I think I'm turning into an INFP. HELP!

[Xenophon]

Hello everyone. I was thinking about registering on this board about half a year ago when I was still slightly INTP, but I took a test yesterday, and I think I have finally become a feeling type.

When I was growing up, I always knew that I was an INTP, my parents tested me when I was 10 years and I was a very strong INTP in all aspects. When I finished high school, where I thought everything but math and physics was a waste of time, I went directly into Mechanical Engineering at University of Toronto. I'm now in my fourth year there, thinking about where to go to grad school.

I am VERY dominantly intuitive, and growing up I was the big smelly kid in class. I pretended that I didn't care that lots of people made fun of me, and to be honest, most of the time I didn't care. I just ignored all the assholes and only ever communicated with a few close friends.

During my second year of university, I had a crush on a girl who I had been friends with a few years, and she started going out with my roommate. I had never told her about my feelings for her, so I knew it was neither of their faults, but I became very depressed and angry at the two of them. Of course, being an INTP I couldn't think of any rational reason for feeling hurt. It was my own fault that the situation had developed how it had. My inability to come to terms with my feelings sent me deeper and deeper into depression. Luckily, I have a very strong impulse to learn, so I started reading books on psychology, and reading, and reading. I started to realize that humans are not rational creatures, and to try to understand them using rational analysis is an ultimately futile undertaking. I started reading Jung, and I realized that basing my actions on subjective criteria rather than objective criteria isn't neccesarily a bad thing.

I think that I have finally turned from an INTP to being an INFP now. Not because I have lost the ability to rationally analyze things, but because I realize now, that the rational explanation is not always the correct explanation.

So that's me. I hope to add my 2 cents to some of the discussions around here. I find all the topics that I have seen very intriguing.

Xenophon

[Melody]

i agree with that

[purple13]

I can identify with that. I always tested INTP, but recently tested INFP. Seemed my bout of depression was the turning point. And likewise was over a girl too.
Welcome to the board.

[int]

...Not because I have lost the ability to rationally analyze things, but because I realize now, that the rational explanation is not always the correct explanation.



I believe that to be true (well, I know it to be true, actually) and still test as an INTP.

Welcome. :)

[Jezebel]

...Not because I have lost the ability to rationally analyze things, but because I realize now, that the rational explanation is not always the correct explanation.



I believe that to be true (well, I know it to be true, actually) and still test as an INTP.

Welcome. :)

me too, it all depends on the situation

hi Xenophon

[MacGuffin]

I am close to the T/F border myself. I feel that I am more F than ever. Of course, I think I have always been a bit more sensitive than the average INTP.

Nothing wrong with F. Being totally T, I think, can be a huge handicap for human relations. Like Kirk was always trying to explain to Spock, logic is not always the best course of action.




During my second year of university

It is called college you dumb Canucks! ;P :D

[booyalab]

Just because your feeling function is developing that doesn't mean you're turning into a 'feeler'. Just because you're learning that not all decisions need to be made on a rational basis doesn't mean your thinking function is getting weaker. Someone can be a thinker and still recognize that they can't use the same criteria for the right course of action in every situation. But most people are simply better at recognizing the right way to make certain types of choices more than others.

Here's a good question for finding out once and for all which one you are.
If your house was burning down and you could grab 3 things which would they be? (if all 3 are practical, you're a thinker. if all 3 are sentimental you're a feeler. Then of course you might have somewhere in between, but the odd number prevents fence-sitting. mwahaha)

[flan2dave]

No, a thinker will save the sentimental items because everything else can be replaced.

[booyalab]

No, a thinker will save the sentimental items because everything else can be replaced.

I bet you're close to the t/f border. Am I right? Of course ID cards and money and keys can be replaced, eventually. (so can pleasant memories) But a thinker who's considering this scenario is going to make a choice that will make the events following the fire proceed more efficiently. A feeler who's considering the situation probably assumes someone will help them and wants the objects that trigger good emotions and nice memories in midst of all the chaos.

[HairlessBluetick]

No, a thinker will save the sentimental items because everything else can be replaced.

I bet you're close to the t/f border. Am I right? Of course ID cards and money and keys can be replaced, eventually. (so can pleasant memories) But a thinker who's considering this scenario is going to make a choice that will make the events following the fire proceed more efficiently. A feeler who's considering the situation probably assumes someone will help them and wants the objects that trigger good emotions and nice memories in midst of all the chaos.

