What triggers an introvert? Introverts have specific triggers which sometimes make them want to yank out their skin. As you guessed it, it’s that bad.
Life for an introvert can be exhausting because triggers are at every corner. The daily stress leaves them physically and mentally exhausted. And did you know many introverts suffered from anxiety?
An anxiety disorder can be triggered by a lot of factors. Overthinking, misophonia, you name it. This is why subconsciously, introverts just withdraw themselves from the world and lock themselves up in their space.
Does this help? Sometimes. But not always. You see triggers aren’t just people, they can be us as well. Sometimes we overthink ourselves into a state of worry. And even without human contact, we’ve ruined our day.
It’s no surprise that stress can be draining and can just leave anyone tired. But what are the other triggers of an introvert?
On the surface, introverts can come off as thoughtful, calm, calculated, and reserved. However, what people don’t know is there could be total chaos inside their minds. Reason? They have a million thoughts in their heads.
Is Stress The Ultimate Trigger For An Introvert?
Introverts are wired in a unique manner which makes the most random things stressful. One of these random things is being disrupted. This applies to any activity whatsoever.
Let’s say you’re seeing a movie and you’re engrossed by it. Having a good time and suddenly someone starts talking. Now, it can be about anything, anything you presently do not care about.
Now you have to pause your movie, which snaps you out of your own world. That leaves a prisoner of the intruding party’s world. That’s a trigger right there.
Introverts do not like being interrupted or being summoned when they are engrossed in something. It can make them a little bit irritated. Another way this can happen is a phone call.
Let’s say you haven’t slept well recently. Just as you’re about to go into REM 2 of your sleep cycle, your phone rings. At that very moment, no sound could be more irritating and unsettling.
You pick up the call, reluctantly, and find out the call is about something insignificant. It’s only logical to be mentally stressed out by it.
Introverts are known to be reserved. So, it’s not a surprise they hate talking on the phone. In a lot of cases, introverts are socially awkward and shy.
However, shyness and introversion are not always interchangeable. There are lots of introverts who are outspoken when they need to be. But would rather be in their own space.
Introverts are deep thinkers and very creative/imaginative. This can make them come off as absent-minded. They get so lost in their own thoughts that they forget the rest of the world.
With a lot of things going on in their minds, it’s no surprise that they can be mentally exhausted. An introvert can spend all day indoors but still talk about how tired they are.
What Triggers an Introvert
Stress is one of the factors that trigger an introvert but there are a lot more. Here are other examples of what triggers an introvert.
1. Small Talk
The bane of every introvert has to be small talk. They dislike it so much. They just avoid talking to people in general. The crazy thing about small talk is how important it can be.
For most people, you can’t talk anything serious without first walking through the flames of small talk. These introverts understand this. They just hate when it drags on for too long.
Introverts are willing to endure small talk for a while but they get exhausted quickly. If things don’t get interesting, they zone out.
Here’s another reason why introverts detest small talk. They aren’t exactly good at it. They aren’t familiar with starting conversations with new faces. So, this leaves them unmotivated to ever start it.
Introverts prefer deeper conversations but here’s the thing. It can leave them exhausted as well. The only difference is that they actually enjoyed it and were willing to contribute.
Plus, the conversation would last a lot longer than talking about completely superficial things.
2. Visiting Unannounced
Here’s how introversion works. If I ever invite you to come over to my place, I need to mentally prepare myself for you being in my space.
If I get invited to come to your place, then I need to mentally prepare myself for leaving my space. There are no in-betweens. So, unannounced visits are a no-no.
Visiting an introvert unannounced can be a great way of triggering them. Of course, they might be polite and host you. However, they will avoid you in the future (Literally).
Here’s another example. Your introverted friend invites you over and you bring someone else. That can mentally stress out an introvert because now they have more people in their space.
It can leave them regretting ever inviting you over in the first place. So please, if your introverted friend invites you, come alone. If you’ll be coming with someone else, inform them first or just don’t.
3. Being Put on A Spot
Introverts hate being put on the spot for so many reasons. One, all eyes on them. Two, all eyes on them. It can make us extremely self-aware and uncomfortable.
