Why are INFPs so sensitive? (3 reasons)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “Why are INFPs so sensitive?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

Why are INFPs so sensitive?

INFPs are so sensitive because of the following 3 reasons – 

  • INFPs find it difficult to be understood.
  • INFPs are highly engaged with their feelings.
  • INFPs feel easily overwhelmed.

These 3 reasons why INFPs are so sensitive will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

  • The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
  • The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

  • INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.
  • INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.
  • INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.
  • INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 3 reasons why INFPs are so sensitive?

INFPs find it difficult to be understood.

INFPs are naturally sensitive people. They struggle with knowing themselves and the experiences they experience. Being someone who perceives the world differently already makes it simple for the INFP to feel isolated from others.

They may find it difficult to be understood, always avoiding being labelled “too sensitive” or “too emotional.” They are not overly sensitive, but they do absorb information in a distinct way.

They become more sensitive to people and events as a result, and they have a better awareness of what is going on under the surface. The majority of people do not understand INFPs, which can make growing up difficult for them.

INFPs are highly engaged with their feelings.

INFPs have a natural ability to feel profound and are emotionally engaged with their feelings. They become more conscious of the individuals in their immediate environment. They become instinctively sensitive when someone around them is experiencing a more heightened feeling.

They become overwhelmed by too much commotion and strife, which is why they may prefer to stay away from it totally. When things get too emotional and heated, the INFP wants to find a method to cool down or leave the situation if they get overwhelmed.

This is due to the fact that processing all of those emotions while also processing their own is challenging. INFPs require alone time to sort over what they’ve seen and heard throughout the day.

They get emotionally and even physically fatigued if they don’t have it, and they don’t know how to deal with all of the conflicting emotions that have built up inside of them.

The INFP is a person who feels every emotion in a manner that most others don’t understand. Whether this is a mirror of a former memory, or simply watching a TV show with too much violence. They may want to avoid these situations totally because shutting off such sensations is tough for them. 

They wish to avoid circumstances that can expose them to that form of mockery before they are perceived as sensitive and feel humiliated by it. INFPs are more attentive and astute than extroverted people because of their emotions.

INFPs feel easily overwhelmed.

One of the most common issues that INFPs face is being overwhelmed by too much external input. They have a harder time filtering these emotions, and they can quickly become overwhelmed when their surroundings are loaded with too much noise, light, or excessive scents.

When they’re in a situation where there are too many various things arriving at them at once, the highly sensitive INFP feels panicked right away.

When this happens, individuals discover that even the tiniest touch or noise may send them over the brink, and it causes others to misinterpret why they want to flee. This isn’t anything they do on purpose; it’s just how their mind and body react to overstimulating environments.

Accepting that there is nothing wrong with them is one of the most critical steps for the extremely sensitive INFP. Being extremely sensitive makes a person more sympathetic and capable of comprehending the various levels of the world and the people around them.

This might feel like a curse, but it also has the potential to make the INFP a better and more empathetic person. As a result of their great sensitivity, they are more attentive to others and aware of what others may be going through or coping with.

It makes them more capable of perceiving the environment in new ways and even seeing small details that others might miss because they are preoccupied with something else.

It may be tough for the INFP to process this aspect of oneself, but accepting it is the best option. For INFPs, doing research and discovering other people who have similar experiences is usually beneficial.

Finding other INFPs who are very sensitive might assist the INFP to realise that they are not alone and that nothing is wrong with them. While they may be misconstrued at times, one of the main reasons for this is their rarity.

The more confident they are in themselves and who they are, the simpler it is for them to connect with individuals who will value their sensitive souls in the way they require. 

The INFP just has to be open to finding the proper individuals who will be patient and ready to take the time to genuinely understand them.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Why are INFPs so sensitive?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine why are INFPs so sensitive. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

References –

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Cherry, K. INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). (2021,  July 23). Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987