We’ve all felt anxiousness sooner or later, however the best way it exhibits up can fluctuate dramatically from one individual to a different. As an MBTI® practitioner, probably the most widespread questions I’ve gotten over the previous ten years is whether or not there’s any connection between anxiousness and somebody’s Myers-Briggs® persona sort. I typically chorus from answering this, as a result of folks are inclined to take statistics as prescriptions.
For instance, if I inform somebody that introverts usually tend to have anxiousness than extroverts, they might simply assume that introverts are anxious normally. However the percentages could also be solely a small distinction between the 2 units. And up till now, I hadn’t seen any conclusive analysis between the 16 persona sorts and anxiousness. So I made a decision to alter that. I wished to do my very own analysis.
I’ve a reasonably large e-mail checklist (87k subscribers), after which social media followers, mates, and shoppers. I despatched out a survey to everybody in these teams to attempt to get as a lot suggestions as doable about how they expertise and deal with feelings. Of these folks, 5,024 stuffed out my survey.
Within the survey, one of many questions I requested was, “Which 1-3 feelings do you are feeling probably the most usually all through the day?” That they had 21 choices starting from Pleasure and Calmness to Pessimism and Concern. The purpose was to find how many individuals of every persona sort selected Anxiousness. I waited till I had not less than 100 responses from every of the 16 sorts earlier than writing out my conclusions. Immediately we’re going to dive into these conclusions and see if there are any patterns of hysteria within the 16 sorts.
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The Most to Least Anxious Myers-Briggs® Character Varieties
The Survey Outcomes
When requested in regards to the feelings they skilled most usually, right here’s the chances of every sort who selected “Anxiousness” from the checklist of choices.
ISFJ: 22.73%
ISTJ: 20%
INFJ: 18.04%
INFP: 16.82%
INTP: 16.67%
ISFP: 14.29%
INTJ: 13.52%
ESFJ: 13.04%
ENFJ: 8.70%
ISTP: 8.93%
ENTP: 7.94%
ESFP: 7.91%
ESTP: 7.25%
ENFP: 7.00%
ENTJ: 6.68%
ESTJ: 4.55%
Patterns and Reflections
Earlier than we dive into these numbers, let’s make one factor clear: in case your sort exhibits a better proportion, this doesn’t imply you’re destined to expertise anxiousness. This survey highlights traits, not certainties. Even probably the most anxiety-prone sorts had a bigger proportion of people who didn’t select anxiousness as one in all their main feelings.
Introversion and Anxiousness:
On common, introverts on this survey expertise anxiousness at a fee of 16.38%, whereas extroverts expertise it at a fee of seven.88%. Because of this, primarily based on the survey information, introverts are roughly 207.7% extra more likely to expertise anxiousness than extroverts. Why may this be?
Effectively, first let’s take a look at the definition of hysteria:
Merriam-Webster defines anxiousness as, “apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness often over an impending or anticipated sick” or “mentally distressing concern or curiosity.”
Psychology Immediately states that “anxiousness is extra widespread amongst introverts than extroverts” Basically, introverts want extra time to decompress, recharge, collect their ideas, and replicate on their experiences. Common moments of quiet peace are particularly vital. It’s doable that the world we reside in and all of its exterior calls for creates extra stress for introverts than extroverts. Pinging telephones, crowded places of work, household obligations, and busy lecture rooms in childhood can all equal an awesome quantity of stimulus for the introvert. And sometimes introverts really feel that their want for quiet and alone time is seen as dismissive or irregular by their extroverted family members.
Anxiousness additionally has an internal high quality. As Merriam-Webster said, it’s a “mentally misery concern or curiosity.” Extroverts are typically extra action-oriented than introverts, leaping into motion straight away to interact with the world, folks, and experiences. Anxiousness, in distinction, tends to be a extra inward expertise coping with apprehension, nervousness, and fear. Introverts who’re extra inner-focused and in contact with their ideas and reflections, might discover that they give attention to anxious or worrying ideas for longer than extroverts, who might leap into motion extra shortly or deflect anxiousness with outward experiences.