What triggers an introvert? Impromptu activities such as speeches, social events Etc. Presentations, job interviews, etc. This does not mean they do not excel in it. It just requires a lot of mental effort.
Here’s another thing you should know about introverts; they have a coping mechanism. This helps them overcome the mental exhaustion of spotlights till they can get back into their space.
For most introverts such as INTJs, the use of sarcasm helps them go through with it. It keeps them going through the day till their battery is completely drained.
4. Phone Calls and Loud Noises
It’s safe to say that I have heard my phone ring only a few times. Phone calls can snap you back into reality so harshly, you get mad.
Introverts love calm and serene environments. Only letting in the sound, they want such as music and movies/podcasts. Loud noises can ruin an introvert ability to concentrate and even trigger their anxiety.
Sounds of cars and traffic noises, drilling equipment, noise from talkative people can just leave us mentally exhausted. So, they avoid it as much as they can.
Introverts can be great listeners but this doesn’t mean they want to hear you talk all the time. They can’t stand people who do not know when to shut up.
5. Change and Goodbyes
They may not be the biggest fans of regular routines but they aren’t big fans of change either. Introverts require time to adjust to places and things. When they finally do, they can be reluctant to change again.
Let’s use traveling as a case study. Introverts love the idea of traveling but the thought of traveling can be frazzling. So, they worry about it till they get to their destination.
It can be mentally stressful to them and so is saying goodbye. Introverts do not have a lot of people in their lives. In fact, it takes them a while to accept someone and bond with them.
This is why they avoid opening up to people so they don’t get attached. This way, they don’t have to say goodbye and undergo additional stress.
6. Social Events
Introverts will take a quiet evening staring at the sunset that being at a club. Social events require social interactions and this can leave them exhausted.
This is why after a social event they curl up into their space and recharge for a very long time. Being around crowds can trigger their anxiety and even claustrophobia.
There is also the pressure to have to get dressed and be presentable to other people. So, an introvert will avoid any form of social gatherings.
Sometimes, they enjoy these social events and are thankful for being dragged out of their homes, but this isn’t always the case. They can only handle one social event every once in a while.
7. Conflict and Violence
Introverts can be very sensitive. This is especially true for feeler types. This makes them very uncomfortable with conflict. Most times they avoid it till they can’t anymore.
I personally do not like conflict but instead of avoiding it, I try to address it quickly enough so it can go away. The idea of being caught up in conflict can be emotionally and mentally draining.
When faced with conflict, they overthink so many ways they could have avoided the situation. Sometimes, they blame themselves even when they are the victim.
Negative energy is just unmentionable for them and they may lose sleep over it, get irritated or, be excessively anxious. Some introverts avoid confrontations like their lives depended on it.
8. Everyday Activities/Stress
Most times, we don’t want to deal with pressure at all. We just want to go home and relax. However, this is the real world and we know that. How do we handle it? Planning.
We plan our days and keep to a schedule as much as we can. It helps us concentrate and get done with our work as fast as possible. And almost never will we want to hang out after work.
Introverts with anxiety try to manage their time and avoid so much pressure. Sometimes it’s inevitable but we try. Everyday activities just have a way of getting to you.
What Triggers An Introvert And How To Manage It
Since stress is inevitable and triggers are everywhere, finding ways to avoid getting overwhelmed is advisable. Here are some ways that should keep you recharged and functioning.
Identify Your Triggers
Finding out what triggers you helps you work around it. It helps you understand how to react to certain situations and what you can change.
Identifying your triggers keeps you in control of the situation at all times and that’s what you need.
Get Enough Rest and Exercise
Rest, sleep, and exercising can boost your serotonin levels and that’s exactly what you need. It helps your brain and prevents it from going into overdrive.
If you ignore your recharge time, it will come back to haunt you soon.
Talk To Someone
Tell people how certain things they do can be stressful to you. And just how this stress affects you. Sometimes, you need to express how you feel.
Introverts tend to keep their feelings bottled up and that can be draining. It leaves them easily irritated and angered.
So, try to talk to someone. They’ll probably react better than you think.
Be More Understanding
It’s the real world, and people cannot always do what you ask them to. So you have to be more understanding and strong in tough times.
Engage in human interactions regularly. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a small group. We all need it to keep us sane.
