The introverted personalityA natural temperament trait with nothing wrong in it, and that is what sets it apart from look-alikes

8What is an introverted personality?

“I'm not upset, I just need to sit by myself for a bit.” Many people repeat this after a day crowded with people, and those around them respond with worry or blame. Most of the time, the person is simply an introvert, someone who recharges in quiet rather than in a crowd, and this is a difference in temperament, not a defect.

A Cleveland Clinic article explains that an introvert is someone who draws energy and a sense of satisfaction from internal sources: solitude, quiet and low-stimulation environments, while an extrovert draws energy from people and activity. At its core this is energy management and a personal preference, not ability or inability. That is why an introvert can speak in front of an audience and work in a team, but needs time afterward to regain their balance.

Personality is not a rigid mold; introversion and extroversion are the two ends of a spectrum, and in the middle are the so-called “ambiverts,” who combine traits from both ends. Mental Health America (MHA) notes that this trait may change with the move from youth to adulthood or after major life changes.

9Traits of an introverted personality

10Types of introverts

The Cleveland Clinic article describes four common patterns, and their definitions vary between personality tests:

• The social introvert: likes people but in small groups, such as a dinner at home with a few friends.
• The thinking introvert: absorbed in their inner world, with a lot of reflection and imagination.
• The anxious introvert: more cautious in social situations, and replays what happened in them.
• The restrained introvert: deliberate, thinking a great deal before speaking or acting.

11The difference between introversion, shyness, social phobia and depression

Shyness, on the other hand, is a feeling of tension and awkwardness in social situations, and a person can be shy and extroverted at the same time. MHA explains that the deciding question is: do I withdraw because I prefer to, or because I avoid people and fear them? If it is the latter and it keeps you from relationships you want, it may be social phobia. If the solitude comes with sadness and a longing for people, that is loneliness, not introversion. And if your mood has changed and you have lost pleasure and energy, look at the signs of depression.

12Strengths of an introverted personality

MHA stresses that there is nothing wrong with being an introvert, and that it has clear strengths: the ability to concentrate and work independently, good listening, careful thought before decisions, and deep, steady relationships. The problem is not introversion itself, but the social pressure that demands everyone be equally sociable.

13Tips for introverts and the people around them

1. Know the limits of your energy, and plan quiet time after crowded events.
2. Choose the events that really matter to you, and politely decline the rest.
3. At work, ask for the meeting agenda in advance so you can prepare your ideas.
4. For family: do not read their need for solitude as being upset or arrogant.
5. Do not pressure an introverted child to become “social;” help them make one or two real friends.

14When does an introverted personality need a consultation?

Introversion alone needs no treatment. But if it comes with fear that gets in the way of your studies or work, prolonged sadness, or you have started to rely on a substance or on screens to escape people, an assessment helps tell temperament from illness. You can begin with the depression test or book a consultation at the outpatient clinics.