With all that in thoughts, let’s now take a look at the categories most and least more likely to expertise anxiousness primarily based on the survey.
The Most to Least Anxious Myers-Briggs® Character Varieties, Ranked
ISFJ: 22.73%
ISFJs take the highest spot for anxiousness on this survey with the best proportion of responses. These sorts like having a way of routine, stability, and certainty of their lives. Anxiousness is usually is triggered by resistance to alter, which could be a high quality of Introverted Sesing (ISxJ) sorts. Sudden adjustments are typically overwhelming to them, they usually particularly crave tranquil environment. “I really feel just like the world is simply too loud,” one ISFJ commented. “I hate smartphones, brilliant lights, feeling like I’ve to be busy on a regular basis. I really feel like there’s by no means time to only be.” On prime of the sensory overwhelm, ISFJs additionally are inclined to really feel answerable for the folks of their lives. One ISFJ I labored with described it as “attempting to maintain everybody else afloat whereas feeling such as you’re drowning inside.”
A tip? Put aside time every day only for your self, whether or not it’s studying, taking a shower, or having fun with a quiet stroll. Make sure that it’s on the schedule and prioritized in an effort to at all times rely on it.
Discover out extra about ISFJs: Are ISFJs Uncommon? A Have a look at the Protector Character Sort
ISTJ: 20%
ISTJs would possibly look like the least probably candidates for anxiousness at first look. They’re logical, sensible, and sometimes maintain their feelings underneath wraps. However outward appearances could be deceiving, and the outer stoic nature of the ISTJ could also be hiding an internal anxiousness that lurks underneath the floor. Like ISFJs, ISTJs like a steady, calm, routine life. If there’s one factor ISTJs dislike, it’s unpredictability. One ISTJ in my survey said, “We at all times wish to appear to be we’ve received it collectively, like nothing fazes us. Folks can rely on us and we prefer to look competent. However there’s solely a lot stress we are able to take earlier than we pop.”
For ISTJs, anxiousness typically kicks in once they really feel issues are slipping out of their management or once they worry they haven’t ready sufficient for potential issues.
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INFJ: 18.04%
INFJs are well-known for his or her empathy and their perception into the human expertise. This may be each a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it permits them to deeply help and look after others, however a curse in that they’ll “over-absorb” different folks’s emotions to the purpose the place they’re overstimulated and exhausted. An INFJ good friend as soon as instructed me, “It’s like having 20 browser tabs open in your thoughts, all of them on autoplay.” This tendency to tackle others’ issues as their very own can result in a heightened state of hysteria, particularly once they really feel answerable for the emotional well-being of everybody round them.
On prime of that, INFJs are typically pattern-seers, noticing how issues will play out sooner or later. At occasions, this will imply that they sense patterns in cultures and ecosystems which are destructive. “I see how AI and world warming will influence the long run and I do know it’s coming,” one INFJ said, “however I do know there’s nothing that may be performed to cease it on my finish. So yeah, I really feel anxious.” Whereas INFJs might disagree on the long run realities they see coming, this tendency to fixate on a future risk could make them lose contact with the second. Future-forecasting and anticipating destructive situations is a key signal of hysteria.
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INFP: 16.82%
INFPs are sometimes torn between the world as it’s and the world as they need it may very well be. INFPs are Idealists, at all times wanting ahead to the chances that “may very well be” sooner or later. They need a world with extra equality, compassion, and creativeness. However they typically really feel just like the world focuses extra on materialism, greed, and outward appearances.
An INFP as soon as defined, “I really feel like I’m carrying the burden of the world on my shoulders, though I do know I can’t repair all the things.” One other said, “I wrestle with anxiousness; I don’t really feel just like the world round me sees or appreciates my items. Everybody round me has at all times pushed me to be extra like my ESFJ sister. I’m too quiet, much less organized, clear, bold. However they don’t see my creativity, depth, or writing talents.”
A tip? When anxiousness strikes, channel your emotions into artistic actions like journaling, drawing, or music. This might help launch pent-up feelings and convey a way of aid and readability.
