Myers Briggs (VQ #3): Mental Illness and the MBTI

[winterpoetry]

I have borderline personality disorder but was thought to have bipolar. I'm a more "take it out on myself and no one knows I'm hurting" borderline than an aggressive, "extroverted" borderline. I type as an INFP, however, I consider myself ENFP because I am outwardly focused on what others think about me more than I believe and introvert would be. I find this interesting and I do believe there is a correlation here. Great topic; thanks!

[thehotavocado]

i have read a lot (80%) of "depressed" people test "introvert". interesting topic. since you have so much experience with mentally ill people, you may enjoy the book "Gut and Psychology Syndrome"; it talks about the connection between our gut health and mental health/overall health. ... good topic...

[cunnidvd]

You're going places girl. Understanding personalities will serve you well.

[vegadantay]

Interestingly, I had a friend who suffered clinical depression and began testing INFP as opposed to INTP as he did prior. I have read that MBTI is not supposed to be applied to one suffering from a mental illness- knowing how you score when affected is probably useful though. I think some evidence suggests that intuitives are more prone to all forms of mental illness- I suppose it comes with the territory.

[luwiboyet]

" Be what you are". thank you so much for being so objective and honest. I think that you have reached the border of being a feeler. :-D. Keep up the good work nice job.

[1000mangos]

do you play age of empires?

[barcode9588]

@1000mangos - Yes. I picked up AOE shortly after Starcraft. I followed the franchise the whole way (ie. Age of Kings, Titans, Mythology, etc.) Although LAN/LARPing parties just aren't as fun without mutant zerg costumes.

[demongov]

I will not say that all Bipolars are 'mentally ill'

Myers Briggs can reveal certain personality disorders that may develop in each personality type

[HotKebab]

I'm a ENTP, sometimes when I am feeling very depressed I score as a INFJ.

I heard that there are shadow personality types which occurs when one is feeling down, you become the negative opposite of your personality. 0_0

[challengeyourbeliefs]

Very good answer, I couldn't have said it better. You've got an impressive amount of talent to connect with people.

[raigekimaru]

just as a joke

ISJ: OCD

ENP: terrets

INJ: anti social personality disorder

ESP: ADHD

IFP: autism

EFJ: histrionic

ITP: skizoid

ETJ: abusive spouse

[MarmaladeINFP]

Have you taken MBTI Step II? I'm curious about what aspects you have developed in the Feeling direction. Watching your videos, you seem to be a fairly empathetic Thinker.

I experience depression. I've noticed it's not uncommon for INFPs to experience depression, but I don't know about other types. Being raised by TJ parents has magnified some of my issues with depression. I'd love to hear what you've observed about depression in terms of types in general and Thinking and Feeling specifically.

[MarmaladeINFP]

I like that you're an INTP that works for a crisis center. I've watched a number of your videos now and for a Thinker you seem to have a deep understanding of subjective experience. I have major respect. I'm fond of INTPs with subjective understanding and INFPs with objective thinking ability. As an INXP, like other INXPs who've managed to develop their inferior/aspirational. At the same time, I know from personal experience that the inferior can cause major issues metnal illness wise.

[zach118]

That it very interesting. I am an ENTP, and while going through a (temporary) depressed state (not true depression), I functioned and scored as an INFP. Actually, the first time I took a personality test was during this state, about one year ago. I did not notice the change in my personality at the time. I began to use more logic, which actually pulled me out of my depression. After "looking within" (I needed to introvert to do this) I realized that my depression was caused by...(cont)

[zach118]

(cont)...a guilt I felt, that I was not "feeling" enough. It's a bit of a paradox, my guilt began when I forced myself into feeling more than I do by nature. This created a vicious cycle of self guilt. Anyway there was a period of time where I would actually test and function as an INTP, and at this time I could actually tell I was recovering. Over time I lost the need to introvert (or rather, introvert more than extrovert), and began testing as ENTP, which I think I was before this episode.

[sirdeedly]

Under normal circumstances I'm an INTP but with a sprinkling of INFP traits, but during past periods of depression in my life I have tested fairly strongly into INFP and much deeper 'I'. I also have a friend who has a cyclothymic bipolar disorder who has experienced a similar change between ISTP and ISFP (with a more pronounced I) when dysthymic.

It does, however, seem to be more of a change of expression rather than core traits, even though some of the characteristic quirks change as well.

