Introversion: An Illness or a Lifestyle?

[HeavilySedated]

I read interesting article on NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26shyness.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=general&src=me

Basically it makes a few arguments:
1. Introversion is not favored in our society, and introverted people are looked down upon.
2. Introversion is not a mental illness akin to social anxiety, but rather an individual's preference to be by themselves.
3. Introversion is an important survival instinct which prevents impulsive action that can be applied to the benefit of the human society.

I think I agree with those points. I don't really see myself as introvert, but many times I do enjoy being completely isolated. However, introversion on all its forms is an obstacle to succeeding in most environments.

So, is introversion something to be fixed? Should the world finally accept those who do not wish to be part of the herd?

 

[Shrooms00087]

I just had to say, that, cities breed mental illnesses. So from there I'd say introversion is in no sense an illness.

 

[SpinOutOfControl]

It only has to be fixed when you yourself see it as a problem in what you want to do with your life. You can grow into a less introverted state slowly by conditioning if thats what you want.

 

[ninjadanslarbretabar]

So, is introversion something to be fixed?

sorry i didnt read the article
but
eh
..

introversion is what brought you this whole world around you
its what divided us from the rest of sentient n non sentient being
we created this whole abstraction
this whole living language, it came out of isolating ourself

 

[alasdairm]

i think the terms are misunderstood. further, i don't think either introversion or extroversion are illnesses or lifestyles.

alasdair

 

[footscrazy]

I consider myself an introvert and in no way do I consider it an illness...

The title of that article, 'Shyness: Evolutionary Tactic?' is misleading because shyness and introversion are different things, and it only clarifies that later in the article.

I'm also very impulsive so I can't necessarily see the correlation between introversion and impulsivity.

 

[Rated E]

I'm also very impulsive so I can't necessarily see the correlation between introversion and impulsivity.

MBTI would probably attribute impulsivity to a preference for Perceiving ("P") over Judging ("J"). Meaning that one's level of impulsivity is not really a defining feature of either Introversion or Extroversion.

However, I do think Introverts could tend to be less impulsive; in that they'd be less inclined to follow to every whim that comes up for social interaction, or something.

 

[Tromps]

3. Introversion is an important survival instinct which prevents impulsive action that can be applied to the benefit of the human society.

Too much introversion by too many people could be a negative thing, and to society as a whole. At times it can be more rewarding and productive to jump out there and take those impulsive risks.

 

[footscrazy]

MBTI would probably attribute impulsivity to a preference for Perceiving ("P") over Judging ("J"). Meaning that one's level of impulsivity is not really a defining feature of either Introversion or Extroversion.

Noice. Correct, in my case at least

 

[rangrz]

I would say interversion is imo, an undesirable personality trait. But not an illness. I say that as most introverts I know complain about social conditions brought upon by being introverted. (Difficulty in friendship forming, romance, career progression and good old fashioned fun/adventure) But if the results of it aint bothering you..will I guess it's no issue then.

 

[blackskirt]

I don't see my supposed introversion as an illness. I am just a person who can spend weeks working on a project in isolation and then just as easily hang out with friends if I felt like it, shyness doesn't really fit in. If extroverts tend to 'act -> think -> act', then introverts 'think -> act -> think'.

I also don't really understand why people think they need to feel lonely in the first place.

 

[sssssssssss]

its only an illness if ur worried itll keep u from reaching ur goals.
u could say extroverts are reaching out for attention because they didnt get it as a child.

most online articles are garbage.

 

[Dedbeet]

I read interesting article on NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26shyness.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=general&src=me

Basically it makes a few arguments:
1. Introversion is not favored in our society, and introverted people are looked down upon.

That is an assumption that everyone makes, and yet there are few extroverted people.

Most people are quite shy and introverted, wanting very much to be liked and accepted by others, feeling lonely when they're alone, etc. This is the norm, IMO, and extroversion has been put out there as a false idea.

Or a false ideal, so to speak.

Being true to oneself is crucial.