Discover out extra about INFPs: Your INFP Character Sort and Your Enneagram Sort
INTP: 16.67%
INTPs are identified for his or her analytical minds and their tendency to reside on this planet of concepts. Nevertheless, this fixed psychological exercise can generally work towards them. They’ll get caught in loops of overthinking, analyzing each doable consequence to the purpose of paralysis. Or they might really feel overwhelmed by the exterior calls for positioned on them by society. INTPs prefer to take their time, study, and course of info in-depth. The quick world of right this moment with all its distractions and deadlines could be the antithesis to the calm atmosphere INTPs naturally crave. One INTP described their anxiousness as “getting misplaced in a labyrinth of my very own making.” One other mentioned, “I’m seen as chilly or unusual once I want time alone and folks always misunderstand me. But when I attempt to be as extroverted because the folks round me I’m fully drained.”
A tip? Prioritize small breaks to get away by your self all through the day. Throughout these moments, give attention to grounding your physique. Take deep breaths, clench and unclench your joints, stretch, and give attention to the current second. You’ll really feel your physique begin to settle down and your nervous system will really feel extra regulated because of this.
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ISFP: 14.29%
For ISFPs, anxiousness typically comes from feeling misunderstood or trapped in conditions that stifle their want for freedom and creativity. One ISFP confided, “I really feel anxious once I can’t do what I like to ‘make it’ on this planet. When I’ve to masks my true nature and conform.” When ISFPs don’t really feel they’ll actually be current within the second and in contact with their artistic aspect or their values, life begins to really feel overwhelming. Having to spend so much of time planning for the long run, coping with conflicts, or adhering to a inflexible routine could be deeply traumatic.
You may also take pleasure in: Right here’s the Social Norm That Confuses You, Primarily based On Your Myers-Briggs Character Sort
INTJ: 13.52%
INTJs might seem calm and picked up on the skin, however their internal world is a bustling hub of technique and long-term planning. Their anxiousness typically stems from a worry of failure or not residing as much as their very own excessive requirements. An INTJ as soon as shared with me, “I really feel most anxious once I suppose I might need missed a important element that might have an effect on my plans. My low Se (Extraverted Sensing) implies that the superb particulars can actually undermine me.” They’re typically their harshest critics, and this inside stress can result in bouts of hysteria once they worry they haven’t ready sufficient for all times’s complexities.
A tip for INTJs? INTJs typically really feel anxious about not being productive. Give your self permission to unwind with out a particular purpose in thoughts. Watch a present, learn fiction, or daydream. Typically throughout these low-stress, calm moments, you may get your finest concepts and epiphanies!
You additionally would possibly take pleasure in: The 5 Issues You Crave in a Friendship, Primarily based On Your Myers-Briggs Character Sort
ESFJ: 13.04%
ESFJs are pure hosts and givers, with a want to create neighborhood and concord round them. They really feel anxious when their stability is threatened or there may be any form of interpersonal battle. “I begin shaking if I feel my household or mates are mad at me,” one ESFJ commented, “it’s like I can’t relaxation until everybody’s on good phrases.” This fixed vigilance in sustaining a constructive atmosphere could be exhausting and result in emotions of hysteria, notably once they really feel powerless to assist these they care about.
A tip? Observe saying “no” whenever you’re feeling stretched too skinny. And repeat the mantra, “I’m not answerable for everybody else’s emotions. I’m solely answerable for my very own.” Be taught to let go and breathe whenever you really feel that there may very well be battle on the horizon.
Discover out extra about ESFJs: 5 Strengths You Convey to a Friendship, Primarily based On Your Character Sort
ISTP: 8.93%
ISTPs are the least anxious of the introverted persona sorts. They don’t let feelings rule their lives, however they’ll nonetheless expertise anxiousness, notably once they really feel cornered or trapped by circumstances they’ll’t management. An ISTP as soon as remarked, “I get anxious once I really feel like I’ve no choices or means out.” Their anxiousness is usually linked to a worry of shedding their independence or being compelled into long-term commitments they’re not prepared for. One other ISTP commented, “I take life because it comes, but when I’m caught I a controlling scenario or I can’t have autonomy I really feel anxious and boxed in.”
