Every myers-briggs personality type has a so-called ‘darkside’ that they use in
place of their regular functions during stressful times. However,
for the INTP who is already known for their somewhat insensitive and impatient tendencies,
this dark side can feel intense for not only themselves, but also for the people around them..
Welcome or welcome back PSYCH-Os! Today we’re going to be discussing exactly that,
the INTP dark side. Before we get into the video, have you liked and subscribed to our channel?
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Alright, let’s get right into it starting with..
Number 1: Overly-controlling rigidity
The first and most obvious sign that an INTP is utilizing their shadow functions is the
emerging of extraverted thinking. Extraverted thinking is a function that wants everything to
make logical sense, and has very little patience for unproductive activities. And while INTPs can
actually utilize this shadow function effectively at times to organize and and take lead, this
thinking function isn’t always so helpful. Seen as overly-controlling, rigid and intimidating;
the unhealthy INTP can resort to extroverted thinking, otherwise known ‘opposing role function’
to manage stressful situations. Unfortunately, it isn’t always a heat-in the moment thing..
It has the potential to linger until the INTP pulls themselves out of that dark place. They
may begin to take on a strict black and white approach to life, being stubborn about how things
should be done using a biased systematic approach until they settle back into their main functions.
Number 2: Their criticisms of others become quite brutal
Besides being inflexible and slightly stubborn, the INTP dark side holds a particular place for
biased opinions of others. When an INTP becomes negative and down, it’ll be noticeable through
their surprisingly brutal criticisms of other people. While they’re not considered the most
sensitive type, INTPs normally have a particular way of getting their views across in the least
offensive way possible. However, when they’re feeling particularly stressed these opinions can
become specifically targeted at the people around them. It’ll seem as if they’re almost purposefully
nit-picking the short-comings of the people around them in order to make them feel less insatiable.
Normally, they’ll brush this critical behavior off as just being their regularly blunt selves,
but there's a clear distinction between being honest and being a downright savage.
Number 3: Unshakable nostalgia
An interesting aspect of the INTP dark side that doesn’t necessarily involve other people is the
introverted sensing-introverted thinking loop that comes out during periods of high stress. While
INTPs are normally interested in exploring the what-ifs of the world while using their curious
nature to understand how things fit in with one another, an INTP who is under the wrath of their
dark side tells a completely different story. Consumed by thoughts and replays of past memories,
the INTP dark side causes this otherwise logical type to fall down the rabbit hole of seemingly
better times. Instead of feeling driven and motivated to solve the world’s biggest mysteries,
they’re stuck in the memory lane. Old songs, yearbooks, facebook memories, instagram photos..
What started as a simple reminiscing moment can turn into inflated memories of what life used to
be. Yet, it’s not always reminiscing on the good times that draws the INTP to their memory bank.
Depending on the driving force behind their stress in the moment,
INTPs may become overly-focused on reviewing past bad or embarrassing memories. They can get
consumed in the feelings of shame and anxiety that they once attached to those memories,
remaining blind to their logical selves that would ease their unnecessary negative outlook.
Number 4: Serious self-sabotage
The INTP dark side doesn’t only cause them to be critical and harsh to the people around them,
but also to themselves. With strong will-power and a perfectionistic outlook,
it’s not like INTPs are normally overly easy on themselves or even satisfied with all that
they’re capable of. But when their dark side has taken over, the level of self-criticizing and
self-sabotage comes full force. Partially to blame on their introverted intuition shadow function,
also known as the ‘critical parent’, this little voice in the back of their heads tells the INTP
that they’re not on the right track. It causes them to set self-limits and criticize the work
they’ve done as well as the goals they have yet to accomplish. With these thoughts in mind,
eventually an INTP may be mentally pushed to the point of canceling anticipated future plans,
giving up on presented opportunities and ultimately kissing their once
cherished dreams good-bye. However, it’s not always an immediate decision. In fact,
INTPs may play this self-sabotage by procrastinating until they miss their chance
or by changing their mind right as they realize success is around the corner.
Number 5: An unhealthy focus on their environment
For the introverted INTP who normally relies so heavily on their introverted thinking and
introverted sensing, the shadowed extroverted sensing function can be quite underdeveloped
and unstable. While extraverted sensing is usually used for interacting with the
external world in a positive way, INTPs tend to utilize this shadow function
by overcompensating and putting in an extra effort to be a little more reckless. Impulsive decisions,
challenging people for no real reason, unhealthy indulgence, and even uncharacteristically
socializing that they may regret later.. This extraverted sensing function combined with the
nostalgia we mentioned earlier can encourage the INTP to go back to unhealthy physical behaviors
or social connection that they once used as a crutch just because it feels good in the moment.
This shadow function alone can ultimately send them down a dark path of uncharacteristically
behaviors that make them feel and seem restless or even exhausted from keeping up.
Number 6: Blindly following hunches
It’s one thing for the INTP to become reckless and impulsive when utilizing their shadow functions,
however, sometimes their seemingly spontaneous actions may not be as spontaneous as they seem.
In reality, when the INTP is utilizing their shadow introverted intuition as opposed to their
natural extroverted intuition, they can get a little too confident in their intuitive findings.
While this shadow function can actually serve the INTP very well should they decide to train
it appropriately, an underdeveloped introverted intuition function can cause this curious type to
analyze to the point of exhaustion. Introverted intuition is meant to quietly guide in the
background of life, but for the INTP this shadow function can cause them to jump to conclusions,
following feelings and hunches that aren’t actually connected to any real facts or evidence.
For example, in relationships this is when INTPs begin to question their partner’s motives and
habits based on ‘feelings’ that they try to make sense of but can’t quite put their finger on.
This can actually cause additional feelings or uneasiness and even
paranoia because of the INTP’s natural reliance on logic and rational thinking.
Number 7: Questioning every relationship
Despite being an introverted type, every INTP has an underlying sense of outgoingness that
compliments their otherwise seemingly disconnected behavior. When they’re feeling up to par, INTPs
actually have an impressive level of empathy and connection with people - always seeking
harmony in social settings. And this can mostly be attributed to their extraverted feeling function.
However, when the INTP is overtaken by their shadow introverted feeling function during
types of immense pressure, they have the tendency to completely shut down these feelings. This
aspect of the INTP dark side causes them to solely rely on logic over feeling, which not only leaves
them feeling uncomfortable connecting with others, but it can also become detrimental to their close
relationships. In fact, this introverted feeling function leads them to question their own emotions
and moral beliefs causing them to constantly feel uneasy about their feelings of others.
Number 8: Shying away from the world
If the INTP isn’t feeling reckless within their outer environment during times of extreme stress,
then they probably feel the complete opposite. In fact,
the dark side can be so overwhelming and uncertain that even the INTP themselves can
still sense the danger in what can happen under those mental circumstances. And so,
they resort to resigning themselves to solitude. However, being alone in their own thoughts when
they’re feeling particularly critical and rigid can certainly come with consequences of its own.
Feelings of being unappreciated, unnoticed, and alienated can creep up, leaving them
feeling like they’re the only ones who put in the honest effort to find the truths in the world.
If this inner rumination goes on for long enough, some INTPs end up adopting this reclusivity and
loneliness as a way of life. And unfortunately, it’s much easier to avoid than it is to reverse.
Well, that’s it for today PSYCH-Os.. So, are you an INTP?
And if so, have you ever experienced the dark side of your shadow functions?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to leave us a like,
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