Is there a possible link between introversion and depression? What is depression for introverts like? What makes the difference and how can you manage depression as an introvert? Let’s find out below.
Introverts are individuals who enjoy spending time on their own. Most times, it’s what they want. Other times, it’s because that’s how they function.
Introverts prefer their quiet time over socializing with other people, especially in groups. They tend to be great listeners and usually feel like they don’t fit into society. They are also creative and analytical.
So, what makes the difference?
Secluding yourself from people or staying on your own as much as you can are seen as signs of depression. Avoiding social settings or interacting with people is usually classified as having social anxiety.
Although introverts are generally thought to be shy, shyness isn’t exclusive to them. There are so many introverts that can be outspoken when necessary. They just choose not to be.
Introversion is a personality trait and also some researches have suggested that there is a possible connection between this and depression. Let us go further and analyze this information.
Are Introverts More Likely to Be Depressed?
Before we go further, you must know that anyone can be depressed. Introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts can all suffer from depression. Depression is not a personality trait. Rather, it is a mental health challenge.
There are various studies which have suggested that there’s a link between introversion and depression. A popularly cited one would be “Introversion and extroversion: Implications for depression and suicidality” by Dr. David Janoewski, 2001.
Going through his study, it was found that introverted people were more suicidal that non-introverts. It is important to go through this study yourself and continue reading this article.
This shouldn’t scare you or make you think that introversion and depression go hand in hand. Rather, it’s to help you understand the connection and how to cope as an introvert.
Reasons Why Depression for Introverts Can Be Common
There are key reasons why depression and introversion can be linked to one another. Introversion does not cause depression and even in the world of introverts, there are differences. This is where personality types come in.
Here are a few guesses as to why introversion and depression are linked:
1. Overthinking
If there’s one thing so many introverts share in common, it’s overthinking. That’s because overthinking leads to nitpicking and nitpicking leads to dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction then leads to turbulence.
Introverts spend most of their time alone enjoying their space. Sometimes, they enjoy being alone while listening to music. This gives them the room to start thinking of their short comings.
They begin thinking about things that happened days or even years ago. They begin to wonder what they could have done differently. Slowly, they might start judging themselves. This eventually results in low self-esteem.
Although introverts can be very intelligent, analytical, and smart, they can suffer from despair. Introverts coming to terms with their personality trait might feel worthless and angered by their differences.
Being introverted sometimes means you’ll have a very small social group. This means that you have very few people you call friends. Hence, you might be reluctant in expressing your thoughts and feelings.
It may also be difficult sharing them with your family. This eventually spirals into more social isolation and lead to full blown depression.
2. Pressure To Fit In
Being an introvert, it’s common to be pressured into being extroverted. The pressure can come from family, friends, teachers, and other members of society. Since you spend more time alone, people might say that you are “weird”.
A good example would be in movies where introverts take over the world by becoming extroverts. In contrast, extroverts have the world at the palm of their hands. This can make introverts feel like there is something essentially wrong with them.
Introverts and extroverts think and perceive differently and that’s the core of our existence. However, society expects introverts to be more outspoken. The constant pressure can lead to anxiety.
Anxiety for introverts can eventually lead to depression. They try to be more “Normal” but still feel out of place. It’s an unending toll on anyone’s mental health.
This is another educated guess as to why depression is linked to introversion.
3. Regret From Different Sources
Regret comes in two forms: from solitude and society.
Have you ever gone to social functions, talked to people, done things expected of you, but when you’re back into your space, you regret everything? This is because your social battery is low and recharging will take a while.
During this recharging phase, you might begin to overthink if you had said the wrong things or behaved weirdly. This is basically a combination of overthinking and pressure to fit into society.
This isn’t the only way introverts are plagued by their need for solitude. It is without question that introverts thrive on said solitude. However, introverts sometimes need people around. Due to their social alienation, they have no one around when they need them.
I spend a lot of my time alone, but sometimes I need other people around. I need someone to talk to and share some of my feelings with. However, the problem is: I spend so much time alone that it’s impossible for me to makes friends. It’s hard for me to make friends. So that just leaves me with unwanted solitude.