[july071992]

wow you're freaking hot in here. XD

[raigekimaru]

I think to some extent, E/I can change. let's say you're an ENFP but you develop a strong Fi that eventually becomes stronger and more comfortable to use than Ne. wouldn't make you change from an ENFP to INFP? I dunno, I usually score extremely low on E/I (I can go either way depending on the day) the reason I think I'm E though is because Fi and Ne are about even, but my Te (I use this for all my important decisions, Fi is more my lifestyle) is also pretty good while my Si SUCKS (inferior)

[TheMysticTater]

Would you believe the same informative way of commanding people is present in the INTP archetype?

[incommunicado2000]

That's definitely my personal experience. I would say it's the case with INTPs i know personally, too. Keirsey believes that NJ and ST types are directing, while NP and SF types are informing, which I would say seems justified

[TheMysticTater]

This is off the topic, but I have read that those with NP functions have a completely different way of communicating than an NJ or SJ. For instance, NPs like myself "inform" people as a means of commanding people, while Js directly command people. Let me give an example...

INFP says "The carpet hasn't been cleaned in 2 months".

ENTJ says "Clean the carpet".

I think this may be the reason why INFPs tend to be manipulated in the work place. They often expect others to "read between the lines".

[athiria]

Ill tell my dad;)

[Jzend001]

Can I ask you a question? Is it possible to be a shy extrovert or an outgoing introvert? I have a feeling that I'm a shy extrovert but it almost seems to contradict itself. Ive taken the online MBTI tests and I keep scoring as either an INFJ or an ENFJ.

[kardentyrell]

It is possible, intro/extroversion is something different then shy/outgoing.

Rough example:

For instance, an introvert can be happy and completely content doing things by himself, with no people around. He could also be very outgoing in social situations, but usually get drained emotionally and would need time to recharge afterwards.

An I person with a developed E ...kinda.

[barcode9588]

kardentyrell is very right in saying that the I/E orientation is separate from being "shy" or "outgoing". Introverts can force themselves to appear outgoing (which is what I do in professional environments). What's key is not the exhibited behavior but a) the comfort level the individual has assuming these behaviors, and b) whether they "recharge" being alone or around people.

[hidefwater]

That last part (I did not skip the whole video lol) was incredibly deep. I'll keep in mind how it doesn't make you you. They should put that in a movie or something.

[XanaduZune]

You work at a crisis center? What do you do, cause people to have crises and convince them that suicide is the best answer?

[barcode9588]

lol, not quite.

[AugustusLarch]

That's so goth. You probably dig vampires too.

[NifferandFriends]

btw i would go lesbian for you

[barcode9588]

Err...thanks? Haha...I'll take that as a compliment. I don't bat for that team, but thanks nonetheless.

[AugustusLarch]

You handle people well.

You should run the crisis center.

[NifferandFriends]

i wonder why someone gave me +1

[NifferandFriends]

:) hey barcode. nice discussion. the entp/infp flipping things seems like something i can relate to. by the way, you mentioned something about you working at a crisis centre? what's that all about?

:D btw i work at blenz on burrard and helmcken street now.

[barcode9588]

Blenz on Burrard and Helmcken? Hey, hey maybe I'll drop by and visit you. It was nice seeing you at Starbucks, although I quit that job last week. What can I say...it was a crappy job, and the customers were just insane.

[NifferandFriends]

ahh yeah starbucks isn't that great of a job when you're working post sec :/ less benefits. rofl so crisis centre = starbucks? xD did you give the insane customers therapy?

i'll be working weekends \o/

[12connection]

i just realised that i am maniac, im never down... and i like it..

[AugustusLarch]

We should drink together somtime and get into some serious mischef.

[AugustusLarch]

I used the MBTI to defend myself from misguided mental health treatments.

I used the MBTI to flesh out shadow roles to peform for my nefarious caregivers. This was used as a draw to grant me a position to shift roles as needed. Soon enough I had any and every phychitrist that tried me reeling after so many visits. Somtimes I had sucess after minutes.

The objective: I wanted to give the people hurting me significant emotional and mental damage. I should publish the method.

[AugustusLarch]

Bi- Polar disorder diagnosis is a life long curse for some people. It is for me. I was a stressed out sociopath with a lot of energy. The drugs didn't work on me. They made me worse. I had to act covertly to make my own studies to build a campaign of psychological warfare against my care givers. I went through every psychiritrist in the joint. They wanted to get rid of me fast. They don't want me back again.

Consider that the Meyers-Briggs assesment is an instrument not gospel.

[wheoeee]

You should be a lecturer. You're very good.

[9906197439]

@wheoeee Yes she is. Perfectly explained !