Which Myers-Briggs® Persona Varieties Are Most Liable to Unhappiness?

Is there any relationship between unhappiness and your Myers-Briggs® persona sort? I lately carried out a survey with over 5,000 respondents. Within the survey, one of many questions I requested was, “What emotion do you expertise most repeatedly?” There have been 21 choices for folks to select from, starting from “Pleasure” to “Contentment” to “Pessimism.” Unhappiness was a kind of 21 choices, and I urged survey respondents to pick out solely the highest 1-3 feelings they skilled most.

Right now we’re going to discover the outcomes of that survey, and among the feedback that individuals who took the survey left as insights into their emotions. Let’s get began!

Undecided what your persona sort is? Take our new persona questionnaire right here. Or you possibly can take the official MBTI® right here.

Which Myers-Briggs® Persona Varieties Are Most Liable to Unhappiness?

Estimated studying time: 13 minutes

1. ISTJ – 8.15%

ISTJs are often the regular, dependable ones. They’re not the categories to put on their hearts on their sleeves. As a substitute, they have an inclination to push their emotions apart whereas there’s work to be finished, solely unlocking them and lifting them out once they’re absolutely alone and in a position to course of with out worry of judgment or publicity.

My grandfather was an ISTJ. He was at all times regular and considerate. Nothing appeared to rattle him. However he was additionally essentially the most nostalgic, sentimental, type particular person I’ve recognized. I do know that in his extra personal moments he allowed himself to really feel issues that he not often confirmed to others. However I seen that when he would get emotional, he’d simply get quiet, smile, and preserve it contained.

Beneath their calm exterior, ISTJs typically are extra delicate than they seem. “I really feel like I’ve to maintain it collectively for everybody else,” one ISTJ instructed me. One other mentioned, “I wouldn’t say I’m a tragic particular person, per se. However I’ve to course of each the great and the unhealthy, I can’t ignore it.” And one other acknowledged, “I’m really actually delicate. I cry actually simply however I don’t wish to present it. I can really feel deeply moved by an insurance coverage industrial, a children film, so many issues.”

It’s necessary for ISTJs to know that repression long-term isn’t the important thing. Busy ISTJs with packed schedules virtually by no means make time to unpack their emotions; as a substitute, they frequently push them apart to allow them to give attention to their obligations. Once I requested the ISTJs I spoke with what varieties of actions helped them course of their emotions, they instructed writing them down, speaking to a therapist, creating artwork, or exercising whereas analyzing them.

Discover out extra about ISTJs: 10 Indicators of an Unhealthy ISTJ

2. ESFP – 7.27%

I used to be shocked to see ESFPs so extremely on the listing. On the surface, these varieties have a tendency to look enjoyable, spontaneous, and eternally optimistic. However there’s extra to those varieties than what you see on the outside. Total, ESFPs ranked extremely for emotions of optimism, pleasure, and pleasure, however together with all that brightness was the juxtaposition of unhappiness.

I’m an optimist,” one ESFP commented, “however when life slows down or I’ve to do mundane duties, I really feel unhappy and extra anxious than regular.” A number of different ESFPs mirrored her statements, commenting that they like to remain as busy as attainable, but when life is just too mundane, sluggish, or quiet they are often overcome by unhappy ideas. My ESFP pal tends to be stricken by adverse ideas when she tries to sleep at evening, when life slows down, quiets down, and is under-stimulating.

As Extraverted Sensing dominants, it’s attainable that when all of the sensory stimulation shuts down, ESFPs get extra in contact with their introverted feeling facet. That is the a part of them that processes feelings, values, and personally vital experiences. When ESFPs make time to faucet into introverted feeling with out attempting to distract themselves, it might assist them to really feel much less overwhelmed by their feelings. However for some ESFPs, reverting to motion and expertise is all too tempting. Whereas I’d love to present an inventory of how for ESFPs to deal with unhappiness, I do know that it’s going to depend upon the ESFP. However the bottom line is to totally study your emotions as a substitute of attempting to distract from them. Write them down, speak to somebody, and acknowledge them with out giving into the temptation to distract. Calm has written a superb article on find out how to course of emotions, and why it’s so necessary that is perhaps useful right here.

3. INFJ – 7.24%

INFJs really feel deeply. Not simply their very own feelings, however everybody else’s too. They’re like emotional sponges, absorbing the moods and emotions of the folks round them. As big-picture folks, INFJs discover themselves dreaming of a greater world for folks. Idealists by nature, they sympathize with the plight of humanity and wish to discover methods to enhance all the things. But this need to alter the world and make it higher is unattainable for one human to perform all on their very own. Many INFJs report that they really feel unhappiness once they sense that they will’t create the perfect world they’ve envisioned on their very own.

