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[INFP] INFPs, Do you detach emotionally in moments of crisis?

CrystalViolet

lab rat extraordinaire
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
2,152
MBTI Type
XNFP
Enneagram
5w4
Instinctual Variant
sx/sp
I've been pondering this, you see. I notice in moments of crisis, it's almost like I switch off the emotion chip. Others have noticed this in me too, but it has to be a big crisis, where emotion is so intense, it would be crippling (system overload perhaps?). It also happens in routine, but relatively stressful situations at work also.
 

BerberElla

12 and a half weeks
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
2,725
MBTI Type
infp
Yes, I have felt the cut of switch happen when the need for emotion is too great, or the situation too painful. It feels like I go dead inside for awhile, it's usually accompanied by a withdrawl from society until I feel able to process the emotion.
 

JivinJeffJones

New member
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
3,702
MBTI Type
INFP
Yeah I do this. People tell me I'm always calm in a crisis. I've thought about it a lot, but never really gotten to the base of what's happening there. I could be detaching, or it could just be that I'm so internal that it takes a while for big things to filter through. I dunno. Maybe the stress flips us into our shadow ESTJ state?

Edit: or maybe it's just shock/denial?
 

Jeremy

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Dec 24, 2008
Messages
426
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
9w1
Yeah. I am usually very calm and detail oriented in a crisis. If something is wrong, I can completely detach from my emotions in order to continue working on the job, and make sure everything I can do in order to prevent any further damage is done as well.
 

r0wo1

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Nov 4, 2008
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185
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INFP
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9w1
Absolutely, but I'm not entirely sure that means I turn into a calm, cool me in a crisis. Everybody has their sad stories, and in the past, I've noticed that when I'm going through tragedy, I tend to subconciously suppress the emotions that I am feeling, to the point where I'm not even capable of crying in many cases, until I have enough time to ponder over them alone. I dunno if I do this to protect myself or the people around me? But once I have had time to understand them myself, then I can confide in other people. But only those that are very close and I feel understand me very well.
 

Anja

New member
Joined
May 2, 2008
Messages
2,967
MBTI Type
INFP
Same for me. I've wondered too, JJJ if it isn't the initial grief stage of denial.

Whatever it is, it seems as though a switch is flipped and I am afloat without my feelings compass for however long it takes to do what is necessary.
 

disregard

mrs
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
7,826
MBTI Type
INFP
If it is a crisis to me, I will not be detached.

Far, far from it
 

placebo

New member
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May 11, 2008
Messages
492
MBTI Type
INFP
Hm... I actually can't really think of this happening to me. The emotion, as intense as it gets, just stays there and washes over me, drenching me, until I somehow let it all out. But all my crises have been personal; I don't know about more 'external' crises, I guess--that may depend... on how I feel. I might just not feel very emotionally overwhelmed--it doesn't feel like detachment though, at the same time.
 

heart

heart on fire
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
8,456
Depends on the nature of the crisis, but yes I've been totally emotionally numb during crisis before.
 

runvardh

にゃん
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
8,541
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
6w7
Instinctual Variant
sx/so
Emotionally? Yes, though if something still needs to be done I'm better off with out having the emotions in the way. You would say I almost function better in those situations. Things seem clearer...
 

Thursday

Earth Exalted
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Mar 14, 2008
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3,960
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ENTJ
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8w9
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sp/sx
yes - i have studied stones for quite some time
 

Noel

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
613
MBTI Type
INFP
Yeah. I think it boils down to mental autonomy or rather survival. Imagine sealing vital doors in a flooding submarine.
 

quietmusician

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
320
MBTI Type
INFJ
Enneagram
4
I unplug completely. In a crisis there's just too much. It's a major overload. I guess it could be considered 'survival' mode.
 

Anja

New member
Joined
May 2, 2008
Messages
2,967
MBTI Type
INFP
And I was just thinking how I operate in crises now is so different than I used to. I used to go into panic mode and flutter about. Very inefficient with the adrenaline flowing like crazy.

Now I respond physically to the situation but it's more like I go into slow-motion. Very calm and methodical and it's a natural response.

I am not sure why. Maybe all the feelings work I've done over the years. Or maybe jus having piled up plenty of crises through time. Dunno. But I am glad for it.

Hey, heart. You've changed your type. Congratulations! You sure didn't seem like a Jay to me. ;)
 

SolitaryWalker

Tenured roisterer
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
3,504
MBTI Type
INTP
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
so/sx
I am not sure why. Maybe all the feelings work I've done over the years. Or maybe jus having piled up plenty of crises through time. Dunno. But I am glad for it.;)


You have developed your Thinking faculty, as only Thinking allows one to dispassionately and methodically work through the problem.
 
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