Those are some pretty wide generalizations... myself, I'd take the sentimental items. Frankly I think taking "practical" things is more of a Sensor thing than a Thinker thing.

[Claverhouse]

No, a thinker will save the sentimental items because everything else can be replaced.

I bet you're close to the t/f border. Am I right? Of course ID cards and money and keys can be replaced, eventually. (so can pleasant memories) But a thinker who's considering this scenario is going to make a choice that will make the events following the fire proceed more efficiently. A feeler who's considering the situation probably assumes someone will help them and wants the objects that trigger good emotions and nice memories in midst of all the chaos.

Many things are irreplacable. It would be more use to take the 19th century family album and the most cherished books you have, than to seize the common objects such as a radio or tv or blankets. Efficiency is secondary to desire. Anyway, the objects most people are now surrounded by are 20th century crap and have no intrinsic merit: therefore they should be sacrificed for the good stuff.

How do you 'replace memories' ? Anyway, faced with the fact that if you live long enough you'll forget everything, memories are not as useful as having the actual things about you still.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[flan2dave]

A feeler would also choose to take things that will make a fire accident proceed efficiently after the fact. They'll think (or feel, sometimes I get sick of deciding between these words ;) ): "This is a serious situation, I need to place my sentimentality aside for a moment so everyone can be safe and get their lives back on track once its over, including myself." I'm sure grabbing one's wallet, for instance, is a priority for T or F, before considering non-essential items that can be weighted between sentimentality and practicality.

Maybe if you are talking about saving their work (art, research, etc.), which would differ depending on the personality. In this case, it's not necessary to factor in the fire, you can just as well ask what are their interests/work.

I don't think I'm on the T/F border...or maybe I should say I don't feel like I'm on the T/F border... :blink:

[booyalab]

I guess we haven't agreed upon what thinkers and feelers would take with them in this emergency. But I think we can probably agree that INTPs would stand there debating what to take until their clothes catch on fire.

"no I think they'd wait until their hair was in flames..."

"maybe they'd make up their mind when it gets too difficult to breathe because of the smoke"

"I bet an intp would instead find a way to put the fire out"

[songbird36]

I don't agree Boo.

In most cases the thinker would be focused on saving their skin and therefore (very sensibly) wouldn't take anything they weren't wearing!

:-)

[flan2dave]

"But I think we can probably agree that INTPs would stand there debating what to take until their clothes catch on fire."

Without a doubt. :rofl:

[Melody]

maybe if i had a loved one i would make sure i had them

otherwise i would leave everything

[songbird36]

Hey Melody if you're sparing a passing thought for your loved one you're probably an "F" not a "T".

Hehe..

[SheepDog]

I see the development of my Feeling traits as an AND, not an OR. It's part of the journey.

[songbird36]

Yup OK Sheep.

Guess I forgot to put the "tongue in cheek" emoticon in that one!

[spirilis]

A-men. (or A-woman?)

[SheepDog]

Funny, I was talking about the whole thread, songbird, but I guess I wasn't clear. <lol>

One of the problems I've had with some of the MBTI "theories" is that they seem more formulaic (patterned) than actually based on real cases. The F nature of INTP's is one. Sure, it's a funny generalization to say that INTPs lack empathy or attention to the emotional side of issues. But I've heard it mentioned by many, many INTPs that their F development has caused ambiguity in type. Based on the theory, it would seem that INxP would extremely be rare, because for INTP, the T is primary, followed by N, S, then F. The theory states that the F traits would be last to develop. I don't think that experience matches that theory.

I do think that the stereotype of the unfeeling INTP affects us and causes us to want to develop our Feeling side, and I think this causes the deviation from the theory. In contrast, I don't think most of us think we need to work on being more literal (S). :)

[songbird36]

Interesting. I'm not sure I understood all of that.

Do you mean that our "I" function is dominant over, or more significant than, the others? If that is true, I think I'd have to agree from my own experience.

In another discussion forum we're having a debate about communication. From my own experience I have noticed that the "N" vs "S" distinction is far more apparent to me in my dealings with others, than any other distinction (such as I vs E or T vs F). I find I can tell almost immediately whether someone is an "S" or an "N" from their communication style, and I find it a lot more difficult to converse with "S" people as the conversation has to proceed in a much more linear fashion, and everything must be described and explained in more detail.