A tip? ISTPs can really feel anxious once they’re caught in a single place or scenario for too lengthy. Taking brief, frequent breaks might help you to really feel much less trapped and caged in. Incorporate brief, frequent breaks into your day to maneuver round, whether or not it’s a stroll outdoors or a fast recreation of solitaire.
ENFJ: 8.70%
ENFJs “Mentors” are deeply attuned to the feelings of others. They put intense stress on themselves to be a guiding power and a supply of help. My ENFJ sister, for instance, tends to say “Sure” to each request for assist or help. This may generally imply that she overextends herself and winds up with little time to replicate or relaxation. This over-giving tendency is widespread amongst ENFJs and may result in anxiousness and pent-up frustration. An ENFJ who took the survey confided, “I really feel anxious once I suppose I’m not doing sufficient to assist others.” This tendency to shoulder others’ burdens can result in burnout and anxiousness. Battle or criticism can additional exacerbate anxious ideas, with ENFJs generally feeling they’re not ok until they’re making everybody else pleased.
A tip for ENFJs? When feeling anxious, remind your self that you just don’t have to hold everybody else’s burdens. Breathe deeply, stretch, shut your eyes and visualize a favourite place that provides you peace. Observe the artwork of letting go of the expectations of others. It would really feel like it’s going to by no means work, however with repeated follow, you may enhance your mindset and your stress ranges.
ENTP: 7.94%
ENTPs are pure debaters and thrive on exploring new concepts and prospects. They typically strategy life with a curious and optimistic mindset, which could clarify their decrease proportion of hysteria. Nevertheless, once they do expertise anxiousness, it typically comes from feeling stifled or being compelled right into a routine that limits their creativity. One ENTP shared, “I really feel anxious once I suppose I’m caught in a field with no means out.” One other said, “My job is actually by-the-book and predictable. I’ve no alternatives to let my Ne (Extraverted Instinct) roam freely. I begin to really feel like I’m losing my life and that’s the place my anxiousness comes from.” Their worry of being trapped in monotonous or overly structured conditions can set off anxious emotions and gloom.
A tip for ENTPs? Deliberately schedule some unstructured time every week the place you don’t have to perform something. Let your self take a stroll, free affiliation journal, or observe your curiosity wherever it leads.
ESFP: 7.91%
Whereas ESFPs usually appear carefree, they’ll nonetheless expertise anxiousness, notably when their freedom is restricted or they really feel like they’re lacking out on life’s experiences. One ESFP described it as “feeling just like the social gathering is occurring someplace, and I’m caught within the incorrect room.” One other ESFP good friend of mine says she solely experiences anxiousness when the lights are out and she or he’s attempting to sleep. The shortcoming to be lively and the absence of stimulation permits her creativeness to dredge up destructive prospects or emotions that she’s failed by some means at varied elements of her life. For ESFPs, anxiousness could be tied to how trapped they really feel, how scheduled their lives are, or moments the place they don’t have something to distract them from destructive emotions they haven’t been in a position to course of.
A tip for ESFPs? Whenever you really feel caged in and overwhelmed, get outdoors, even when just for a second. Breathe within the contemporary air, search for one thing stunning, transfer your physique and get a fast spurt of train. Simply getting outdoors of 4 partitions might help scale back stress. And if you end up getting anxious when destructive ideas bubble up at night time, write down these considerations briefly in a journal after which take a look at them the subsequent day to see whether or not or not you continue to really feel they’re price your vitality. Many occasions we really feel extra anxious at night time; some considerations do warrant consideration and others could be introduced up on by fatigue.
ESTP: 7.25%
ESTPs are inclined to roll with the punches of life, seeing challenges as alternatives somewhat than triggers of actual worry. But even they’ll expertise anxiousness. Often this occurs once they really feel like they’re caged in by life’s calls for they usually’re not in a position to transfer freely anymore. Restrictive jobs, controlling relationships, and heavy planning can all put them in a state of stress. An ESTP as soon as mentioned, “Anxiousness is like being instructed to remain nonetheless whereas I’ve the urge to maneuver.” Their anxiousness typically revolves round feeling trapped or unable to behave once they see a problem. Having to spend so much of time centered on the long run may also make them really feel pissed off and anxious, like they’ll’t predict however are being compelled to.