I really feel unhappiness, but it surely doesn’t hassle me” one INFJ acknowledged, “I believe grief, unhappiness, solitude are all issues we have to notice with a view to achieve the total spectrum of the human expertise.” Different INFJs made comparable statements. When unhappiness units in, INFJs typically want time alone to course of. They could flip to journaling, meditating, or dropping themselves in a inventive challenge. It’s their means of constructing sense of the emotional noise round them. Others want an outlet, somebody to speak to who can mirror their emotions again to them, however solely after they’ve had a while to decompress alone first.

Discover out extra about INFJs: 3 Bizarre and Fantastic Secrets and techniques In regards to the INFJ

4. INFP – 7.06%

For INFPs, unhappiness typically has a type of magnificence to it. They really feel issues deeply and are attuned to the nuances of their emotional world. They could really feel unhappiness once they see the hole between their beliefs and actuality or once they really feel misunderstood. I don’t thoughts feeling unhappy,” an INFP confided. “It makes me really feel like I’m alive.” One other acknowledged, “I don’t purchase into the entire poisonous positivity mindset. There’s nothing improper with processing adverse feelings. There’s magnificence in all the things we really feel.”

For INFPs, unhappiness typically finds a launch by means of creative or inventive expression or immersion. This could imply listening to music that resonates with their feelings, watching a film, writing a narrative, or creating artwork to precise themselves or discover solidarity.

Discover out extra about INFPs: September Bucket Listing Concepts for INFPs

5. ENFJ – 6.35%

ENFJs are deeply in contact with the emotional world round them. They have an inclination to soak up different folks’s feelings, generally even complicated them with their very own. This skill to be an empath and to care so deeply for others may be each a blessing and a curse. It provides them the knack for making a constructive environment with one other particular person. But at different occasions they change into overwhelmed by adverse or troublesome feelings from others. As Idealists, ENFJs lengthy for a greater and kinder world. The truth that so many individuals undergo will not be misplaced on them, and it’s one thing they course of extra intensely than many different varieties.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a tragic particular person. Typically I’m an optimist. However I’ll get depressed after which blissful actually in the identical day. I simply have radically completely different temper swings” one ENFJ commented. One other mentioned, “I’m a contented particular person. I simply get unhappy, I suppose, when different folks round me are unhappy. I take these emotions on.”

ENFJs may suppress their very own unhappiness to maintain supporting others, however when it surfaces, it may be fairly intense. They should be reminded to deal with themselves and to let others be there for them occasionally.

6. ISFJ – 6.33%

ISFJs are all about taking good care of the folks round them, typically placing their very own wants on the again burner. Their unhappiness often comes from worrying about others or feeling unappreciated. I get unhappy once I assume I’m not doing sufficient for others,” an ISFJ mentioned. One other acknowledged, “I really feel taken as a right and lots of people don’t discover the issues I do. It may be arduous to snap out of.”

ISFJs typically selected not present their unhappiness outwardly, as a substitute channeling it into their work or coping with it privately. But it surely’s necessary for ISFJs to seek out an exterior outlet for his or her feelings. Writing down their emotions and studying them again to themselves may be extraordinarily useful, or discovering a trusted pal or member of the family to open up to.

Discover out extra about ISFJs: 10 Issues You Crave Each Day as an ISFJ Persona Sort

7. ISFP – 6.02%

For ISFPs, unhappiness is commonly a solo expertise. They don’t actually like displaying all their emotions, however they might discover it arduous to carry again in the event that they don’t have any approach to get alone.  They have an inclination to really feel unhappy once they really feel like they will’t categorical themselves, like they’re being misunderstood, or somebody they care about is hurting.  It’s arduous to clarify, but it surely’s like a wave that comes over me,” one ISFP shared. They’re not at all times snug speaking about their unhappiness, preferring to course of it by means of artwork, nature, or solitude. Many ISFPs convey a extra personal, stoic outward look whereas on the within they’re deeply delicate and emotionally clever.

Discover out extra about ISFPs: 10 Issues ISFPs Want in a Relationship

8. ESFJ – 5.43%

ESFJs are tuned into the emotional states of others and infrequently really feel answerable for the general temper. “I simply need everybody to get alongside,” one ESFJ instructed me. In the event that they really feel disconnected or like they’ve disenchanted somebody, it might carry them down and make them really feel stressed and agitated till all the things is resolved.

I discover ESFJs getting essentially the most upset once they really feel their relationships are in jeopardy. They often cope by searching for out their family members, speaking issues by means of, and having sounding boards for his or her feelings. Having somebody to hear, affirm, give recommendation, or supply emotional help is essential.

Discover out extra about ESFJs: Understanding ESFJ Rage

9. INTP – 4.44%

INTPs are likely to preserve their feelings at a distance, preferring the world of logic, the place all the things is smart, as a substitute. However unhappiness can creep in once they really feel rejected, misunderstood, or pissed off with themselves. I don’t at all times perceive why I’m unhappy,” an INTP confessed, “and the very last thing I would like is somebody badgering me to seek out out why I appear unhappy. That simply makes it worse.”

