Why Are INFPs So Sad? Dissecting The Depressed INFP

Any personality type or individual can feel depressed, but this doesn’t always result in them sinking deeper into melancholy.

That brings the question: Why are INFPs so sad all the time? What’s the deal with the eternally depressed INFP?

As humans, we all experience certain hardships that can sometimes make the world appear like a depressing and challenging place to live.

It’s critical to keep our priorities focused and discover strategies to advance in the directions that bring us comfort and peace.

Like anyone else, the INFP can struggle with feeling unhappy or even depressed. Still, since they feel things intensely, this can occasionally reach a new level.

They struggle with execution, not that they don’t want to work or accomplish things. This makes sense for a form of advisor.

In a setting with structure, order, and clear expectations for them, INFPs can be highly productive.

A lot of an INFP’s time is spent in the narrative network, engaged in daydreaming, introspection, and self-reflection. The fact that they dream, have strong moral principles, and have a distinctive, complex inner world is advantageous.

So let’s now dive deeper into the topic. Are INFPs mentally ill? Why do INFPs have trouble making friends? How can you help an INFP that’s depressed?

Let’s go.

Why Do INFPs Go Into Depression?

Due to their romantic outlook and reserved demeanor, INFPs often hold themselves responsible for the unpleasant emotions accompanying sadness. This makes it difficult for them to forgive themselves.

Due to their propensity for self-dependence, they may internalize all the negative, which can cause them to feel isolated and alone.

When someone is depressed, spending as much time as possible with family and friends is crucial, yet INFPs like being by themselves.

So that they can recover more quickly, an INFP who is depressed needs to strike some type of balance between being by themselves and being with other people.

In addition, INFPs are more guarded and less likely to trust others than other personality types, which might make depression worse.

Since INFPs find it difficult to trust individuals around them, they cannot overcome their depression, which often persists and occasionally worsens.

Giving the INFP an outlet or someone to share things with might be beneficial because they tend to bottle up their emotions, which can be another cause of sadness.

Are INFPs Mentally Ill? Depression & Suicidal Tendencies

Heightened Emotions

The intense feelings that INFPs experience can make it challenging for them to experience depression.

Since the INFP is inclined to put on a happy face for others, most people won’t notice or identify when they are melancholy.

While looking for someone to confide in, they can only do so with their closest friends, family members, and trusted individuals. The INFP must express their emotions to others to avoid falling into a depressive state.

They require this kind of connection and transparency to express these underlying emotions.

When depressed, INFPs frequently blame themselves since they have difficulty forgiving themselves, which only worsens things.

The INFP can naturally turn inward, yet it can also make them feel distant and alone. Although INFPs prefer their alone time, they need to establish a balance when they are melancholy.

They must look for persons they can rely on and who can provide them a sense of comfort and connection. 

Someone willing to simply listen as the INFP expresses their struggles and thoughts. It can genuinely assist the INFP to feel a sense of connection if they can articulate their feelings and have someone they can trust to not judge them.

The INFP needs an outlet or someone to share things with because holding things inside can really be a source of depression for them.

The INFP occasionally struggles with a sense of isolation from their surroundings. This results from feeling unlike others and having internal morals that frequently conflict with the outside world.

Due to this, they might feel cut off from the rest of the world. However, it may not necessarily send them spiraling into despair. 

The INFP must establish connections with those around them and devise strategies to prevent them from losing sight of what is most important to them.

Learning Self-Care

INFPs are introverts who also prefer spending much time alone with their thoughts. Because of this inner connection, they occasionally find it challenging to pay attention to their bodily selves. 

Because of this, the INFP may struggle with self-care and taking the time to care for their bodies.

When this does place, depression may develop into a severe problem, particularly if their physical condition begins to deteriorate. The INFP must make time for themselves, especially their physical requirements, which they frequently overlook.

While learning how to properly take care of oneself may take some time for some people, it is crucial for INFPs. They must learn to prioritize their lives demands and take care of their bodily and mental needs throughout this time.

The INFP may withdraw even further when they are worn out from not taking good care of themselves.

Even for INFPs who are not clinically sad, these depressive sensations can occasionally be overwhelming, making self-care a crucial step in healing and avoiding them.

Because INFPs feel emotions so intensely, they need to take the time to comprehend them and deal with them in healthy ways.

Connection with Animals/Nature

When the INFP feels a little down, connecting with animals and the environment can be a helpful approach. Without experiencing the tiredness, they might experience from most people, being around animals might help them feel connected.

While most of the time, engaging with other people drains the INFP, being with animals is quite the reverse. They provide them with a sense of love and warmth without the strain and pressure of social engagement.

Animal companions are frequently a blessing for INFPs, especially if they have a pet to take care of. Having a pet to care for provides them a feeling of purpose and occasionally serves to remind them of their own physical needs.

Because they experience a sense of compassion and purity from animals that they do not always experience in people, INFPs find that animals may be a great source of consolation.

Keep Dreaming, Baby

INFPs must stay true to their identity and recognize their inherent talents. One of the things that can assist them in getting rid of their unhappiness and sense of disconnection is their dreamy temperament. 

