I have personally always loved having meaningful conversations with people who I consider to belong to my inner circle. Sometimes engaging with complete strangers to gain knowledge about something that I do not know excites me a lot. But having said that I sometimes totally shut down when I go through severe phases of anxiety. In those phases despite being very good at expressing myself, I fail to say a single word about what troubles my mind. I consider myself to be an ambivert because I switch between being an extrovert to an introvert depending on the situation or my mental conditions. And in those phases of anxiety, I find it extremely hard to express or reach out to anyone.

While mulling over these topics I thought of understanding the mental health condition of introverts & extroverts. Hence the blog post!

First of all, let us understand the basic differences.

1. Extroverts: are people who feel recharged when they have social interactions. They prefer to engage more in a conversation than to spend more time alone.
2. Introverts: are people who feel drained if they have interacted more with others and prefer a space of calmness and solitude
3. Ambiverts: are people who swing between the two extremes. Sometimes they feel recharged with social connections and sometimes they just want their own space.

Each of the above categories of people has different and very distinct brain chemistry that functions differently when they choose to interact or not.

Now, I conducted a little survey on Twitter and found the below perspectives which were very interesting and everyone put forward their viewpoints. You can read all the below mentioned replies for your own understanding.

It's a myth that extroverts have it easy as compared to introverts as they can easily open up, say what they want , talk non stop etc.
Planning to write my next blog on the same topic .
What do you think? Your inputs can be valuable.#causeachatter

— Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu (@ChinmayeegG) February 21, 2022

Now, as we have known that introverts need a quiet space for recharging and extroverts need interactions to revive, the pandemic and lockdowns have been difficult for each and every one. This is a myth that either of them had it easy as some might think that extroverts had it hard and introverts easier.

Few myths about both categories of people are as given below:

• Extroverts are happier and have it easy. : Extroversion does not signify someone’s happiness. It’s just that the interaction levels are higher. But that does not mean extroverts have less depression or anxiety levels than an introvert.
• Introverts are quiet: Introverts are people who preferably have a much smaller circle of interaction but they can be who they are in that small circle and it does not mean they are boring.
• Extroverts show off: No, extroverts are not someone who always has to show off but they need more conversations and with many people to feel at ease.
• Introverts are more likely to deal with mental illness: just because someone talks a lot does not mean they are not going through anxiety or any kind of insecurity! Sometimes, connecting with more people and talking about unrelated topics can make someone hide their own mental trauma.
• Extroversion & Introversion are nothing but states of mind: Being an extrovert or introvert is a personality trait and not a state of mind.

Perception of Ambiverts :

Now coming to people who fall somewhere between the two extremes, the ambiverts sometimes have it real tough because they are sometimes the most misunderstood lot by all. They can show traits of being an extrovert and yet be feeling anxious and sometimes they may be totally quiet and trying to recharge, while others may think that they are being cold and distant. Probably, having people who really care can understand the deep layers of emotions ( that can change ) exhibited by an ambivert without a bias.

Having said all this, we can not deny the fact that stress levels are different for everyone and everyone is battling their own battles in their own way. The pandemic has been tough for all. So, lets be kind and understanding unless, our kindness is being taken for granted.

NB: Views expressed in this post are personal and for reading purpose only. They’re not medical advice. Each individual’s experience may vary. Please consult a professional if you need help.” 

Love,

Chinmayee

“This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter.”