Peace...

 

[alasdairm]

Most people are quite shy and introverted, wanting very much to be liked and accepted by others, feeling lonely when they're alone, etc.

most people? most people in the u.s.a? most people in the world? can you even begin to substantiate such a vague comment with any kind of backup, references, facts, etc.?

alasdair

 

[ebola?]

That is an assumption that everyone makes, and yet there are few extroverted people.

How are you operationalizing extroversion? Per surveys based on the Meyers-Briggs typology, most people (rates are usually ~2/3rds in samples of the US population) are extroverted.

wanting very much to be liked and accepted by others.

This is typical of both extroverts and introverts (with the exception of sociopaths, people with schizoid personality disorder, etc. (those with schizoid personality disorder being characteristically introverted)).

feeling lonely when they're alone

This is more characteristic of extroverts than introverts, the latter requiring solitary time to 'recharge' following intensive interaction in groups.
...
I find it most useful to view introversion as a particular cognitive style, where sources of mental activation emerge 'internally' more often than via cues embedded in engagement with immediate social contexts (and particularly other people within such contexts).

 

[Treefa]

Im shy. quiet..an introvert, if your not into the whole..brevity thing.
Why? well idk really i just think IN-side my head, and dont feel its necessary to run my mouth about bullshit like alot of people (you know the ones who never shut up and think you care about what theyre saying). MOST OF THE TIME i just dont have much to say...idk why i feel like EVERYONE else does.
Would i rather be an intro or extro? Extroverted of course. Not that i dont like being introverted, but it gets old, and there is such a stereo-type that we are all killers or retarted or something, man which is really just a way for the man to keep us shy folks down. Maybe there threatened by us. Im also very observant of what happens around me, people think shit goes un noticed...it doesent by me anyway...
It also gets lonely being an introvert, probably making you 50X more likely to be a drug fiend...
Yea, back in my JR yar of high school my mom took me to a counselor and had me diagnosed with social anxiety..gave me lexapro(fuck that shit), and let me tell ya most of the people they diagnose are probably just "shy" but its part of big pharma trying to suck the LIFE out of people and inject them with NORMAL. It used to make me feel left out that i was quiet, but realised tht I AM the only one betweeen me and them.
Anyway that was a year or so ago, since then i have quit all medications, pretty much rely solely on weed to help my anxiety in certian social situations.(i CAN do it sober with MINIMAL anxiety too) I noticed when i used to go to school kids would always try to get most the kids involved in conversation or include them at least even if they are being quiet...but me, no, im "the quiet kid" so yea i have to talk to them and they make it akward like "you can talk!"(ok that hasnt happend in a while, as ive matured ive shed SOME shyness.) SOmetimes i just make people feel akward tho i guess, but in reality it is THEIR fault for having an akward reaction to my input or whatev... lol
But look, label me sick, label me SAD(get the pun ha), i dont give a fuck, man. Fuck Normal!! Normal doesnt make anything but boring monotonuous lives.
I dont give a fuck if im 'undesirable', its always been this way, probably always will be, and i was born this way and i have NO shame. It is a lifestile for me, but wont deny that if severe can be an illness
PS..I really AM A KILLA so watch out mofuckas!!! i got one fo yo ass!

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

OP, I didn't read the original article; I am no fan of evolutionary psychology, and consider the NY Times' frequent uses of it to stir controversy and attract readers' eyeballs to be basically highbrow yellow journalism, but I guess these are hard times for print media I digress.

Introversion is a highly misunderstood concept, and has become a loaded term due to how it's misunderstood. From a psychiatric perspective, to be introverted simply means that social interaction feels like work (i.e. it's draining), and time free from social interaction feels like rest (i.e. it's recharging). Extroversion is vice versa. There it is, folks -- no value judgements, no pop psychology, no cultural associations.