One of the strengths of INFPs is their capacity to connect with the beauty they encounter in the world.

They have a sense of optimism for the future because they are dreamers. This hope allows the INFP to change the world for the better. That sense of purpose is precious.

For the INFP, maintaining a connection to who they are and refusing to let other people make them forget it is part of what keeps them going.

The INFP may experience despair when they lose sight of their qualities and who they are. It’s crucial that they don’t lose sight of what really matters to them in favor of their weaker functions.

They are undoubtedly sensitive individuals, and their compassion for others and their idealistic character make them strong and in no way weak.

INFP Withdrawal: 3 Reasons INFPs Struggle to Make Friends

INFPs tend to retreat since they are introverted and like to be alone.

However, it is detrimental for them to withdraw constantly because INFPs tend to become isolated.

1. It’s challenging to discover folks who are willing to dig deep emotionally

INFPs have a high level of empathy and compassion for everyone, even those they do not fully comprehend (no matter how hard they try).

However, superficial or gossipy individuals rarely forge meaningful bonds with them. Small chat and superficial topics are something that INFPs detest, as is widely known.

Small conversation is unavoidable when meeting new people, but INFPs do not like to linger on that plane for too long. Polite conversation can be like following a group of people moving slowly; you can’t help but wish they would hurry up!

That’s not to argue that every talk has to be profoundly existential or mind-blowing. However, INFPs will lose interest in the relationship if they can’t rapidly leave the superficial plane (even though they may still be cordial to that person because we detest being rude).

One major factor in INFPs’ difficulty connecting is the absence of people prepared to go deeply into their emotions.

2. Some individuals abuse the kindness of the INFP

As I said, INFPs are really loving people. They are upbeat, generally positive, and see the best in others even when others do not. The pals who will let you vent in peace or give you a hug when you’re feeling low are INFPs since they are generous with their time and love.

Since INFPs value comprehension and empathy, they try to extend these to others.

However, if you are an INFP, you are aware that others will take advantage of your generosity. One-sided partnerships are something INFPs dislike the most.

If they are the ones who are giving and giving without getting anything in return, INFPs will rapidly become frustrated. It could be their attention, time, love, or simple ear to listen. 

However, they require balance in their relationships, just like everyone else.

3. Even when it’s not convenient, INFPs have strong emotions

The INFP “stereotype” is correct in one crucial respect: they delight in being unique. Because INFPs are flexible in their thinking and emotions, they don’t mind when people make a comment about how they stand out from the crowd.

For INFPs, standing out is perfectly fine. It’s frequently because they have high morals and a dreamy, creative side.

However, because of the same combination, INFPs have powerful emotions that can manifest in various ways. Other people may not always find those feelings to be convenient.

For instance, many INFPs deal with insecurity, which can cause worry despite their pride in standing out.

How To Help An INFP With Depression?

Getting an INFP to talk and trust you enough to disclose their problems openly is the first step in treating depression in an INFP.

Assisting an INF with depression may be challenging, but your desire to do so is admirable, given their intense privacy. Keep trying!

An INFP can typically reflect on their own struggles as someone who has overcome other mental obstacles. Still, depression is distinct from the typical issues one may have encountered.

Here are some suggestions on how to support a depressed INFP.

• You must give an INFP a lot of room when treating their depression
• Consider them like cats; they crave your time, affection, and assistance, but because they are romantic and self-assured, they may get repelled by your intrusion.
• After you have established their trust, try to assist them with the practical matters they so adamantly disregard.
• Offer to assist your INFP if they struggle with their career or education due to depression.

Because INFPs value generosity and are often beneficial, they are more likely to accept your assistance if they respect and adore you.

When the INFP appears to be experiencing a period of intensely negative feelings, make an effort to persuade them to speak, but don’t be pushy about it.

Asking them to come and assist you with something will avoid forcing an INFP who is depressed—who might not want to accomplish anything or leave the house—to do so.

They’ll join you out of a sense of duty, getting them moving again.

This strategy is a component of a behavioral activation psychotherapy approach, which therapists frequently employ to treat depression.

Because INFPs are highly sensitive to criticism, it is best to alert them as gently as possible when they are not taking care of themselves or performing tasks as they should.

Final Thoughts

Any personality type or person can experience depression, but this doesn’t always cause them to descend farther into the gloom.

In light of this, why are INFPs perpetually depressed? What’s up with the INFP who is always depressed?

As humans, we all go through struggles that occasionally give the impression that the world is a complex and gloomy place to live.

It’s crucial to maintain our priorities in check and come up with plans for moving forward in ways that provide us comfort and peace.

The INFP can struggle with feeling sad or even depressed, just like anyone else. However, this occasionally goes to a new level because of how strongly they handle things.

They don’t lack motivation or desire to work hard or complete tasks; they just suffer with execution. This makes sense for an advisor of some kind.

INFPs can be highly productive in an environment with structure, order, and clear expectations.

An INFP spends a lot of time fantasizing, reflecting, and self-reflecting in the narrative network. It is advantageous that they dream, have high moral standards, and have a unique, complicated inner world.