Bipolar or just very INFJ | INFJ Forum

Bipolar or just very INFJ

Discussion in 'Psychology and MBTI' started by Duffy, Aug 30, 2017.

Tags:

Share This Page

Watchers:
This thread is being watched by 5 users.
More threads by Duffy
  1. Duffy

    Duffy Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2017
    Threads:
    2
    Messages:
    8
    Featured Threads:
    1
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Gender:
    Female
    MBTI:
    INFJ
    I've researched quite a bit, on this website, and on Quora and Reddit and there are very little answers available. But I have seen people pose the question of whether there is a link between bipolar 2 and being an INFJ. And I'm wondering the exact same. I understand that bipolar 2 is an actual mental disorder, but I also find so many traits that INFJ's experience that tend to be symptoms of bipolar disorder. Things like INFJ anxiety and depression and how often this can manifest into unhealthy eating disorders, or anything else of similar sort. And from reading on multiple sites - of how INFJ's can also experience insomnia, and racing thoughts which can be linked to a bipolar person't hypomaniac episode maybe ? Themes of saving the world, and feeling perfectionistic. There are so many examples. Like, I myself have witnessed periods of inability to concentrate, and kind of "living in my imagination" as an INFJ could say, sometimes happens. They have lots of similarities, it appears. I know I'm oversimplifying these, but they are there.

    I've always felt, from researching online, that I was bipolar. And I only did an MBTI test this year, that I got INFJ which related to me so perfectly, and I thought maybe there was really nothing wrong with me at all. It was just my "personality" you know? But the thing is, every depressive episode I've had can always be traced back to an episode of hypomania kind of before or after it. And I know self-diagnosis is not the way to go, even if I am sure of my symptoms, but I'm just afraid that if I do go to a psychiatrist and he/she does say I am bipolar.

    Is it because I'm actually bipolar, or am I just misdiagnosed and am just an INFJ, and these are just normal INFJ motions? I was thinking that the way you could differentiate, and I want to ask if with INFJ treatment (meditation, self-reflection, improved habit, knowledge of triggers) if life gets better? Or if INFJ symptoms, like INFJ depression is always going to be there. Because, if it is like that, bipolar as well needs intervention and treatment to make a difference and for things to get better. And it can be even more tricky to tell these two apart. Any thoughts : )
     
    #1 Duffy, Aug 30, 2017
    Siku, BritNi, slant and 1 other person like this.
  2. the

    the Si master race.
    Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Threads:
    479
    Messages:
    14,392
    Featured Threads:
    9
    Likes Received:
    8,768
    Trophy Points:
    1,112
    MBTI:
    ISTJ
    Enneagram:
    9w1
    The earth is bipolar.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #2 the, Aug 30, 2017
    dragulagu and James like this.
  3. James

    James Infamy, infamy.. they've all got it infamy
    Retired Staff

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2009
    Threads:
    121
    Messages:
    5,561
    Featured Threads:
    8
    Likes Received:
    21,569
    Trophy Points:
    3,498
    Gender:
    Male
    MBTI:
    INFJ
    If it's really bothering you, see a professional. But just reading things on the internet, is never going to work out, for such a complex issue.

    Try not to be anxious, even if you were bi polar, getting support would help. Try not to fixate on it. Take care.
     
    #3 James, Aug 31, 2017
    Duffy likes this.
  4. Tracee Benson

    Tracee Benson Two

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2019
    Threads:
    1
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    456
    MBTI:
    INFJ
     
    #4 Tracee Benson, Jul 20, 2019
  5. slant

    slant Ruby Adoraboobie

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Threads:
    327
    Messages:
    9,793
    Featured Threads:
    37
    Likes Received:
    13,327
    Trophy Points:
    1,616
    Gender:
    Female
    MBTI:
    Infp
    Enneagram:
    6-4-9
    You know.

    You're onto something.