Subject matter is also usually different - an "S" person often prefers to talk about "things, people and events" rather than abstract concepts and ideas. Boredom can set in reasonably quickly for me.

With a fellow "N" the conversation flows - we make the intuitive leaps from topic to topic and concept to concept, together. I actively seek these people out and when I find them, it's as if the sun's come out suddenly.

[Xenophon]

From my understanding of Jung's Typology work, he said that each person had a dominant function called the "Primary Function", opposite of which was a persons "Inferior Function", and then the other two are known as the "Auxilliary Functions". They arrange themselves in a cross with a Sensing - Intuition pole and a Feeling - Thinking pole. If you find that you can immediately tell whether someone is a Sensing or Intuitive type, then you are probably dominantly intuitive. If someone was primarily a Thinker they would have a harder time dealing with feeling types than intuitives/sensers.

[songbird36]

Ah- well that all makes sense!

Thanks

[candela]

Logically speaking, if the logical decision isn't the right decision, there is an error in your logic.

Be sure you're including all relevant information.

Speaking of personality transformations, I get pretty INTJish sometimes.

[Jezebel]

Here's a good question for finding out once and for all which one you are.
If your house was burning down and you could grab 3 things which would they be? (if all 3 are practical, you're a thinker. if all 3 are sentimental you're a feeler. Then of course you might have somewhere in between, but the odd number prevents fence-sitting. mwahaha)

I think this might be more accurate if you use a non emergency situation. Lets say you're going to a deserted island for a month and will have only your basic needs taken care of. You're allowed to take 3 items with you-- will they be sentimental or practical?

Not that I think that is a sure way to determine anything. I think in an emergency situation, even a high amount of thinkers will go for the sentimental items because we know we can replace the other things. In a temporary situation, I think thinkers are more likely to be able to put their sentiments to the side.

[candela]

It wouldn't really be any better for a deserted island. No one is going to bring sentimental items.

How about just going away somewhere for half a year?

[Jezebel]

It wouldn't really be any better for a deserted island. No one is going to bring sentimental items.

How about just going away somewhere for half a year?

By deserted, I mean you're alone, but basic needs are taken care of so you don't need to take things just to survive. If you don't understand why anyone would want to take something sentimental, then you're obviously not a feeler ;P

[candela]

Oh, I didn't see that part. Yeah, I guess that situation could work then.

[MasterMerk]

I'm not entirely sold on the idea that anyone can "turn" from INTP to INFP. While one can be mistaken for the other, an actual change in temperament would be a huge leap. INFP's are so much different on the inside than INTP's.

I mistook myself for an INTP for months. I still didn't feel as though I represented me 100%, always had a little unease about whether it did or not. I started to look around myself and decide from the descriptions which group I would fall into.

Here are some things you might compare to yourself if you believe yourself to be an INFP:

*While I do share some INTP characteristics (as you might), I still don't look at something and ask "why?" in the same way. I do that with some things, such as people (always trying to figure out why people do the things they do), but my mind wanders to fantasy and dreams more than the "whys and how’s” of the world around me. Sometimes I wish (he he PRIME EXAMPLE) I didn't have the introverted feeling, I would be a much happier person if I could accept reality as it is, and not internally "wish" for something better.

*INFP's are also self-critical, perfectionist people. Rarely will an INFP let himself feel at total success (e.g. When I found out I had achieved 100% in my English exam, I didn't feel glad or relieved - "It's not over yet."). There is always a sense of impending failure keeping the INFP on his toes, "Will I do good enough in school?", "Even if I study 4 hours a day, there’s always someone who knows more, or is naturally smarter than I am." Perfection CAN be improved upon, because once a highly esteemed goal actually IS reached, there are always ways it could be better. This is a common thing for INFP's, who often go through life dissatisfied, feeling something is missing in some way or another, even when they appear to "have it made" for those easier to please types.

*INFP's can be remarkable writers with developed literacy skills, and naturally adept at conjuring immersing stories and characters, often running them through their head in a dreamy state - much like their fantasies. With further developed extraverted intuition, the INFP can become extremely perceptive to the feelings and motivations of other human beings(all the INFP's I've talked to have some degree of interest in human psychology - coincidence?)

