Are Introverts More Prone to Depression?

I can see why people would think Introverts are more prone to depression, however this is simply not true.

We dip out of the party early. (Or we say we’ll be there and… we know we won’t.)

We have only a few really close friends.

We enjoy spending time alone.

We can be quite the opposite of what society says a “happy” individual should look like.

After all, happy people have lots of friends and enjoy large gatherings.

They carry happy expressions on their faces (instead of the resting “b” face lots of introverts may tend to have).

It’s this “extrovert ideal” that has caused many introverts to feel like something is wrong with us.

There’s an undercurrent of thought that exists that believes it’s better to be extroverted than introverted.

Yes, it looks a little harsh when you put it that way. But this is what society has told us.

It’s better to be an Extrovert than an Introvert.

I guarantee every adult introvert has been told we need to “put ourselves out there.” To “not be so quiet.”

We’ve all been told the proverbial, “you need to come out of the your shell.” Ew! Even typing that makes me itch.

So… Introverts Aren’t Suffering from Depression?

I think Introverts have the same exact chances of being depressed as the average human being.

Sure we get sad from time to time. We mourn losses just like every other human.

However we’re not intrinsically depressed. And that’s what people need to understand.

We’re not sad because we’re alone.

For many of us that is in fact our happy place. And I think it’s just hard for extroverts to understand how you can be happy alone. Because they are not happy alone.

Being in Our Heads a Lot Can Trigger Depression

I have to be honest and say that yes, we do tend to be in our heads a lot. We’re really good at overthinking things.

So I’ll admit that I do think this can be a trigger for depression. At least I know this is the case for me personally.

Oh you didn’t know? There’s always a party going on in our heads, always!

I can be challenged with a situation, and I think of all the ways I should solve it. All the ways I shouldn’t solve it.

What will happen if I don’t solve it. What will happen if the other person doesn’t solve it.

So overanalyzing circumstances or issues I don’t have complete control over can trigger sadness.

If I stay there too long, I can get depressed or sad. However since I know this about myself, I make sure I use tools to stay out of that place. The two biggest tools I use are Self-Care and my Hobbies.

I don’t think overthinking is reserved for Introverts, but I think it’s good to know it can be triggering for us.

Self-Care Can Prevent Depression

Self-Care is so important for Introverts. We need to make sure we maintain good practices that will keep our tanks full and keep us out of life overwhelm and burnout.

However the same can be true for many people who are not introverts. So let’s not buy into the myth that Introverts are more prone to depression because of our dispositions and natural God-given personalities.