How does chronic illness affect type?

[TexasChaos]

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

For example, if one suffers from depression, that could greatly alter an extrovert towards introversion, no?

And yes, I suffer from chronic illness. Lyme Disease, to be exact, which comes with all kinds of goodies -- joint pain, muscle pain, neuropathy, and scads of neurological symptoms.

I am just looking for guidance in finding my "true" type, rather than what my poor health has driven me to.

TIA!

 

[INTJMom]

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

For example, if one suffers from depression, that could greatly alter an extrovert towards introversion, no?

And yes, I suffer from chronic illness. Lyme Disease, to be exact, which comes with all kinds of goodies -- joint pain, muscle pain, neuropathy, and scads of neurological symptoms.

I am just looking for guidance in finding my "true" type, rather than what my poor health has driven me to.

TIA!

I believe that chronic illness can mask a person's type.
How about if you try to remember how you were between the ages of 10 and 20?
Would that be more like the authentic you, or were you ill then, too?

 

[Metamorphosis]

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

For example, if one suffers from depression, that could greatly alter an extrovert towards introversion, no?

And yes, I suffer from chronic illness. Lyme Disease, to be exact, which comes with all kinds of goodies -- joint pain, muscle pain, neuropathy, and scads of neurological symptoms.

I am just looking for guidance in finding my "true" type, rather than what my poor health has driven me to.

TIA!

I think it would be highly dependent on what the actual disease is and how serious the symptoms are(unless you just want to know about Lyme Disease). I would expect that T/F and I/E would be the most difficult to pin down since many people would mistake the negative emotions associated with the disease. And like you said...depression could make an E appear to be an I...although the reverse is probably not nearly as common. I don't expect that the S/N spectrum would appear much different, with the exception of an N being more aware of their surroundings and physical feelings (espeically with something like Lyme Disease). I think medication via hard pain killers, etc. would effect the appearance of type much more than actually having the disease.

 

[TexasChaos]

That makes good sense, Metamorphosis (a fellow Texan, wahoo!) The T/F is posing a problem for me. And your observation about the meds is quite astute. I hate how they affect me sometimes, but there are some days when I simply can't function without them.

INTJMom, good idea. I was not yet sick between the ages of 10 and 20... so I will try to puzzle it out and recall what life was like then. Not that it was that long ago, but it just seems like it!

I was thinking that maybe I could be E rather than I, but I'm pretty positive that I'm a strong I. Even back in college, before the illness, I would come home from a party and need some quiet time alone! I hate to sit in the middle of a room or with my back to people (like in a restaurant). I used to think it was because I was raised by a military intelligence dad who was always scanning a room and being hypervigilant and observant about everything, but I find that I do it on my own now. When I try to force myself to sit with my back to people, I get really uncomfortable and distracted.

Anyway, when I take the online type tests, they generally come back as INTJ or INFJ, depending on how I'm feeling that day (or how drugged up I am, LOL).

 

[cafe]

Seems like it would have some effect. The loss of energy could cause someone to become more introverted and perceiving in practice, even if it wasn't their normal inclination to be so. I'm not sure how it would effect T/F. It could go any number of ways, really. I don't know if it would have much effect on N/S at all.

 

[TexasChaos]

Thanks for the post, Cafe. I had wondered about the introversion also...
As for N/S, I suspect that it may be affected too. Sometimes when my neurological symptoms are really bad and my brain is kind of "foggy", it seems like I am much more of a Sensor than an Intuitive. It's as if Sensing requires less thought and energy somehow, that I can do that even if I'm half-asleep. Whereas the Intuition seems much sharper when I am having a "good" day. I hope that makes sense!

 

[Seanan]

I hate to sit in the middle of a room or with my back to people (like in a restaurant). When I try to force myself to sit with my back to people, I get really uncomfortable and distracted.

Me too. In most settings, I will be found with my back to a corner, preferably facing and some distance from the entrance.

I went through a bout of clinical depression years ago and it definitely made me more introverted. It also messed with my "normal" T functioning. The circular thinking was extremely foreign and annoying and why I said "I don't recognize me."