*The INFP you may notice, has a lot of issues. To my understanding, I am at my best when I am making progress to my selected goals, fighting for what I believe in. This is why INFP's are commonly referred to as "questors", because this is where they are when they feel most at ease. An INFP's quest is never truly finished, but at least they can make a difference in others eyes. My advise to fellow INFP's is to always keep looking forward, but take time off and at least attempt to taste the fruits of glory once in a while. You must not let yourself become overwhelmed when things don’t go exactly how you had dreamed. Keep an eye on the track and keep progressing. This may sound like you must turn into a J, but don’t sweat it.

*Some say the INFP has the ability to masquerade in an ESTJ business suit. I don't have enough experience to personally confirm this, but I'm eager to find out.

If you share the attributes listed above, you too may be an INFP (I think a few of you may be, as I was, mistaken to your actual type).

I don't know about you, but I find this all much different than the inner workings of the INTP. One of my friends is an INTP (albeit a less noticeable one, because he fits into no stereotype), and he is alike me in many ways, and yet different. I'm idealistic, and his feet are sold on the real. It's probably not strange, how I seem to be the main motivator of the two P's, given my high goals. He is also less forgiving/more critical than I am, and more indecisive. While he displays an active interest in figuring out "why" things are, I don't really care that much - but pick it up anyway in my "quest" for self-adjustment in the world. :p

[NGene]

I think that I have finally turned from an INTP to being an INFP now. Not because I have lost the ability to rationally analyze things, but because I realize now, that the rational explanation is not always the correct explanation.
To me, that doesn't sound like "becoming an INFP," it sounds more like "personal growth" and "development." B)

When an individual becomes more mature, their personality will very likely become more balanced when the person realizes their most natural style of perceiving the world and processing information isn't the only valid one.

Like MasterMerk, I'm skeptical about the idea that someone can change their temperaments. It could be that you're just an INTP with a well developed Feeling side, or an INFP who was mistyped as an INTP.

[Xenophon]

Thanks for the insights guys. I like what you have to say MasterMerk, but sadly it hasn't helped me figure out what I am, I seem to be stuck right in the middle.


*While I do share some INTP characteristics (as you might), I still don't look at something and ask "why?" in the same way. I do that with some things, such as people (always trying to figure out why people do the things they do), but my mind wanders to fantasy and dreams more than the "whys and how’s” of the world around me. Sometimes I wish (he he PRIME EXAMPLE) I didn't have the introverted feeling, I would be a much happier person if I could accept reality as it is, and not internally "wish" for something better.

I am and have always been a dreamer. I suppose that I do dream about "whys and hows", but I often just go beyond anything that seems possible to understand. I am an engineering student, and I can tell you that I REALLY like engineering. I will stick my head into an engineering textbook and read it for hours without distraction. But I refuse to take notes, it is only about the attainment of knowledge. I will sit there and dream about anything from a great robotic control system to a creating a communist university-enclave.



*INFP's are also self-critical, perfectionist people. Rarely will an INFP let himself feel at total success (e.g. When I found out I had achieved 100% in my English exam, I didn't feel glad or relieved - "It's not over yet."). There is always a sense of impending failure keeping the INFP on his toes, "Will I do good enough in school?", "Even if I study 4 hours a day, there’s always someone who knows more, or is naturally smarter than I am." Perfection CAN be improved upon, because once a highly esteemed goal actually IS reached, there are always ways it could be better. This is a common thing for INFP's, who often go through life dissatisfied, feeling something is missing in some way or another, even when they appear to "have it made" for those easier to please types.

Again, I feel like I am somewhere in between. I have never been a great student in the traditional sense (as I said, I don't take notes, and I rarely do all the homework), but I have done quite well in class. That being said, I am obsessed with personal development. I spend all my time doing something that will make me a better person. That is why I do well on tests, but poorly on assignments. I find that most things are a waste of time if they don't have to do with self-improvement. I don't really have this fear of other people being better than me though (though I will probalby go haywire if someone questions my principles)


*INFP's can be remarkable writers with developed literacy skills, and naturally adept at conjuring immersing stories and characters, often running them through their head in a dreamy state - much like their fantasies. With further developed extraverted intuition, the INFP can become extremely perceptive to the feelings and motivations of other human beings(all the INFP's I've talked to have some degree of interest in human psychology - coincidence?)

