Top ten myths about introverts

Everything in this pretty much sums me up apart from #9 I love going out to clubs and I love abit of adrenaline junky thrillseeking, nice thread

I've never considered my introversion to be a positive thing. I was first described as being an introvert by a teacher when I was 12/13. I was crippled by shyness, never volunteered answers in class, wouldn't socialise with more than two people at once, that sort of thing. Talking to the class was like asking me to split atoms with a toothpick.

Maybe I didn't like being this way because when I was younger I was chatty and enthusiastic about everything, then when I got to 10 years old it all went downhill. I started having panic attacks upon the thought of doing anything social or going outside where anyone could see me. I have since come to the conclusion that in addition to being introverted, I am also an agoraphobic. I wouldn't go to the doctor to be diagnosed when I was younger, because even then I knew the treatment would likely be medication, something I have zero interest in taking. I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. So yes, I have self diagnosed, but no, that wasn't a bad move.

As it stands, I am 27 now and over the past decade I have been working things out slowly on my own. I still display introversion hallmarks. I hate small talk with a passion, have no interest in celebrity culture, like my alone time, socialise best in smaller groups of people I know well.
But I do like theme parks, so I make an effort to drown out the people buzz. I do like my little hobbies (which somehow have ended up involving the general public with the charity work I do), but my fellow hobbyists are like me and we always have something to talk about. That helps to ease the social anxiety.

There is a compromise for me. I don't want to be fully introverted because it gets me down so much, so I'm trying my hardest not to be this way and slowly learning how to work out the kinks in my own time, in my own way. I will never be a social butterfly, I'll always be awkward in groups, me time is paramount and you couldn't pay me to uphold a conversation with someone who chit chats about nothing, but I can now drown out the excess noise and don't have panic attacks any more.

Originally posted by Sover3igN
reply to post by AdamAnt

 

This sounds like a self test out of a women's magazine like Vogue or something.

I bet all here thus consider themselves introverts all of a sudden.
Just like in the self tests in Vogue like: I do not wear enough make-up, or do I please my man adequately enough.

God... this site is getting worse every day!

edit on 12-8-2011 by Sover3igN because: again with the typo's!!! (in this case bad grammar

)

I know right? Now being introverted is awesome? I think some extroverts are seeking attention. I've read a bunch of posts are few here really knows what being introverted is about.

reply to post by Golden Rule

but rather that society scapegoats the introvert by alluding to these reasons.

Of course!

People who think for themselves tend to challenge the status quo.

And if there is anything that the status quo does not like.... it is being challenged.

Good grief.

Yet another "If this describes you then you're a rare flower" thread. Come on folks. Introversion is circumstantial and it's likely that everyone can describe themselves as such given the right social conditions and scenarios.

I dislike the desperation of members so quick to cling to any set of definitions that makes them feel unique or part of an cognitive/emotional/spiritual elite.

I can hear the desperation and thought process: "Oh, I always knew I was different and/or that I might be the one".

Please. You're equipped with everything you need to achieve your unique potential. Stop looking for subgroups and notions to define who you are.

Aside from all this, some introverts are so due to underlying neurosis and trauma. The OP is far too absolute.

Has anyone observed that in the OP and certain responses, the word "introvert" can easily be interchanged with "Emo"?

It all just seems mighty self-indulgent to me.

Thanks much OP! I also fall into that category. Glad to know there is lots of info on it.

From what I gather from the replies is that #9 about introverts not being thrill seekers does not apply to most.

I agree, being an introvert myself, I love to go for a midnight skate flying down hills at ridiculous(stupid) speeds on the brink of serious injury if I hit a stick or pothole....nothin like it!

Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself as a fellow introvert. The 10 myths are so true. We are not weird or antisocial; it's just society that demands too much from us. People like to be able to judge everything at a glance to make their lives more convenient but we don't feel the need to express ourselves in the open. To me, the world is quite simple --- people just make it WAY too complicated for their own good. The part about friends is also very true. If I consider someone my friend, I would be loyal to them for the rest of my life --- unless they betray that trust. People who find introverts puzzling should read this note; I'm sure it'll clear up a lot of misunderstandings. Lastly, I really find talking too much without a point quite annoying. Sure, you can do that to fill up the silence between us, but just don't expect me to do that with you. I only enjoy talking about things that interest me or has a point to being said. Although I do understand that socialization must occur in order to make friendships, the incredible amount of pressure to speak something every waking minute in the company of others is just...tiring.

Thank you for posting this. : )

There's only one thing worse than introverts: introverts with frickin' laser beams attached to their foreheads.

reply to post by rexusdiablos


Oh, Yes, Yes......Im an Emo too... Thankyou fellow Emo dude, for bringing that up, finally Im free.....to be miserable..

I think the thread I just posted signifies that I'm an introvert and my handing out information will come in due time.
No need to jump the gun when the truth is on the line.
Thanks OP.