 

[TexasChaos]

Seanan, your comment made an old REM song pop into my head...
"That's me in the corner... that's me in the spotlight, I'm losing my religion."

Yeah, totally random, I know. I have music in my head constantly and sometimes it drives me crazy! It's better than the voices though.

I sometimes test out "T" and sometimes "F", so I am thinking that is definitely affected. I took a "left brain vs. right brain" test once too and came back almost evenly split down the middle. Of course, that could change if I took it again!

 

[zarc]

I don't expect that the S/N spectrum would appear much different, with the exception of an N being more aware of their surroundings and physical feelings (espeically with something like Lyme Disease). I think medication via hard pain killers, etc. would effect the appearance of type much more than actually having the disease.

You think a xNxx would be more aware of their physical feelings? lol I'd say during illness and pain, yes, but otherwise probably not as intially well as a xSxx.

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

TexasChaos, I found it very amusing that when you personally asked me for my thoughts I was in a lot of pain at the time and thus couldn't answer you until now.

I think that stress and illness do highlight how one might react within Type. I've had Endometriosis since 11 but nobody listened or thought it was serious. Even my first doctor just gave me BC pills, which didn't help for the most part. I was mostly okay, despite the heavy pain, still vibrant and outgoing and happy. Turning 13+ moving + depressions caused by my parents, and having an even worse doctor who just gave me stronger pain killers but refused to believe that I might have Endo after I personally looked into it was upsetting. I'd always complain 'calmly' and not in the frantic state I might be seen during the pain or even if I was in pain speaking to him, I'd hold it back (I don't like showing anyone I'm in pain/sad for anything--). I was 18 when I ran to his office, barged in bawling, and he foolishly commented I might have Endo. Then surgery at 19 confirmed it. For so many years, it was bitter and devastating to be told "it's all in your head" "it doesn't hurt that bad" among others that it didn't even feel good knowing I was justified.

Depending on how bad it hurts, my reaction and control of hiding the pain alters. If it's somewhat bearable, I claim I'm 100% fine, don't worry about me. As it progresses and it hurts more, I'm incredibly jittery or extremely silently angry, closet myself in my room and don't want anyone near me or I cry so loud people come and then snap at them for coming and THEN beg them not to leave me lololol---sometimes, but only with my lil sis and best/f now. I just lie to everyone else so they'll leave me alone. It becomes shameful later on as I recall how I acted as sometimes I'm not even aware (during the times it was too unbearable or taken to Emerg or I pass out and sleep). OR I don't remember a lot of what happened which feels worse! It used to be entirely stressful to even think I'd act in such a way as I'm normally "put together" and seen that way. No one except family and a few friends know how I become as I stay home for a week or sometimes more, which has made me miss a lot of school at times if I absolutely couldn't go or refused to.

Only now am I a lot better, if not entirely so. There are also other minor issues, such as Chronic Insomnia since 13 and others, which affect me but they all coalesce to make things worse collectively. So, even though I might pass out from pain, I wake from pain at night and then can't sleep or repeatedly wake up and so on.

I feel as though I made myself appear as some crazy psycho. I'm more snappy at myself than anyone else. I probably outwardly seem sad or angry but if approached by a stranger put on a "happy" mask. And seethe inside that someone's asking me "Are you okay?" when I'm clearly not!

I can't speak for all but I'd imagine INFJs might do similarly as I have and as I've read they'd behave somewhat similarly. Citing they're fine even when not asked (sometimes), trying to hard to appear well put together, becoming critical at later stress points or closeting themselves and dissociating from all when it's too much. I think there's a lot of info online for stress within Types but I'm not too sure on illness or Chronic Illness. It's got me curious now!

 

[elfinchilde]

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

For example, if one suffers from depression, that could greatly alter an extrovert towards introversion, no?

And yes, I suffer from chronic illness. Lyme Disease, to be exact, which comes with all kinds of goodies -- joint pain, muscle pain, neuropathy, and scads of neurological symptoms.

I am just looking for guidance in finding my "true" type, rather than what my poor health has driven me to.

TIA!

Have had manic depression for quite a while. Am an intp by type.

personally, I've found that chronic illness tends to bring out the I stronger, especially if in my case, it's something that causes you to react against the outside world. One gets more inward-drawn. For some though, it may cause them to be more extroverted, as they reach out and try to forget themselves.