This is the case with so many introverts. Having no one to talk to can leave you in your head space. And it’s only interesting when that is where you want to be. When it’s not, it can be complete torture.
How To Cope with Depression for Introverts
As an introvert, finding ways to cope with depression is very crucial. There are people who feel that you need to change who you are to excel in professional or intimate/relationship settings.
Society considers introversion as a negative trait in so many cases. This can make you want to change who you are. However, it is crucial to know that personality isn’t something you can just change.
When you force yourself to, it can leave you drained all the time. You’ll eventually need to recharge and will be very unhappy with yourself. And as you can see, it can contribute more to your depression and anxiety.
However, there are ways you can cope and manage your mental health as an introvert. Some of these ways include:
1. Find Your Own Method of Expression
When you leave a lot of emotions bottled in, it weighs you down and leaves you mentally exhausted. Mental exhaustion can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion as well. You have to fight this.
Introverts find it more difficult to share their emotions with others. They keep their feelings and emotions to themselves. Introverts form a habit of keeping these emotions locked and buried.
However, this never ends well because when you hide your feelings, they don’t just go away. It’s like putting them in a mason jar. It’s still there, just locked away. Sooner or later, that jar gets filled up and you can’t shut the lid on it anymore. And what happens next? It overflows.
Finding ways to express your emotions instead of locking them up in a jar is a good way to helm your emotions. It’ll help you heal where you need to and you’ll be better able to manage your feelings and thoughts.
Introverts suffer from the cold grasp of overthinking. Channeling this energy into other forms of expression can help. Activities such as journaling, making music, photography, creative writing, painting etc is advised.
2. Retain Your Energy for People Who Truly Understand You
It is important to accept that not everyone will understand who you are. This is the first step of acceptance and everything else follows.
Spending time alone is important for introverts. However, you should not spend every moment of your time alone. To avoid loneliness and depression, introverts need people who understand them and are there for them.
There will be moments when you want to talk to someone or just be around them. Being around people who care can lift your spirits up.
No doubt, you need your alone time to recharge from any socializing you engage in. However, do not let that need for solitude alienate you from everyone else.
Try cultivating relationships with a few people who truly understand you. Form great friendships with people who appreciate you and make you feel seen and wanted. Avoid people who make being with you seem like a burden.
This is so much better than being friends with people that have no respect for you or expect you to change who you are to fit in.
3. Make Necessary Changes to Your Routine
This doesn’t mean that you should change your introverted nature. It means that making necessary and minute changes to your routine can help. This change does not eradicate your introversion but rather supports it.
You might be too scared to go after your dreams. You are probably worried about what people will say. Think of ways to help you get better and put in the work.
Let’s say you get anxious when invited for a social interaction. Avoid shutting down these invitations especially if you’ll like to go. This can make it impossible for people to ask you out and they will eventually stop.
A better approach will be to tell them that you can’t make it but that you will some other time. This way you get to socialize without having to be out of social battery.
This means identifying areas where you need to change and going for it can help create a balance.
When To Seek Help
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an introvert. However, when you notice certain issues that could be affecting your day-to-day activities, you might want to seek help.
Remember that depression is a mental health condition and it can get worse if left untreated. If your depression leaves you spending more time alone, reach out to someone for help.
If your feelings of sadness, lack of motivation and emotional numbness persists, connecting with a mental health professional can be of help.
If you wouldn’t want to leave your personal space for it, there are online therapy platforms that can be of tremendous help. A good example is BetterHelp.
A therapist can offer you better insight on how you’re feeling and how you can overcome it. They can help you with coping strategies and medications where necessary.
Never overlook your mental health challenges or keep it locked in a jar. It never goes away; it only gets worse if left untreated.
Depression For Introverts
Introverts are more likely to be depressed due to their lifestyle and other things highlighted in this post. However, just because you’re an introvert does not make you depressed. And vice versa.
Introversion is a personality trait and depression is a mental health condition. Introverts need their alone time to recharge. However, it gets to a point where you know you’re just running away from the world and yourself.
When you begin noticing signs of depression, anxiety, loneliness etc, contacting a therapist is the next best step to take.