After three years of technical classes at my school, engineers are allowed to take an elective in their fourth year. I had to jump through many hoops, and fight with many people to get into a Jung course that I really wanted to take. I find it one of the most fascinating courses that I have ever taken (probably just behind thermodynamics). Lately I think that I have become much more perceptive to the moods and motives of the people around me, but it is often hard to tell in the end if you were right.

Anyways, I'm not sure that I really want to try to fit myself into a MBTI shell, rather I think I will just keep trying to understand my motives in a more general sense. Here is a section from the Prophet by Kahlil Gibran that I think might have some insight into the difference between INFP's and INTP's. Tell me what you think.


And the priestess spoke again and said:

"Speak to us of Reason and Passion."

And he answered saying:

Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against passion and your appetite.

Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.

But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?

Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.

If either your sails or our rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.

For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.

Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion; that it may sing;

And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.

I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guests in your house.

Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and the faith of both.

Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, "God rests in reason."

And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, - then let your heart say in awe, "God moves in passion."

And since you are a breath In God's sphere, and a leaf in God's forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.
[/quote]

[SheepDog]

Anyways, I'm not sure that I really want to try to fit myself into a MBTI shell, rather I think I will just keep trying to understand my motives in a more general sense.
I think that is a wonderful idea.

[flan2dave]

There are some things about the INFP description that can be interpreted as like me, other things not so much. As to be expected when personality matches three out of four. I can say the same for the other three permutations: ENTP, ISTP, INTJ. At some point I entertained the possibility of being each of these types (never a two out of four type, I guess in hindsight you can surmise those were too far off base for me to consider).

[cjs55]

I am so much like the orinigal poster its somewhat scary, even with his description of depression and why he was depressed (I had the same problem with my best friends girlfriend...those were definitely the worst 6 months of my life). I really seem to be exactly inbetween INTP and INFP types based on MasterMerks description. If I had to use two words to describe myself they would analyst and dreamer. I have large capabilities in the field of writing due to the INTP/INFP split, one second I can write to be coherent and the next I can write for pure emotional purposes.

I clearly tested as an INTP when younger, but by the end of high school/beginning of college was almost an INFP. I really think this is due to falling in love with music, poetry, and people. I just fall into total subjective joy at points...and these are the idealized inexplicable innerworkings of an INFP.

Also, I've never been even close to any other type other than INTP or INFP. My other functions are neglected almost to the point of detriment.

[NGene]

Anyways, I'm not sure that I really want to try to fit myself into a MBTI shell, rather I think I will just keep trying to understand my motives in a more general sense.
I think that is a wonderful idea.
I'll second that! :cheers:

That's what makes the MBTI so useful - it's a tool that helps you understand yourself and other people. There's no sense trying to put yourself into a box, especially when there are only 16 boxes.

[synchronous]

I am so much like the orinigal poster its somewhat scary, even with his description of depression and why he was depressed (I had the same problem with my best friends girlfriend...those were definitely the worst 6 months of my life). I really seem to be exactly inbetween INTP and INFP types based on MasterMerks description. If I had to use two words to describe myself they would analyst and dreamer. I have large capabilities in the field of writing due to the INTP/INFP split, one second I can write to be coherent and the next I can write for pure emotional purposes.

I clearly tested as an INTP when younger, but by the end of high school/beginning of college was almost an INFP. I really think this is due to falling in love with music, poetry, and people. I just fall into total subjective joy at points...and these are the idealized inexplicable innerworkings of an INFP.

Also, I've never been even close to any other type other than INTP or INFP. My other functions are neglected almost to the point of detriment.

I've been thinking about this INTP/INFP split as well. I've been examining how the Enneagram correlates with MBTI. For example, a 5W4 experiences tensions between the Head Triad and the Heart Triad. It would seem likely that a 5w4 would test low in the T department in an MBTI test, reflecting a parallel experience of tensions between INTP and INFP, having a little bit of both. A 5w6 on the other hand, has both feet in the Head Triad and more penchant for theory, sequential thinking and follow through(?). It could be possible that 5w6 types would result in a higher T score. In any case, these are just informal observations and ramblings.

EDIT: I'll add that not all 5W4s are INTPs and not all 4s are INFPs, so, this may not be the case for all of this E-subtype. Just for some.