A tip? When anxiousness hits, follow deep respiratory workouts. Take gradual, deep breaths in by way of your nostril, maintain for a couple of seconds, and exhale slowly by way of your mouth. Take a breather outdoors, and ensure to set boundaries with folks in your life who’re attempting to regulate an excessive amount of. Be sure you’re getting common breaks for unstructured free time.
ENFP: 7%
ENFPs are risk seekers with a watch for potential and transformation. This optimistic, idea-generating nature I feel contributes to their decrease charges of hysteria. When life will get onerous, they’ll shortly brainstorm an answer. Powerful days can encourage them to dream about higher days and concepts that might maintain the gloom at bay. That mentioned, generally ENFPs tackle an excessive amount of. They’ve so many concepts that their schedules are at all times chock full they usually by no means really feel like they’ll get sufficient performed. Their goals maintain multiplying, however they nonetheless have the identical 24 hours in a day that all of us have. This may result in anxiousness the place they really feel they’re perpetually lacking out on their full potential. An ENFP good friend as soon as mentioned, “I really feel anxious once I take into consideration all of the issues I wish to do and fear that I received’t have sufficient time.”
A tip for ENFPs? Hold an “concept/fear journal” the place you jot down your anxious ideas or all of the concepts that maintain popping into your head. Generally, placing these ideas on paper might help you acquire perspective, really feel much less scattered, and remind you that your concepts will at all times be there ready for you.
Discover out extra about ENFPs: The Studying Types of Each Character Sort
ENTJ: 6.68%
For ENTJs, when plans don’t go as anticipated or once they really feel like they’re not in management, anxiousness can creep in. They hate feeling uncontrolled, undermined, or incompetent. An ENTJ from the survey shared, “Anxiousness for me is that gnawing feeling that I’m not doing sufficient, quick sufficient.” ENTJs typically place excessive expectations on themselves, carrying plenty of duties with little or no time. They could additionally turn out to be anxious once they ignore caring for their relationships and emotions. For instance, when ENTJs don’t handle their relationships, they might expertise stress in these relationships because of this. As a result of that is an space that may really feel extra overwhelming for them, they might put it off till issues escalate and turn out to be much more unnerving.
A tip for ENTJs? Schedule some unstructured time in your week. It might really feel counterintuitive, however permitting your self to chill out and unwind with out a particular purpose in thoughts could be extremely useful. And set an alarm in your telephone or calendar to verify in on the folks you like as soon as each couple of days. Whether or not this implies sending a textual content, making a telephone name, or shopping for somebody a espresso, small gestures like these will add up.
ESTJs are environment friendly and pragmatic, with clear plans for many conditions. However like anybody, they’ll nonetheless expertise the acquainted edge of hysteria. This tends to occur when their plans go awry or when life feels out of their management. One ESTJ commented, “Anxiousness will not be a problem with me until I’m coping with incompetent, lazy folks.” Once they face conditions they’ll’t management or when their plans collapse, they may attempt to instantly “repair” the scenario, but when the scenario stays unfixable, anxiousness can undoubtedly set in.
A tip for ESTJs? Attempt to embrace imperfections—acknowledge that generally plans will change, and that’s a part of life. By working towards flexibility, you may scale back your anxiousness over conditions which are past your management.
What Do You Assume?
Anxiousness doesn’t discriminate; it might have an effect on anybody, no matter persona sort. Whereas some sorts on this survey reported experiencing anxiousness extra incessantly, it’s vital to do not forget that these patterns are simply that—patterns, not guidelines. Whether or not you’re an ISFJ who worries about assembly everybody’s wants, an ENTJ striving for management and success, or an ENFP who feels anxious about not fulfilling each risk, know that you just’re not alone.
Have any ideas or experiences you’d prefer to share? Allow us to and different readers know within the feedback! Uncover much more about your persona sort in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Energy of Character Sort, The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can too join with me by way of Fb, Instagram, or Twitter!
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