Overwhelm can happen to anyone, but it's a bit more common for introverts and highly sensitive people to find themselves in an overwhelming situation. If you're an introvert, you're naturally wired to lose energy when socializing or in busier environments.
Introverts may also experience more stress when they don't have time to decompress or recharge themselves with some alone time. Time alone, time to prepare for social situations, and following a plan are all ways an introvert deals with stress.
Although it's not a medical diagnosis, it is a valid experience that introverts and extroverts can face. It can be an emotional and physical response to social overstimulation that leaves you feeling drained and exhausted. You might feel physically tired, stressed, angry, or irritable.
According to studies by psychologist Hans Eysenck, introverts require less stimulation from the world in order to be awake and alert than extroverts do. This means introverts are more easily over-stimulated. The flip side of introverts' sensitivity to dopamine is that they need less of it to feel happy.
This means that introverts may process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why introverts are prone to overthinking.
While introverts are generally likely to report lower levels of happiness than extroverts, this does not mean that introverts are unhappy. Ultimately, it's important to note the happiness benefits of both introverted and extroverted behavior, no matter where you fall on the spectrum.
Big Crowds
Swarms of strangers can be a fear for many people for various reasons, but it is particularly common for anxious introverts. Introverts gather their energy from being alone, but that doesn't mean the “all alone in a crowd of people” thing always works.
Introverts tend to draw energy from going inwards and being on our own whereas as extroverts tend to draw energy from things that are external to their mind. That is why overly stimulating environments can be energy draining for introverts, leaving us feeling tired, lacking in energy and even stressed.
Prolonged social hangover can result in a following introvert burnout, which can leave one feeling drained for longer periods… hours even, or sometimes for several days in a row.
The name sounds like a synonym for weakness. But the truth is, it's more of a superpower. And researchers have found 70% of introverts also are highly sensitive people.
Signs that you may be experiencing introvert burnout include physical exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, and loss of expressiveness; however, you could experience a range of other symptoms to varying degrees.
When Introverts become angry, they tend to hold everything inside, hiding their anger from others and even from themselves. Or at least this is what most people think. In fact, this idea is more myth than reality. When Introverts become angry, they may try to repress their feelings.
Introverts struggle with the fast pace of many organizations and offices without walls can be rough for introverts who prefer to go inward to do their best thinking. If you're an introvert, you struggle with finding quiet time to gather your thoughts, particularly at brainstorming meetings.
Introverts are looked down upon for lack of good 'communication skills'. Right from an early age, introverts have to compete very hard with peers, who seem to have no problem in public or interpersonal speaking. What seems to be effortless for peers is actually the most difficult task for an introverted child.
Introverts are not the type to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Instead, we often have our guard up, and it can take a lot of one-on-one time for us to finally let down those walls. This can make dating difficult, especially when the other person wants to know more than we're willing to share.
Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extraverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extraverts, and also have less social support than extraverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression.
To most people, loneliness is not a word that meshes with introversion. Everyone knows that introverts value their alone time almost more than anything else. As Susan Cain wrote in Quiet, “Solitude matters, and for some people, it's the air they breathe.”
Yes, emotional trauma can cause a person to become a lot more introverted. Along with something as small as a loud noise more traumatic events can clearly change the way that someone acts.
Even though introverted people tend to prefer time alone, they can also experience feelings of loneliness.
More mental activity means introverts process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why we “quiet ones” overthink. Another possible reason has to do with which areas of our brains are most active.
Introversion, shyness and anxiety
Introverts can experience a bit of anxiety when they need to speak in social situations. Introducing themselves, talking to a stranger or public speaking are mentally draining for them. These are the examples of a definitely stressful situation out of their comfort zone.
People that are extremely introverted are called extreme introverts. It simply means you have a more withdrawn personality than most people. In a different light, people with pronounced external traits can be called extreme extroverts. It's pertinent to note that it's not a disorder, but simply a personality type.
Being alone gives us time to think and do tasks without needing to worry about others' needs. Introverts love to spend time alone to recharge and think. They are authentic and know what they want most of the time. They are not without friends; they just like to have more time alone than other people do.