[Chaos Symphony]

I've been thinking about this INTP/INFP split as well. I've been examining how the Enneagram correlates with MBTI. For example, a 5W4 experiences tensions between the Head Triad and the Heart Triad. It would seem likely that a 5w4 would test low in the T department in an MBTI test, reflecting a parallel experience of tensions between INTP and INFP, having a little bit of both. A 5w6 on the other hand, has both feet in the Head Triad and more penchant for theory, sequential thinking and follow through(?). It could be possible that 5w6 types would result in a higher T score. In any case, these are just informal observations and ramblings.

EDIT: I'll add that not all 5W4s are INTPs and not all 4s are INFPs, so, this may not be the case for all of this E-subtype. Just for some.

There's also the fact that the SX instinctual variant further boosts the emotional aspect of any Enneagram type... For a formerly pure-rational 5w4, having the drive for intensity and intimacy make itself known so painfully just might be the trigger needed to swing the balances toward the Heart Triad. In experiencing that sort of emotional growth (apparently /traumatic/, if the accounts are any indication), perspectives seem to take the slight shift needed to open Feeling as a means of evaluating the world. But rationality cannot merely be abandoned... A lifetime had been spent employing logical, analytical thought, and it was undoubtedly highly valued. In holding on to hard reason, while at the same time craving more of the abstract world of passion and meaning, it seems we reach a sort of shaky equilibrium...

It's interesting that there are so many accounts here of this happening... And all of them seem to have depression as a common factor. In my case, it took a complete mental breakdown at 15, and four years of depression, mental chaos, and a slight touch of madness, to get to the point where I am now. Quite the little journey for me, and seemingly well worth it. Balances are just so much... /fun/ to explore, after all...

Hush makes a very good point in noting that Intuition might be far more prominent than the standard INTP function hierarchy indicates. I would say, easily, that the Ne process is dominant for me. It's the only constant, even as T and F fluctuate behind it, and any sort of Sensing is weakest of all... Doesn't fit the MBTI structure, but my experience and information so far seem to support it. The only thing is that the boxes have to be custom-cut now...

[Xenophon]

This is interesting, because I believe that Jung went through a similar breakdown after his split from Freud. He went crazy for a few years before he really developed his theories of Symbols, Typology, and Individuation. I haven't looked into the exact details much. I'll write some more when I have gotten a chance to read about it. (Or someone who is more familiar with what I am talking about can fill us in.)

[synchronous]

There's also the fact that the SX instinctual variant further boosts the emotional aspect of any Enneagram type... For a formerly pure-rational 5w4, having the drive for intensity and intimacy make itself known so painfully just might be the trigger needed to swing the balances toward the Heart Triad. In experiencing that sort of emotional growth (apparently /traumatic/, if the accounts are any indication), perspectives seem to take the slight shift needed to open Feeling as a means of evaluating the world. But rationality cannot merely be abandoned... A lifetime had been spent employing logical, analytical thought, and it was undoubtedly highly valued. In holding on to hard reason, while at the same time craving more of the abstract world of passion and meaning, it seems we reach a sort of shaky equilibrium...

Yes, the SX variant certainly does boost the emotional aspect. The expansion of F or the swing closer to the Heart Triad can be experienced as a normal process of development as you mature, as well as triggered by a traumatic event at a younger age, say. But, agreed, you will still swivel around the Ne/Ti axis. I've recently joined an INFP forum to explore the differences in these two types. There are definitely some common themes, but there are INFP core aspects I cannot relate to. Many INFPs enjoy interests in counseling, writing and poetry - mostly interests revolving around people, service and feelings. While I've dabbled in poetry and fictional writing from time to time, and helped out friends to sort out problems, I have absolutely, positively no desire to make any of these a lifelong interest or career.



It's interesting that there are so many accounts here of this happening... And all of them seem to have depression as a common factor. In my case, it took a complete mental breakdown at 15, and four years of depression, mental chaos, and a slight touch of madness, to get to the point where I am now. Quite the little journey for me, and seemingly well worth it. Balances are just so much... /fun/ to explore, after all...

Yes, I've experienced a similar journey. One of my biggest issues was seeing and understanding things others did not, and not having enough confidence to trust my observations.



Hush makes a very good point in noting that Intuition might be far more prominent than the standard INTP function hierarchy indicates. I would say, easily, that the Ne process is dominant for me. It's the only constant, even as T and F fluctuate behind it, and any sort of Sensing is weakest of all... Doesn't fit the MBTI structure, but my experience and information so far seem to support it. The only thing is that the boxes have to be custom-cut now...

Yes, I agree. I'd say Ne is dominant for me as well.