The Six Most Frequently Raised Issues by Introverts in Therapy

If you tend to be quiet, these situations might be all too familiar. Here is what mental health professionals advise those they work with.

I'd describe myself as an introvert because I like to be by myself a lot. Not only do I enjoy my own company, but I also require some alone time to recover from even a brief social interaction. On the other hand, extroverts are stimulated and made to feel energized by being around other people.

Having said that, it can be challenging for introverts to interact with others and communicate because society isn't always designed with their needs in mind. You can navigate these situations and explore your inner life with the help of therapy, which will help you become more at ease with your quieter nature and the needs that go along with it.

We asked therapists to list the most prevalent issues introverts typically bring up in therapy and their typical causes in the sections below. Everyone can relate; it's not just you.

1. Locating a place where they can socially recharge

Everyone requires some alone time occasionally. Some people, however, are more in need of it than others, and it can be challenging to achieve this when close family members may not recognize its significance or when you lack the necessary physical space.

It's important for introverts to schedule downtime because many of them might feel exhausted after engaging in social activities with friends. If they share a home with a spouse or roommate, this may be challenging, according to clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist Kristen Casey. In therapy, we typically discuss effective ways to express their needs so that their friends or family members recognize that establishing distance from others is not personal.

As a place where you're least likely to be bothered, a bathroom is where Kristen Gingrich, a therapist and certified alcohol and drug counselor, usually advises her clients to ground themselves and recoup for five to seven minutes.

2. Establishing boundaries with friends and family

Setting boundaries can be challenging for many people, but it can be particularly challenging for introverts to stand up for themselves and express their needs.

Because it can require more extroverted energy than they are comfortable with, setting boundaries can be difficult for introverts, according to Gingrich.

She added that if an introverted client is having trouble with this, they might talk about how to establish boundaries that are precise and unambiguous because it can be easy to get sidetracked with talking about them rather than enforcing them.

Additionally, coping mechanisms and distress tolerance techniques are frequently discussed because it's likely that clients will experience uncomfortable feelings and emotions as a result of setting boundaries, so it's critical that they know how to deal with them when they do.

3. Keeping in touch with friends

Although this is not a subject that only introverts bring up in therapy, it does come up frequently because it can be difficult to answer texts and phone calls when your social energy is low.

Some introverts may find it overwhelming to respond to calls or texts, and they may find it difficult to educate their loved ones about their preferred methods of communication, according to Casey.

When this happens, the client might express worries that their friends and family will take their tardiness personally or see it as a sign that they don't value the relationship, rather than as a simple reflection of their needs.

4. Controlling irritability and overstimulation

Introverts will need that time alone to refuel after a while of interacting with others in a group setting. Introverts frequently discuss their irritability in therapy because they want to find better ways to manage it when they can't get what they need or have trouble communicating it.

When introverts are overstimulated or their social reserves run low, they either shut down or develop irritability, which is very common, according to Gingrich.

In sessions, the client and therapist will work together to discuss and develop coping mechanisms to help them be more prepared for times when they may become very agitated or overstimulated.

In addition, Gingrich said, "we discuss how to accept responsibility for the times when their irritability may get the best of them and come out toward other people.”

Even though it might be challenging, it's crucial to accept responsibility and move forward in a more wholesome and beneficial way.

5. Searching for a romantic partner

Everybody finds dating challenging, especially introverts who are easily exhausted by social situations. A lot of dates can be exhausting for an introvert who needs a lot of alone time to refuel.

Clients frequently bring up this topic, according to Heather Kent, a registered psychotherapist and trauma recovery specialist in Canada. The idea of online dating can be intimidating because it involves meeting lots of people and going out on various occasions, she explained.

Although introverts do desire romantic relationships, it can be challenging to strike the right balance that will meet their needs as well as the other person's.

6. Overcoming societal pressure

People are under enormous pressure from society to uphold the status quo in almost everything. However, when the extroverted personality is the default, introverts frequently find this challenging.

Introverts frequently discuss their concerns about how others perceive them and how they experience ongoing social pressure to be active and socially engaged, according to Casey. As a result, individuals "may sometimes think that there is something wrong with them or that they aren't living up to societal expectations."

To ensure that they feel seen and heard and can lead a life of their choosing, she works with her clients in sessions to explore the need to align their own expectations with societal norms. Rather than attempting to be someone you're not, it is better.

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