INTPs are constantly portrayed as unemotional, cold people. However, like the rest of the introverts in their group, they tend to be slightly more reserved, and this affects their ability to properly express their emotions. So, are INTPs just emotional and sensitive underneath their tough exteriors?
The INTP will find it difficult to express their emotions, but they will be honest and straightforward in their views. The INTP is afraid of close emotional engagement because it makes them feel vulnerable, yet they are sensitive to the ideas and feelings of others around them.
Let’s take a deep dive into the emotional states of INTPs.
Do INTPs Cry?
As we all know, everybody cries sometimes. However, some of us are more prone to turning on the waterworks than others. INTPs are still humans, so of course, they cry, but they tend to reserve the tears for those late nights when they’re alone.
INTPs have strong feelings, yet they typically try to keep these feelings bottled up inside. INTPs aren’t known for crying, especially in front of others. Typically, they will suppress their feelings and try to ignore how they are feeling. INTPs don’t want to feel weak, and they especially don’t want to believe that others condemn them for their feelings.
This personality type will ignore their own emotions to maintain their composure and strength. INTPs frequently reach a point when they cannot contain their emotions for lengthy periods and may find themselves unable to keep back their tears. They will generally strive to conceal this from those close to them, and they will seldom cry in public.
Are INTPs Prone To Angry Outbursts?
Anger is a pretty common feeling that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. For some people, this occurs more frequently, while for others, it appears to be simpler to avoid being furious about so many things. The problem with rage is that some individuals prefer to suppress it, making things worse in the long term.
INTPs are infamous for bottling up their emotions and suppressing them with a calm, collected, and logical front. People who bottle up their emotions cannot handle their thoughts and feelings in a healthy and controlled manner.
Anger is something that INTPs experience, but it isn’t necessarily something they display externally. They might be cautious when it comes to expressing emotions and prefer to keep these feelings to themselves. INTPs like to concentrate on rational intellect and may avoid their own emotions to do so.
It is simpler for INTPs to concentrate on logic and critical thinking, whereas feelings might be confusing and difficult. This can cause individuals to repress their anger, leading to it manifesting itself in different ways without them even recognizing it. Repressing those feelings may be harmful to the individual as well as those around them.
What Happens When INTPs Bottle Up Their Emotions?
The majority of the time, INTP rage and emotional breakdowns stem from an issue or emotion that they have avoided or ignored for a significant duration. They try to put certain feelings aside in order to avoid being perceived as emotional, preferring instead to be as rational as possible. While ignoring those emotions may feel better in the short term, it has a cost in the long run.
Eventually, the INTP becomes more enraged or saddened over something that seemed trivial at the time. INTPs may use small sarcastic remarks to communicate frustration, but the stinging remarks do not help the INTP process anger healthily. They may spend time dissecting such ideas, even coming up with justifications for why they are upset with someone or something.
INTPs have a hard time expressing their inner emotions, and they sometimes wish they could suppress them for the sake of rationality. They also don’t want to appear weak or vulnerable in front of most people, which leads them to ignore their feelings when they could be expressing them more openly to those around them.
For their loved ones, this might be baffling because they are likely unaware that the INTP is genuinely upset or displeased with them. Because these sensations have been restrained and pent up for so long, holding them in generates an outburst that can be quite dramatic.
How Can You Comfort An INTP?
The INTP seeks to make sense of the universe, but they are also acutely aware of the moods and emotions of people closest to them. They may create deep bonds with individuals with whom they share a strong relationship, and they can be extremely devoted and dedicated to those they care about. So how can we comfort these seemingly unemotional people?
Don’t Tell An INTP How They Should Feel
INTPs require alone time to analyze their ideas and feelings, particularly emotions, which are difficult for this rational personality type to process. Talking to someone else right away can rarely aid an INTP in dealing with their emotions. Unconsciously, they are constantly influenced by other people’s emotions. When someone weighs in on their feelings when they aren’t sure how they’re feeling, it doesn’t help and can actually make things worse.
Make Time To Listen
INTPs are prone to first providing their own interpretation of the issue, which you should pay attention to. Even if they speak slowly or with a long pause, don’t cut them off. When things have an emotional influence on their lives or emotional states, they process information more slowly. Remember, they’re thinkers, not feelers.
Don’t Point Out Their Crying
Like all people, sometimes an INTP will cry when they feel particularly upset or emotional. Keep in mind that it’s already a big deal for them to be talking about their emotions, so pointing out that they are emotional is not the best way to make them feel safe and understood. Pretend that you don’t even notice the stream of tears on their face.
Conclusion
INTPs are thinkers rather than feelers. They tend to approach emotional situations with a logical and systematic approach. This doesn’t mean that they are unemotional robots, and you should still understand that underneath their seemingly cold exteriors is a human who thinks and feels the same way everybody else does.