Originally posted by Stovokor
I always knew something was a little off about me..as I was reading this I kept saying to myself..this is me, and this is me..lol...wish everyone I'm forced to deal with would read it and take it into consideration when dealing with me.

here you go dude,

MBTI Personality,

this is an link, to and 'test' which is based off something called the Myers Berkman Type Indicator (MBTI for short)
it may not be like.. the real deal, but my results were eerily accurate i think. it is certainly worth a try, it won't take you more than 5 mins to complete, and you may get a good kick out of it, hahaha. (make sure you answer the questions as accurately as you can, otherwise it will impact your results. respond, as you would in the average situation regarding the question being asked)

you may also find use in this,

MBTI Explanation.


i myself, am what is known as an INTP - Introverted, I(n)tuitive, Thinking, Perceiving, type personality.
for further clarification, and self exploration, i highly recommend the proceeding links.
thanks for your time guys, and gals!

INTROVERTS OF THE WORLD UNITE! But only at a distance, mind you - I don't want you bloody people coming round and intruding on my space, and woe betide any fool who does!

Can you also be a little introvert ?

Cause I might just discovered I am... introvert.

Holy s# on a stick... how can a person change this much s/her behaviour as I did in less than 2 years??
See, i readed OP and said: ok, this sounds so much like me, but as far as I know, i used to be an extrovert...!
2 years ago, i took the Jung test and yeah, I was a ENFP person. I started to think about that and how much I've changed lately. From a person who loved to party and had too many acquaitances now i enjoy to be alone and i've lied so many times to not go to parties and stay on my home reading and learning new things about the universe or my micro universe, or using my mind to change my microuniverse... Those acquaitances are gone now and i have 3 friends, and 3 friends in the make (people who used to be part of that big universe of acquaitances that resulted to be more like me than my actual 3 friends, but there's still a big road to walk till i can call them "friends")... and well, took the jung test again, and now i'm an INFP!.

I'm almost in shock. I've became a "hermit" without noticing, and yeah, it's true. I enjoy being with myself more than in the past. And I like it more than my past "self"

reply to post by ToFarGone


Holy crap man...:O

I did that test. And this came out :

Your Type is INTJ
. Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging
. Strength of the preferences %
. 89 12 38 33

Link : www.humanmetrics.com...

INTJ Profile.

I did a another test where I was getting an ISTJ result which looked more like a better test. Since it asked 5 options for what I could be like per question.

Link: www.better-mind.com...

INTJ
Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others

ISTJ
Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Decide logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized – their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.

From experience I can tell you I have a bit of both.

reply to post by rayuki

might post this on my facebook page and then my friends might actually get me lol

He he....you HAVE a facebook page? How do you stand it?

I deactivated the account I made (on demand by others) because I found it so shallow and useless and vain and faddish. Sorry if that's sounds "aloof."

Um, yeah, the list is me....in its entirety.
Cheers OP!!
Thanks for the validation!

You know, about a year and a half ago I went to the doctor (only because it had been three years since my last visit and I was experiencing the "change of life" stuff) -- and I told her that I felt like I was weird, that there was something wrong with me that I wasn't constantly out-and-about and hyperinvolved in social activities. That I'm perfectly fine reading, or gardening, or just thinking, or walking...and find it exhausting to be in groups.

She assured me that there was nothing wrong with that, which at the time I needed to hear. My best friend is such an extrovert that I rarely get to talk to her...love her like a sister, but I just can't keep up, and don't want to try.

Oh well, at least we introverts do manage to find each other -- in places like this....

reply to post by AdamAnt


Carl King was quoting from Marti Olsen Laney's book: "The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World"
www.carlkingcreative.com...

Here's her book: www.amazon.com...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313241357&sr=1-1

Originally posted by rexusdiablos
Good grief.

Yet another "If this describes you then you're a rare flower" thread. Come on folks. Introversion is circumstantial and it's likely that everyone can describe themselves as such given the right social conditions and scenarios.

I dislike the desperation of members so quick to cling to any set of definitions that makes them feel unique or part of an cognitive/emotional/spiritual elite.

I can hear the desperation and thought process: "Oh, I always knew I was different and/or that I might be the one".

Please. You're equipped with everything you need to achieve your unique potential. Stop looking for subgroups and notions to define who you are.

Aside from all this, some introverts are so due to underlying neurosis and trauma. The OP is far too absolute.

edit on 12/8/2011 by rexusdiablos because: (no reason given)

This, this and this!!!

I was about to post something VERY similar to this!!

I am sick of people trying to label and pigeon-hole EVERYONE into some kind of catagory! (this is not a rant at the OP by any means - this is a rant at society)

ALL people are different!! Even identical twins are not 100% identical (even when they have been told that they are their whole life - their thoughts and feelings will still be different)

I just wish people would stop trying to live to a catagory and stop trying to be what they have been told to be.... WE ARE ALL AS FREE AS WE WANT TO BE (did you feel the fury of those caps??? whoooooo!!!)