From Gloriana:
For me personally, it took me a very long time to realize the way I thought, felt, and did things wasn't necessarily 'wrong' or 'bad', it just wasn't common or everyday.
This is true for me as well. Part of it might be cultural context, but I remember being told things like "why can't you be more easygoing like your sister?" and being called "sensitive" as though it were a bad thing (by my parents who tested HSP!) That was quite hurtful, for sure.
From Gloriana:
Also, I think INFJ might have the tendency for confidence issues - depression - anxiety because of how ever-present the thought processing IS and how intricately this type of person considers, thinks, evaluates, etc.
So true. My friends will say things like, "I'm applying to medical school!" and their GPA, activities, MCAT study techniques (or lack thereof) and essay that I've just edited will come to mind. I get scared they don't have a chance. They, however, are blithely confident. Is it possible that they are just not thinking about these issues? I thought it had to do with race/upbringing -- if he/she was constantly affirmed as a kid, he/she tends to assume that I have an interest in everything he/she says... This type of behavior can be a big trigger for me, reminding me of my own lack of self-confidence because I would NEVER go on talking about something without some positive input from the person w/ whom I was speaking.
Sometimes all of these things make me question if part of my introversion is driven by the fact that being alone is that it's the safest way to be... not as much criticism, judgment, or Fe when you're on your own.
ItsAGuy:
I also think our internet intensity (which could be a force for good) often scares people away or is TOO much of a mystery for most to want to bother with, and that only worsens the issue; leading to further thoughts and struggles and so on and so forth.
Nice avatar, ItsAGUy, and welcome to the forum! Thanks for responding to my query -- can you explain what you mean by internet intensity? (Like my TWO blogs, mayhap?).
Thanks, SilkRoad. Hm - not sure how personal to get, but - I think that my social skills are pretty good? No one thinks of me as shy for many years... people do think of me as social or outgoing (it always freaks me out when I hear this though). My energy gets tapped out quick, but it's good while it's there.
I guess there's an INFJ lack of self-confidence, which can come from just feeling and being so darned different growing up (which we are). And INFJs, I think, do analyze and then get told "you think too much". No, I just think how much I think... please meet me in the middle!
Do you think INFJs respond worse to abusive situations than other types? Or worse to depression triggers? I recall someone saying on the forum that "Many INFJs seem to have a history of abuse" and I was like, "wait - that would mean one causes this other, otherwise probably would say abuse is no more common for INFJs than others".