Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Introversion and Extroversion

[James81]

This is a subject that I really dig talking about, so I'm gonna make a post about it here for discussion. On my blog today, I talked about a discovery that I made about myself and how it affected my growth:

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing | A Million Shiny Leonards

And I want to shout that from the rooftops, because I think I'm not the only one who has faced this issue. If I can make you aware of it, then perhaps you can find a solution in a similar way as I have.

Essentially, I think there are a lot of people out there who are mislabeling themselves as introverts due to social anxiety. And I think they use this label to protect themselves. And I think some of the "depression" that exists out there today is merely a lack of that "recharge" that comes from social interaction (for extroverts anyway).

What do you think?

[Sanity Panda]

Good blog. I have a friend that comments on the fact that she used to be an introvert known as the 'mice girl', however she also mentioned the fact that she was rather depressive at that point in her life with the people she surrounded with, and the actions she was engaging in. It's possible that she really was an introvert thats changed into a super extrovert, but I'm inclined to think it's because she has embraced her expressive side much more so now.

Having the need to interact with people is certainly a good indicator for introversion vs extroversion. However you have to take into account of the feeler dictotomy, which more often than not will mean that these people are geared towards interaction with other people.

Overall I like this description of I vs E.

It's more like a playing field. To an Extravert, the external world is their playground. To an Introvert, their inner thoughts are where home is. That's the simplest way to put the difference. You're going to be draining yourself by devoting time to the playing field you don't focus on.

For me, even if I like my friends very much. It seems my social interaction tolerance is much lower than my peers, where I'll need to withdraw to recharge or become a cranky person. But I agree with the idea there are people out there who are mislabelling themselves as introverts when feeling down.

The simple truth is, when you are depressive or in a mood outside how you'd normally act, self-reporting is always going to be slightly incorrect unless you take the negative behaviour into account.

[brendannz]

I'd say I'm an introvert and an extravert..

I don't think there's anything wrong with being an introvert.. and I think it's useful for understanding how everyones different.

But I think you're right in a sense.. People say "that's just the way I am" when really it's just their limiting beliefs about who they are.

[blossom]

I think you are onto something here, and it doesn't just exist within the introversion label. Loads of people are being diagnosed as having a "mental disorder" being socially anxious when really they just are shy and need to work at communicating more with people and pushing past their negativity and inner turmoil.

I have been questioning whether I am really introverted lately, as I have thought for years, as I know I used to be pretty outgoing and went through some life stuff that brought on alot of depression for me.
I really thought I just wasn't that social, because I felt really happy being alone and really awkward being around other people and having to talk and be entertaining was not something that came naturally or easily, but I know I was smoking alot of pot at the time and this made me not want to be around people.
It's possible that just like everything in life, if you do it for too long it becomes a habit that seems like it is just who you are?
I genuinely hate small talk though, and I know this is a sign of introversion. I just hate the noise of mindless chatter that isn't meaningful and I crave more depth of conversation. Nearly every introvert I know is the same in this regard...so, I guess it could be that some people are introverted but use it as an excuse to not push themselves out of their own comfort zones past social anxiety and improve. But then again, there is nothing wrong with being alone and enjoying your own company...that's a healthy thing. Maybe more social types could improve their own lives if they would spend more time alone?