Clearly then, with this definition, introversion is neither a pathology or a lifestyle. It's closer to an aesthetic preference. Like all the parameters of the Myers-Briggs test, the I-E axis is merely a reflection of what you prefer, and in no way dictates what you do. Plenty of introverts have jobs and lifestyles that are full of social interaction, and handle them with aplomb. But when they have downtime, you'll probably find them working on solitary projects, or hanging with people who demand very little from them socially ("When me and my friends get together, we don't really talk, we just do stuff.")

One thing that this value-neutral, stripped down psychiatric definition of introversion does is obviate any need to coddle self-described introverts. Instead, it provides a framework for such people to build practical coping strategies. Just like people with sensitive ears probably shouldn't live in cities or work in factories, introverts probably should steer clear of lifestyle choices which necessitates their social availability at all times. As an introvert, I can say with confidence I do not want a job where I'd be needing to pick up my cell phone and take business-related calls 24/7.

To use "introverted" to mean "socially phobic" or "socially inept" is not correct. One can have severe social difficulties, but still yearn for social interaction, and be very drained by the resultant loneliness. In fact, I'd say natural extroverts who have trouble with social interaction are much more in need of psychological intervention. An introvert who's bad with people might not even realize what he's missing.

Social phobia and avoidant personality disorder are true pathologies, ones with a lot of literature behind them and many documented effective treatments. You know you have one of these problems when you are failing at life in one way or another. If you can hold down a job, succeed in school, stay out of trouble with the law, find and keep a non-toxic romantic relationship, and have all the friendships and social interactions you care to have, then you do not have a psychological illness.

For the record, I have seldom encountered any social situation, including in other cultures, where being a "quiet person who mostly keeps to himself" draws criticism or causes major problems in and of itself. That is, so long as the quiet person is apparently confident and happy being this way, and makes no apologies for it. A person who is socially uncouth, offensive, insensitive, latently hostile or angry, or fearful? That's another story.

 

[Legerity]

Introverts and extroverts both seem to have their own strengths to offer. For me, having to make small talk can be one of the most tiring activities. Sometimes I'm in the mood but if I'm not then I'm not. I wouldn't consider it an illness, there's just so much going on inside my head that too much socializing can just be very over-stimulating and my mind will tend to shut down and numb out to compensate for that.

The world would be pretty lousy if everybody was an extrovert or everybody was an introvert. Good to have the mix.

 

[LadyLucid]

One can have severe social difficulties, but still yearn for social interaction, and be very drained by the resultant loneliness...If you can hold down a job, succeed in school, stay out of trouble with the law, find and keep a non-toxic romantic relationship, and have all the friendships and social interactions you care to have, then you do not have a psychological illness...so long as the quiet person is apparently confident and happy being this way, and makes no apologies for it.

This is what I've always understood introversion to be(as it applies to my life). No one person is going to have the perfect combination of social skills in every single interaction, for whatever reason character flaws can get in the way. Life history and experiences is a completely scattered variable and undoubtedly our past affects us. My mother always told people when I was a child that I wasn't the "social butterfly" in the family, so she was pretty much setting me up for failure. Thankfully, I've gained some insight and balance in my confidence through the years. The majority of my personality is still very introverted, but I don't see it as a lifestyle or an illness..more of a personality quirk.

For me, having to make small talk can be one of the most tiring activities...there's just so much going on inside my head that too much socializing can just be very over-stimulating and my mind will tend to shut down and numb out to compensate for that.

This is me. I have a job where people are in my face constantly, and I have to act my butt off, feigning pleasantries and compassion. But I think it's also how I consider who is worthy of conversation. I can't shut up around friends I enjoy, but I can't really channel that when I feel vulnerable.

It's when I suspect a person is assuming something based on my physical appearance, gender, or age, I just open up and tell it like it is.

 

[ebola?]

From a psychiatric perspective, to be introverted simply means that social interaction feels like work (i.e. it's draining), and time free from social interaction feels like rest (i.e. it's recharging). Extroversion is vice versa.

Well....I consider this a marker, not definitional. The cognitive tendencies are causally and logically primary.

ebola