    Not necessarily that if you're INFJ you're bipolar but, there is a study I read talking about correlation between certain personality types being more prone to developing complex PTSD than others because of their cognitive stack:

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw0i7FhZpfz9gdT-NyB2zbKc&cshid=1563593825906



    That's not the study I was talking about but I can't find the one I read once.

    The point is, you're making a valid correlation. Just think about it logically: would certain people with common traits be likely to deal with trauma in the same ways because of the way they think and behave? And the answer is yes.

    Does being an INFJ cause bipolar?

    No.

    Is it likely that genetic factors that influence a person to have bipolar traits are the same which give the person an INFJ typing? Yes. If you're wondering if it would be possible to mistype because of this, the answer is yes. My sister who is an ENFP has bipolar 2 and during her depressive stages she would test as INFJ. You got to think of it more like mental illness might cause you to type wrong because you're in your shadow functions, so it's best to test in a healthy mental state.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #5 slant, Jul 20, 2019
  6. BritNi

    BritNi Perceptive Optimist

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2019
    Threads:
    20
    Messages:
    6,853
    Featured Threads:
    16
    Likes Received:
    61,086
    Trophy Points:
    4,182
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    USA
    MBTI:
    INFJ
    Enneagram:
    2w1
    Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood.


    Perhaps it's more likely for an INFJ to be cyclothymic because of Ni-Ti loop. But I don't think that the depressive/manic episodes have anything to do with MBTI type. That's probably why there's little information pertaining to a correlation.

    It's chemical. It's physiological. It's cultural. It's natural (nature/upbringing/experience). There's all kinds of factors, but associating the disorder with being INFJ is unreasonable in my opinion.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #6 BritNi, Aug 15, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
    dragulagu, Sandie33, Ren and 2 others like this.
  7. Siku

    Siku Lightworker/Pagan Newbie
    Donor

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2019
    Threads:
    1
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    384
    Trophy Points:
    812
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Florida
    MBTI:
    INFJ
    Enneagram:
    2w1, 4w5
    Perhaps I'm just projecting or talking from personal experience but I used to think I was Bi-Polar until I realized the triggers and what made me feel the way I did. I know where most of my feelings stem from nowadays and I can change moods rather quickly because of it. Does being self-aware make such a disorder null? Being un-capable of controlling ones moods can just be simple sub-concious passion not wanting to be ignored. Not necessarily un-controllable.

    And it begs the question yet again, is an INFJ being misunderstood? even to themselves?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #7 Siku, Aug 15, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
    Sandie33, BritNi and Wyote like this.
  8. Wyote

    Wyote Xenoi
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2008
    Threads:
    237
    Messages:
    34,987
    Featured Threads:
    18
    Likes Received:
    182,695
    Trophy Points:
    4,271
    Gender:
    Male
    MBTI:
    Ni Space
    Enneagram:
    9 Seas
    INFJ vs Bipolar is a wholly incorrect comparison
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #8 Wyote, Aug 15, 2019
    jkxx, dragulagu, Sandie33 and 3 others like this.
Loading...
Similar Threads - Bipolar very INFJ
  1. chad

    extroverted feeling a very mystical function?

    chad, Jun 8, 2016, in forum: Psychology and MBTI
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    803
    Maikl Jexocuha
    Feb 21, 2020
  2. Lark

    Very poor spatial awareness

    Lark, May 20, 2014, in forum: Psychology and MBTI
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    1,043
    Lark
    May 20, 2014
  3. Rook

    Am I bipolar or what the fuck is wrong with me?

    Rook, Jun 9, 2010, in forum: Psychology and MBTI
    Replies:
    24
    Views:
    5,373
    myself
    Jun 11, 2010
  4. Raccoon Love

    Being Bipolar..

    Raccoon Love, Jan 27, 2010, in forum: Psychology and MBTI
    Replies:
    20
    Views:
    12,146
    TaylorS
    Jan 31, 2010
  5. Raccoon Love

    MBTI and depression/bipolar disorders article.

    Raccoon Love, Oct 7, 2009, in forum: Psychology and MBTI
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    5,105
    anica
    Dec 28, 2009

Share This Page