How to help INFPs with depression?
This blog answers: How to help INFPs with depression? Do INFPs experience depression? Who are INFPs?What are the characteristics of INFPs?What is depression? What are the symptoms of depression? What are the treatment options for depression?
How to help INFPs with depression?
Some tips to help INFPswith depression are:
- While dealing with depression in an INFP, you must offer them plenty of space.
- Consider them like creatures, those who want one’s attention, love, and even one’s assistance, although they are proud, and ethical people too much interruption can turn them off from wanting to speak to you.
- After you’ve established their trust, try to assist them with both the practical matters that they so vehemently ignore.
- If your INFPs is experiencing troubles with school or work because of depression, offer to support them.
- INFPs value selflessness and are naturally helpful, so they are more likely to accept your assistance if they trust and respect, and appreciate you.
- Whenever it appears that the INFP is undergoing heightened negative feelings, try to get them to talk, but do not be pushy about that.
- If an INFP is depressed, they may not do anything or go out, so instead of pressuring them, ask them whether they would step in and help you with doing something.
- Their benevolent nature will compel them to accompany you, which will get them progressing again. This technique is part of a psychotherapy technique known as behavioral stimulation, and it is frequently used by therapists to treat depression.
- As INFPs are sensitive to criticism, try to inform them as gently as possible when they are not able to take care of you.
Do INFPs experience depression?
INFPs experience depression very commonly. This is mainly because they feel things intimately and hold high levels of emotions that can pull them into a state of depression when things are very challenging and demanding.
Apart from this one INFPs are in depression they do not express their feelings outwardly making it difficult for their close ones to understand what they are going through. INFPs might want to open up about their challenges, but their personality type makes it difficult for them to talk about sensitive topics such as their mental illnesses.
INFPs only experience depression because they find it difficult to forgive themselves due to their idealistic view. They tend to internalize all their negative thoughts and emotions which leads to a feeling of alienation and withdrawal.
People with INFPs personalities prefer being alone whereas for those experiencing depression isolation is not of much help rather adds to their low mood.
Who are INFPs?
INFPs are someone who possesses Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits. These rare personality types tend to be quiet, open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do.
What are the characteristics of INFPs?
Some key characteristics of INFPs are:
- They are shy, quiet and reserved. They feel drained in social situations and choose to interact with certain groups of people. They enjoy being alone however this cannot be a synonym for their shyness. They believe in gaining energy from spending time alone.
- They strongly depend on their intuitions and are focused on the big picture rather than the small details. They can be very fastidious around things they truly care about or ventures they are working on but tend to disregard ordinary or boring points of interest.
- They place a high value on personal feelings and their decisions are influenced by these feelings rather than by objective details.
- They like keeping their options open while making decisions. They prefer taking their time while making decisions due to the uncertainty of situational factors. When they can make their decisions, they are usually based on personal values rather than logic.
What is depression?
Depression is one of the most common serious mental health conditions that negatively impact how an individual feels and thinks.
Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in daily activities, and drastic changes in the energy level and the daily routines of an individual.
Depression in itself can lead to other physical and emotional problems which can be detrimental to a person’s functioning.
The symptoms of depression can vary from individual to individual from mild to severe depending on various factors.
Studies indicate that depression affects about 15% of adults every year and one in every six people experience depression at some time in their life.
Although depression can occur at any age it is more common among teenagers and early adults. Research indicates that women are more vulnerable to depression than men.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The characteristic symptoms of depression are:
- Feelings of sadness or depressed mood
- Loss of interest in activities enjoyed in the past
- Changes in appetite leading to weight gain or weight loss
- Changes in sleep patterns with very little sleep or long hours of sleep
- Decrease in the level of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feeling guilty
- Difficulty thinking and concentrating
- In severe cases thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of depression must last up to two weeks and cause significant impairment in an individual’s daily functioning to meet the diagnosis of depression.
What are the treatment options for depression?
Depression though widespread is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. About 90% of people with depression respond well to treatment.
Some possible treatment options for depression are
Medication
Antidepressants are very commonly prescribed by doctors to individuals with depression. These medications are not sedatives or tranquilizers. They generally do not have any stimulating effects on people who do not experience depression.
Antidepressants usually show their effects within a few weeks. However, in cases where patients do not see any improvement after several weeks, they can alter their doses based on the suggestions provided by their health care practitioners.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. It is used as a single mode of treatment for mild depression or for moderate to severe depression along with antidepressants.
Psychotherapy might involve the individual alone or other related individuals for instance the family of the concerned person.
Depending on the severity of depression psychotherapy might take a few weeks or much longer for significant improvement
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy where the therapist actively focuses on problem-solving. This is done by helping individuals replace their negative thoughts with more positive ones.
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment model that is commonly used for patients with severe and major depression who usually do not respond to other lines of treatment.
It involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.
Patients receive electroconvulsive therapy two or three times a week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions.
Self-help and coping strategies
Apart from therapy and medicine individuals can also carry out some self-help coping strategies such as carrying out regular exercises, getting sufficient sleep, indulging in pleasurable activities, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol to reduce their symptoms of depression
Conclusion
INFPs are equally vulnerable to depression than any other personality. They do have their own set of challenges while dealing with their stressors but do not look at it as impossible.
Frequently asked questions: How to help INFPs with depression?
Are INFPs prone to anxiety?
INFPs are prone to anxiety due to their nature of being people pleasers and the high standards of everything that they do.
Who should INFPs marry?
INFPs should marry an ENFJ who are extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging.
Which personality type is most likely to have depression?
Individuals with borderline personalities or emotionally unstable personalities are at a higher risk of experiencing depression. Apart from that people who are high on neuroticism and introverted personality traits are also more vulnerable to stress and anxiety.
Why do INFPs withdraw?
INFPs withdraw as they are introverted people, and they tend to enjoy their own company.
