world!" Perhaps because INFP's are so extreme is why they get depressed so easily. There's definitely enough horror in the world to set off a depression in a sensitive person. It's hard to remember the good things in life when you're constantly seeing the bad

Re: Speaking for myself...

[yadanar]

That was wise. I agree.

I have nothing more to say.

[caffron]

Please don't take this wrong, but it may be because of your age (if you're profile is right.)

Adolescence is a very stressful time, but depression in the teen years isn't really linked to a particular personality type as strongly as depression in adults is.

INFPs don't blindly accept social norms in general; they tend generally to create their own special meaning/purpose/identity in life. Because of this, key adult life transitions can be stressful, as temporary setbacks can sometimes cause folks to doubt the wisdom of the path they've chosen. As we age and life isn't structured for us so much, we have to take more personal responsibility for our paths. Key transitions include starting college or the first serious job, committing to a long-term relationship, and starting a family.

I can't stress this enough: there are multiple risk factors for depression. Personality type isn't the whole story; almost all the time there is some external stressor, and depression frequently is in the genes as well. Not all INFPs are miserable!

[cereliastears]

As the others have noted: INFPs are sensitive, deeply emotional, and are likely to develop intense reactions to minor circumstances. INFPs also tend to feel left out and misunderstood by the pervasive extroverted world out there. We're also likely to engage in activities, tendencies, and lifestyles that will create misunderstandings in and of themselves. OF COURSE an extremely sensitive person would be easily depressed by this! We're simply more prone to do things that will result in negative circumstances regarding how we relate to most other people. Also, many of us are continually re-inventing ourselves, soul-searching, and seeking our elusive identities - This, I am sure for many, creates an underlying sense of insecurity that is further amplified by the aforementioned misunderstandings. Perhaps you've been exposed to an environment that isn't skewed against INFP tendencies. Perhaps you've achieved a level of comfort and understanding within yourself that is beyond that of the average INFP (or person in general). Perhaps you have

Re: A little tangent

[hyakofdelphi]

I'm diagnosed with BPD as well, although I often wonder if the diagnosis is truly accurate...