Yes, the T/F is definitely affected. Used to test a strong T, but under influence, the F reveals itself.

Shadows of the types: Under situations of stress, the shadow of your type reveals itself, often, in a negative way. So INTP's shadow is ESFJ. hence the tendency (according to textbook definition) is to be overly emotional, to cast blame on outside circumstances/people, to be judgmental and to base it solely on little 'facts' that the environment provides.

it can be seen as a way towards balance though. Since perhaps, the type that gets by best in the world is the XXXX.

nothing either good or bad, it's just personality, and learning how to manage it; oneself and others.

 

[Metamorphosis]

You think a xNxx would be more aware of their physical feelings? lol I'd say during illness and pain, yes, but otherwise probably not as intially well as a xSxx.

I meant that an N could possibly be more aware of their physical sensations when sick, giving them the appearance of being an S.

 

[TexasChaos]

Thank you for your insights, everyone. I have been thinking hard over the last few days, remembering back to my "pre-illness" self. I am positive I am "I" and always have been, but I can see how the illness has made me even more so. I am also pretty certain about the "N". Still having trouble with the rest, though!

Metamorphosis, I do think you're onto something about N's appearing as S's when ill due to awareness of physical sensations. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that, on my really bad days, it seems to take too much effort to be intuitive and the sensing just happens. It seems like my head becomes clouded over by pain and I can't think clearly, I just sense and feel.

Elfinchilde, thank you for the info about shadow types! I think that will help me sort through this and figure myself out a bit better. And thanks for sharing about your own struggles with your illness and how it affects you. Very helpful to me and I appreciate it.

Delirious, I am very sorry to hear about your pain and struggles. Especially being told that you are imagining them!
I see myself in your description quite a bit. Perhaps I am a NF? Well, I'm married to an ISTP who thinks I'm overly emotional, even though I don't necessarily think I am... there's a lot of friction between us these days!

What about P/J? I love closure but have a hard time making decisions. I also have some mild OCD tendencies, but I wonder how much of that is actually "me" versus being a coping mechanism to get some control in my life?

 

[elfinchilde]

Hi Texaschaos,

about P/J:

in brief--P stands for Perceiving. So generally, a P would be someone who is more spontaneous, doesn't need/like deadlines, prefers to work as-when. More often than not, we are Procratinators.

J stands for Judging. ie, needs plans, routines in order to function. Prefers things closed, neatly, all loose ends tied up. So Js will tend to be more 'fixed' about things, and prefer to stick to plan, whereas Ps will just up and go.

Think back to your natural tendencies, before illness takes over. Cos i think, when one is sick, there needs to be a certain routine, and you're forced to be more J, for instance, in taking medication, avoiding certain foods etc---there can't be that much of spontaneity, devil-may-care attitude in that sense.

Some of the other forumers may be better at giving a clearer explanation of the types though, especially the cognitive functions; that still has me a little stumped.

Edit: not always true that Js are faster in reaching a conclusion. Sometimes, for Ps, we reach a conclusion faster, since it's never quite ended anyway, and you can always change it. but for Js, they may sometimes take a longer while to reach a conclusion, because for them, once they do, there's usually no turning back. Especially so for STJs: the sensory, and rational aspect would mean they consider for a long time, and then make a decision and never look back. NTPs like myself, we make decisions, but are always happy to change it. heh.

 

[JAVO]

Under stress, such as that caused by illness or medication, your shadow (opposite) type tends to appear more, but sometimes only on one function. This also varies according to the situation. The challenge is for you to figure out who you really are when not under stress. To do this, I think it would help to imagine what your ideal life would be like if you were unaffected by lyme disease.

