INTJs are often misunderstood simply because there are so few of them around. Making up only 2.1% of the US population, they understand the world in a fundamentally different way than most other types. While the rest of the world looks first to tangible data, INTJs follow symbols and underlying meanings first.
People with the INFP personality type are imaginative, compassionate, introspective individuals. Unfortunately, in their complexity, they may also tend to feel misunderstood.
Learn why the INFJ Personality type is the most complex Myers-Briggs Personality Type. To better understand INFJs and their paradoxical personalities, it is helpful to focus on specific combinations of personality characteristics that seem contradictory. Let's look at a few of these dyads and what they mean for INFJs.
Esfj: Gossip
You're known for being a constant source of encouragement among your friends, and you feel most at home in a big group of people. One thing to be careful of is your judgmental side: Since you're constantly interacting with others, spilling one friend's secret to another can be tempting.
We start off with INFPs and INFJs: two Introverted personalities that often experience bouts of anxiety. When it comes to these types, their anxiety can stem from an inclination to overthinking.
INTJs often hide their vulnerable or emotional side behind a mask of stoicism. They are the types to let their behavior speak for them, rather than put their feelings into words.
Sadly, INFPs ranked the lowest for happiness as well as the lowest for life-satisfaction. According to the third edition of the MBTI® Manual, these types also ranked second highest in dissatisfaction with their marriages and intimate relationships.
ISFPs are quiet, reserved types who like to focus their attention on people and the experiences they enjoy. They aren't typically big talkers unless someone they're talking about something deeply important to them or they're trying to empathize verbally with someone.
In my experience as an MBTI® practitioner, one of the most common struggles I hear from INFJs is the struggle of being misunderstood. INFJs feel misunderstood in their external environment and even by themselves.
ENFJs are known for searching for the goodness in others, and for being able to summon a powerful level of compassion, which means that even when their partner falls short, their acceptance and love is still unwavering. Expressive, nurturing, and supportive, ENFJs love hard because it's the only way they know how.
Of all the personality types, ENTJs are arguably the ones who care least about other people's opinions of them. This is not a personality type who sugarcoats things or cares what others think of them. They are decisive, assertive and extremely blunt. Once you realize this is just the ENTJ way then you'll be fine.
ISFJs and ISTJs and Cleanliness:
For the ISFJ and ISTJ personality types, having a sense of order and cleanliness gives them peace of mind. They notice the little things and feel satisfaction when their environment is free of dirt, dust, and clutter.
"While the INTJ personality type is known for being highly intelligent, they also score high on trustworthiness, probably because they are self-aware enough to recognize the importance of trust in human relationships," Parmar explains.
One of the most positive Myers-Briggs types is the ENFJ, or those who are extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. "Known for their optimism and upbeat personality, ENFJs are known for being fun to be around and for being idealist organizers who want to create a better way," Owens says.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD), also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), is a personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of intense and unstable interpersonal relationships, distorted sense of self, and strong emotional reactions.
Those who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are often identified as one of the kindest types by experts. "ESFJs have extroverted feeling as a dominant cognitive function," Gonzalez-Berrios says. "This makes them rule by their hearts. They are kind, polite, friendly, and sensitive."
ISFJs ranked as having low self-acceptance according to the CPI™ tool. This may be largely because ISFJs are known for being cautious and careful, which may come across as self-doubting at times. ISFJs are also very practical and down-to-earth, and thus may not have very lofty, idealized images of themselves.
ISTP. Because they tend to be very inwardly focused, ISTPs frequently lack situational sensitivity. They are indifferent to other people's sentiments and tend to favor reason over emotion. Additionally, ISTPs hardly ever feel hurt or offended by others and generally prefer to remain by themselves.
ISTPs are the least manipulative personality type. They are independent and reserved, and usually prefer to live in the moment.
ISFPs are introverted. They tend to be reserved and quiet, especially around people they do not know well. They prefer spending time with a close group of family and friends. ISFPs are very private and keep their true feelings to themselves.
ISTJs are quiet, careful leaders. They want to make sure that the people they lead have a clear direction, consistent, honest leadership, and a logical plan of action.
According to the MBTI® Manual ENTJs are the type least likely to suppress anger and least likely to show anger.
INFJs are sensitive souls who are easily overwhelmed, but they have their limits. If they feel stressed by their environment, or the people in it, they'll tend to cry or become very quiet and want to be alone.
INTJ: One of The Rarest, Loneliest Personality Types [Introverts and Writing]
A recent review of findings on ADHD and FFM personality suggests that, in general, ADHD has associations with the FFM traits of Neuroticism (positive), Agreeableness (negative) and Conscientiousness (negative).