Introverts and Depression: Is There a Link and What Should You Do?
photo: Jason H3
Here we go again with another one of those conversations that can have ten different answers – all hypothesized and none really, for sure, proven. Are introverts more depressed?
One study I read points to a possible connection between being both an introverted and a feeling type (per MBTI) and unipolar depression. Another links introversion to suicidal behavior in depressed persons, vs. persons who are depressed but not suicidal (fewer introverts in that group).
OK, is that true? I don’t know. If you pay attention to this studies, then I guess it is. But I’ve also read small blurbs that say these connection are still very fuzzy, if at all existent.
Some seem to think that depression isn’t connected to introversion, as in a cause of depression, but that being depressed, no matter what type of personality you have, can cause isolation (which looks to some people an awful lot like introversion). So it’s all very much up in the air.
Still, it’s obvious that there are introverts out there that are suffering from depression. The causes are varied. Some are depressed because their life is out of balance (whether they realize it or not). Some are depressed because they have a chemical imbalance. Some are depressed because they are stressed to the max with this stinking world economy and who knows what else. So the rest of this post is going to focus on depression and what to do about it.
What is depression anyway? What does it look like? According to mental health.com, the symptoms of depression can include:
* Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
* Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
* Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
* Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
* Restlessness, irritability
* Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
It’s obviously more than the blues, or feeling crappy because you had a bad day. And it’s obviously not something to be played around with. I’m not a fan of drugs (prescription or otherwise). However, I’m going to say right now that if you need to see a doctor and get a prescription because you have depression and it’s disrupting your life, then do it. BUT, don’t do only that. Find ways to deal with the root of the problem, so that you can eventually stop taking anti-depressants if possible.
You all know that I’m not a doctor, or a psychiatrist, or a therapist. So I’m not considered an authority or expert. But, I have a close relative who suffers from bipolar mood disorder. I have another close relative who suffers from clinical depression. I myself suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which can cause severe depression during the dark months of the year.
In the case of bipolar mood disorder, which hasn’t been linked to introversion by the way, there is a chemical imbalance in the brain that sets off both manic and depressive episodes. I’ve seen the effects of this and it’s frightening. From my own experience, I would never advocate trying to handle bipolar mood disorder without the assistance of medication to help level off the out-of-control chemicals. However, it’s essential to add counseling and possibly other therapies to the mix. Dietary changes can even help people with bipolar mood disorder, as can other habit changes.
Depression, depending upon the severity and origins may also require medication. There is no shame in this. But again, a vital part of the strategy for treating depression, whether chronic or associated with seasonal affective disorder or another cause, should be complimentary therapies that may, over time, reduce or eliminate the need for medication.
In my own case, with seasonal affective disorder, which also wreaks havoc with brain chemicals, I’ve always chosen to “tough it out” and override my depressed feelings with logic. This year, I consulted a certified naturopath and got good results. My SAD has never gotten to the point of suicidal thoughts or anything like that – it’s mild compared to what many people go through. But it’s enough to make a couple months of each year really difficult.
Causes of depression can be biological, as already mentioned. and these biological causes may run in families. I can vouch for that. Other causes of depression can be chronic stress, childhood or recent trauma, health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, feelings of isolation and loneliness and hormonal factors (post-partum depression, for example).
What can be done about depression?
- Go to the doctor and get a physical to rule out physical conditions. Talk to him or her not only about any physical problems you’re having, but your emotions and feelings, too. Sometimes people don’t want to tell their doctor (or anyone else) just how low they’re feeling. But in order to get a grip on the depression that has it’s grip on you, you need to be honest. Many doctors love to prescribe drugs. If you’re uncomfortable with this, ask about other ways that you can try first to relieve your depression, such as exercise, dietary changes, and holistic remedies. Remember that it’s essential to find and understand the root cause of your depression. This will help you choose the best treatment plan (the best treatment plan isn’t always prescription drugs) or combination of treatments.
- If your depression is severe enough to really disrupt your life, a prescription will probably help, especially when combined with other depression relieving strategies, such as counseling.
- Visit a certified naturopath to find out what holistic remedies may help.
- Combine drug therapy or holistic therapy with counseling or talk therapy. It’s important to do this to find and treat possible root causes of your depression and to help you develop healthy ways for dealing with depression (see if you can find a therapist who understands the differences in personality types – this might help him or her understand better how to approach and help you).
- If you’re abusing drugs and or alcohol, stop. I know, easier said than done. Do what you can to get help.
- Take care of your physical health. Really pay attention to eating the healthiest diet that you can, getting enough physical exercise and sleep, and not over-taxing your immune system (for introverts, this means getting the renewal time that you need).
- Remember that even introverts need a strong support network. Don’t completely isolate yourself from family and friends. Allow a circle of trusted people around you that respect your needs as an introvert, but who also understand that you need help in the form of friendly support. Even we want someone to talk to once in a while.
- Do what you can to create balance in your life. When you’re working all the time, your family and social life suffers (yep, even introverts need to be social sometimes). When your financial situation is completely out of whack, everything else suffers (I know right now everyone’s financial situation is out of whack – mine, too!). When your physical health or spiritual life isn’t right, other areas of life suffers. Everything is connected. Try to gently guide things back into a better balance, so you feel more balanced overall.
Now all this help sounds wonderful doesn’t it. It’s great for me to sit here at my computer and tell you to go to the doctor and then go find a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist, and then visit the naturopath and wrap up with detox and a gym membership. Not all of us can do that because not all of us can afford it! Especially if you’re living in the US, unless you’ve got some killer health insurance that covers mental health care, you’re out of luck.