They have an inclination to withdraw and analyze their emotions, on the lookout for a logical motive behind their feelings. Typically that is an train in futility. A number of INTPs commented that they only have to blow off steam once they’re unhappy with out worrying about how they’ll be interpreted, as a result of they typically make sense of their feelings this fashion and may re-calibrate. They discover consolation in solitary actions, studying, or diving into a brand new space of curiosity to distract themselves and discover a sense of steadiness.

Uncover extra about INTPs: The Prime 3 Greatest Matches for the INTP Persona Sort

10. INTJ – 3.57%

For INTJs, unhappiness can really feel like a disruption to their inside order. Unhappiness looks like one thing I would like to repair,” an INTJ mentioned. They’re extra more likely to internalize their emotions, analyzing the state of affairs to stop future setbacks. Or they could retreat into their emotions privately, listening to songs that match their moods, writing in journals, or on the lookout for an perception or deeper that means.

I personally am an INTJ and I might say unhappiness is one in all my strongest and most frequent feelings. Do different folks see it? Not a lot. I have a tendency to write down out my emotions, take heed to music that offers me a way of solidarity, or ponder the unhappiness in my very own means. If I do present my emotions, it’s unintentionally and often one thing I detest. I’m just one INTJ, although. So I’d love to listen to from others within the feedback. From what I’m seeing from different INTJ survey respondents, it’s pretty typical to maintain emotions hidden, coping with them in personal somewhat than needing sounding boards in different folks.

Discover out extra about INTJs: The INTJ Girl: Joys and Challenges

11. ENTJ – 3.23%

ENTJs are action-oriented and infrequently suppress feelings that don’t appear productive. When unhappiness does hit, it’s often tied to a perceived failure or a setback of their plans. It’s extra of an annoyance than something,” one ENTJ shared. They’re fast to maneuver into problem-solving mode, specializing in what they will do to alter the state of affairs. They could view unhappiness as one thing to beat somewhat than a sense to discover.

12. ISTP – 2.68%

ISTPs are sensible and like to remain centered on the current. Unhappiness often comes once they really feel caught or misunderstood. Whereas ISTPs are logical and have a sure indifferent, analytical high quality, this doesn’t imply they’re heartless. Everybody thinks I’ve no emotions,” mentioned one ISTP, “however they don’t know I actually cry in any film the place an animal dies. I’m an enormous softie in the case of animals or children.” They typically take care of unhappiness by partaking in bodily actions, like figuring out or diving right into a hands-on challenge. They’re not ones to speak about their feelings except they see a have to, and in the event that they do speak, they need it to be with somebody who received’t criticize their feelings. They might backtrack later after they’ve externalized their feelings, discarding something that doesn’t appear “logical sufficient.”

13. ENFP – 2.67%

ENFPs are recognized for his or her upbeat and enthusiastic nature, however they will expertise unhappiness once they really feel disconnected from their values or sense of goal. I get unhappy when issues really feel meaningless,” one ENFP admitted. They often attempt to reframe their unhappiness, viewing it as part of a bigger progress journey. They could discover their emotions by means of creativity, conversations, or by searching for out new experiences to reignite their sense of pleasure.

14. ENTP – 1.59%

ENTPs are often too busy exploring new concepts to take a seat with unhappiness for lengthy. I really feel unhappy when my relationships are failing not directly,” one ENTP commented, “It makes me really feel incompetent. And I hate it as a result of I simply blurt out all my emotions after which folks take them means too severely. I simply gotta get it out of my system, then I can breathe, say ‘that was silly’ and get again to life as regular.” A number of different ENTPs talked about this similar sample. As a result of ENTPs don’t have Introverted Feeling of their major cognitive operate stack it may be troublesome for them to internalize and inwardly course of their feelings. Usually they should simply blurt them out to prepare and make sense of issues. All through that course of they might take again sure issues they mentioned as they calibrate, and it’s necessary for them to have somebody as a sounding board who isn’t hounding them about each little or factor or getting hypersensitive to their course of.

15. ESTJ – 2.27%

ESTJs are sometimes sensible and centered on getting issues finished. They see unhappiness as one thing that would get in the best way of their objectives. I don’t have time to be unhappy,” one ESTJ mentioned. After they do really feel it, it’s typically linked to perceived failures or inefficiencies. They like to channel their emotions into motion, discovering methods to unravel issues and preserve shifting ahead.

16. ESTP – 0.00%

ESTPs are the least more likely to report feeling unhappiness repeatedly. They’re all about dwelling within the second and searching for pleasure. I simply preserve shifting,” an ESTP mentioned. After they do really feel unhappy, it’s often short-lived and particular to an occasion. They typically cope by diving into actions that present a fast temper increase, like sports activities, train, socializing, or something that retains them on their toes.

What Do You Assume?

How do you address unhappiness? Do you might have any suggestions, tales, or recommendation to share with others? Tell us within the feedback!