 

[fleurdujour]

This is a very, very late post, considering this thread was started almost a year ago, but I thought I'd chime in anyway because I had a fairly bad case of Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease affects people differently and different strains of it and related bacteria can do different types of damage and cause varying degrees of the illness, so I'll add that mine affected me not only physically (PROFOUND exhaustion--I mean sleeping 20 hours a day, as well as incredible joint paint and muscle issues, among other physical problems), but also mentally (depression, hopelessness, out of mind and out of body feelings--the depression and hopelessness was mostly attributed to feeling like I was dying physically, mentally, and emotionally and not knowing what the problem was and thinking that I was perhaps going crazy because none of the doctors thought Lyme Disease would cause the set of problems I had--they thought it would be strictly joint pain, which I had terribly, but they thought combining the joint pain with my other symptoms ruled out Lyme--that was, until I went to a Lyme Disease specialist and had appropriate comprehensive testing). After two years of being undiagnosed and it progressively getting worse, they figured it out and I went on HEAVY doses of antibiotics (doxycycline) for a year. I have been Lyme-free for almost 4 years now and let me tell you, I did not realize just how sick I was until after I felt better. I almost forgot what it felt like to feel "normal" physically, mentally, and emotionally. So, yes, chronic illness can certainly affect type. To what extent, I'm not sure. I tested INFJ strongly before, during, and after my bout with Lyme. But, I can tell you that when I had Lyme badly, I did not feel like myself at all, so it was tougher for me to identify with one type in particular (and perhaps maybe the reason why I was still strongly INFJ in testing was that I was answering the questions knowing that I was not myself and was basing the answers off of how I was previously).

 

[LadyJaye]

Pink and I have been sick since our teens, and it does seriously affect our personalities. I'm probably one of the edgiest ENFP's I know - I feel like I should be more buoyant or lighter in heart perhaps, as my instinct, when I'm not feeling as bad, is to be playful and engaged. But, I spend my energy really quickly, so I have to be quiet and still a great deal more than I would normally.

 

[Wild horses]

Someone close to me suffered for years and years with chronic illness which undoubtedly effected her 'type' or at least they way she displayed characteristics.. I noticed a gentleness and empathy that wasn't there in uch large doses before... I also noticed that because she had to slow down her hobbies and interests were different.. I would even say that her sensory function was cut off to some extent and so she developed incredible inuition along with great perception...

 

[Darlene]

I'm new to all this typing stuff, but I am wondering how a chronic illness could affect one's type? I am assuming it could greatly mask aspects of it.

I'm not sure. I suffer from Lyme disease as well. You know, it can be quite nasty illness with it's co-infections, it's not just Lyme (borreliosis).
How does it affect your type? Well, at least I know it does cause "stress behaviour" from time to time. It has forced me to get used to use Se over long periods of time - there is always some herbal tinctures to mix ( 4 times at day), supplements to take or supplement boxes to fill, books to read (Like Dr. Horowitz's and Buhner's book about healing this disease), supplments to order, cook healthy food which you can eat when you have lots of allergies caused by lyme, etc. It has forced me to pay attention what is happening right now, attention to details (what must be done at the present moment). I can't say I have enjoyed it, but perhaps it has develop some Se which has been uite oblivious to me previously.

Secondly, I've been learned to hone on my Ti judgements as well. I'm not saying INFJ should trust only logic, but I've learned to see it's value in a new, different light. Nowadays I always gauge my decisions through it and it has been shown to be priceless assessment tool. I didn't have that much emphasis on in my decisions before.

So in these ways, it has affected my personal development, but I can't say anything about the future.

 

[Yuurei]

It doesn't.
I was born with a terminal illness ( You all know that I'm sure) it has, unfortunately, had a strongly negative effect on just about aspect of my life-the only thing it hasn't effected is my type.

Some snot-eating bastard say I can't be an ENTJ because I have accepted hearing the word 'no' so often as a reality. I say that it's only BECAUSE I'm an ENTJ that despite being so frequently ostracized, judged, and denied so many things others take for the granted that I have managed to remain the resilient, prideful, and opportunistic asshole that I am.

 

[FemMecha]

I feel like Se helped me deal with chronic pain but Ni works against me. Se helps me let go of inner constructs of of pain and accept the experience for what it is. Preconceived notions of pain and rejecting it can throw people into a panic. Experiencing it without preconceived notion is helpful to increase tolerance.


Ni and Fi make it worse because being future oriented Ni feels like it will never end and can get personalized into feeling "mean" even if there is no one causing the pain with Fi.