So what can you do if you’re suffering from depression and you just don’t have a lot of resources available to you? Get in touch with non-profit organizations in your city, county and state. See if your county or state government offers assistance. Call depression help-lines – often they can point you to helpful agencies where you live. They can also help you better understand what’s happening and what your options are.
For a list of depression websites and help lines, try this link.
If you’re feeling suicidal, call this number – RIGHT NOW:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (in the US) is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It’s available 24 hours a day, every day.
For help with substance abuse issues, try this link to find treatment programs near you.
Whether it’s related to being introverted or not, depression isn’t a joke and it’s not something to be played with. If you’re feeling more than a ’bout of the blues, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
On a lighter note: I’m inviting you to let me know what you want to read about in this blog. Give me your ideas – no guarantees that I will do them all, but I’d love to know what introvert topics you’d like to see.
Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to share/save/bookmark and of course, subscribe!
As a fellow SAD sufferer, I highly recomend getting your vitamin D level checked.
@Mary – Yes. Vitamin D ended up playing an important role this winter in the plan of action my naturopath developed for me. I am really grateful that my SAD is quite short-lived, usually only from the end of December to the end of February. Those can be a looong eight or so weeks!
Hi Lee Ann,
A post like this is very timely. As the world economy implodes, more and more people will be facing problems they have never encountered. This combines with a fairly large population suffering from depression already.
I doubt that introversion is a root cause of depression but it may be that introverts who are depressed suffer more deeply. Since we are prone to draw inward anyway, our depressive states may be more harmful than for an extrovert who is more likely to reach out to a circle of friends.
Sadly, there is no simple answer as you say. Finding help can be difficult and expensive. It is critical, especially for the introvert, to reach out to someone. For those who don’t have someone to talk to, caution should be taken when reaching out to the digital world. There are many empathetic people on the web but also a lot of down right idiots.
Most depression will pass. Seek help when it doesn’t.
Until we stop sweeping mental health issues under the carpet, people will continue to suffer needlessly.
Namaste,
Roger
@Roger – I think you may be right that introverts suffer more deeply. I suppose it’s because we’re less likely to try to ignore and cover it over – because we naturally try to think deeply about what’s going on in our lives. And we are probably less likely to reach out. I know for myself, it’s difficult to tell people when I’m in pain, but I have extroverted friends who will tell everyone they’re in pain – not that it’s wrong to do that – it’s how they vent it out and off – we don’t always share that same capacity for venting because we tend towards being so private.
Thanks for your comment – mental health is grievously ignored in the US – probably the rest of the world as well.
Hi Lee Ann,
Could you write more about your SAD and how you’ve dealt with it? How do you know you have it, and that it’s the season that’s causing it (you may simply be older than me and have had more experience with it)? And what did the naturopath suggest, and how has it worked, if you don’t mind sharing?
Thanks,
-Kriti
@Kriti – Up until this year, I literally talked myself through my bouts with SAD. This year was worse for me and I finally decided that I needed to take more action.
SAD usually takes hold during the cold and dark winter months, and it’s theorized that a lack of natural sunlight is the problem. For some of us, that’s enough to throw us into depression. I’m lucky because it doesn’t hit me until late December and lasts only about two months. Some people feel it as early as October or even September (I’m referring to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere).
My naturopath gave me a comprehensive check up to rule out other problems. She did find that my adrenals were pretty screwed up (stress), so she treated both my adrenal problem (with an herbal supplement and a vitamin B complex), and addressed the SAD issue with vitamin D, exercise recommendations, some dietary changes and a light box, which simulates natural sunlight.
The treatment worked well with me, although it didn’t lift the depression 100%, I felt a great improvement. Here in Michigan, our winter days are so cold, overcast and gloomy, that sunlight is in very short supply. I believe that the light box and vitamin D helped immensely, as did working on the issues with my adrenals. I also know that regular exercise helps with relieving both stress and depression.
Hope this helps!
Well, I just found it!! Im an introvert!! N I know Why!!
) The reason is lesser life experience!! Early familiarization of hated realities can make one an introvert!! Best treatment for introversion is to find peace in da heart being all alone n after taking some time, try to enter life as a more mature being!! 
My reason is being too much social once!! Im sick of people n love to be alone, in my own thoughts n do what is required from me!!! I till now dont know whats the terminology for being social!!
Too much life experience before its time can also cause introversion!! Like it is said “As happy as a baby” (Pl correct me if its wrong baby = child
Regards
@ Baghi – I do agree that life’s experiences can make someone withdraw and seem introverted, but there is good evidence that introverts are born introverted. I also think that since introverts are such deep thinkers, it’s possible that we can be more affected by life’s experiences – both the good and bad.
Introversion doesn’t need to be changed, but it seems like you are saying that finding peace in the heart and having some alone time gives the introvert the advantage of a more practical and mature outlook on life. Introspection will do that for sure.
I have recently come to believe that I am an extreme introvert. All I ever do is think and think and analyze and worry about senseless things. Things are to the point now where I’ts taking over my daily abilities to function comfortably. Its as if there is a cloud in my forehead. I have a great desire to be an extroverted person! Is there a way to “switch over”???
Joe: If you are thinking and analyzing and worrying about senseless things to the point where it’s taking over your daily ability to function, you need to check with a counselor or your doctor as a first step. I’m both an introvert and a person with anxiety/panic disorder and I can tell you that what you’re experiencing is not a result of introversion–something else is going on. Please check with your doc first or ask for a referral to a mental health professional – they can help, believe me! I wouldn’t still be alive on this planet if not for that intervention back in 1992. You’re in my thoughts and prayers…Joana