ENFP Depression (A Complete guide)

In this brief guide, we will look at the relationship between the personality type ENFP and Depression.

ENFP and Depression

An ENFP in depression may not be their normally friendly and cheerful natures, instead, they may display uncharacteristic and irritable, emotional, defensive, and reactive moods. The typical ENFP may feel overwhelmed or struggle to communicate when in depression, and they may even shut other people out and reject new ideas, that they would usually care for a great deal.

ENFP Depression may usually be described by them as them feeling trapped, and the ENFP who is depressed may sometimes become overly critical of others, and they may feel like they are out of control and this feeling that they are unable to find a way out may cause them to lash out against and blame others.

The ENFP in depression may also be too intent in finding fault with everything as they try to figure out what is wrong, and they are quite different in this regard from other extroverted personalities, like ENFJ, as they tend to focus all the negativity they feel outward, rather than inward, and take it out on others rather than dwelling in it themselves.

In some cases, the ENFPs in depression may be characterized by the tendency they may have to enforce strict order on everything and trying to regain control and feel like they have something going normally in their lives.

Depression: Definition and Types

Depression is defined as a prolonged mental state marked by persistent low mood, an inability to function normally in the day to day life, and related physiological changes that cause discomfort to the individual.

According to Aaron Beck, the ideas of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are daily common in depression as well.

The American Psychiatry Association, which is the world’s leading agency in mental health-related conditions, gives the following symptoms of depression:

• “Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of taking their life”

According to the presence or absence of any of these symptoms, the depressive episode may be characterized as mild, moderate, or severe.

In addition, the APA defines these following types of depression apart from major depressive disorder or recurrent depressive disorder:

• Peripartum depression 
• Seasonal depression 
• Bipolar disorders
• Persistent depressive disorder ( previously known as Dysthymia)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Depression from Stress in ENFP

Stress can often lead to depression, in anyone, but it may especially be the case in the ENFP personality, due to their high-pressure system and their high achievement motivation.

The ENFP puts a high amount of stress on themselves to do well, probably more so than anyone else does, and when someone like that experiences failure it may set them back more so than others.

Due to their high opinion of themselves and thor somewhat reduced ability for introspection (their introverted feeling function is an auxiliary, and therefore not as strong), the ENFP who is stressed may fail to see any fault in themselves, and this may also be used as a method of coping because the ENFP, subconsciously, might think that accepting they are fault may cause more conflict which may lead to them being more depressed or more stressed out.

The stressed-out ENFP may also feel hopeless but they can’t admit it, because they are strong and proud individuals, and they may head into depression once the stress starts leeching their energy and they begin to feel somewhat numb inside.

The stressed-out ENFP may go on pretending that it is not their fault, till things just pile up way too much and even they cannot deny it anymore, at which point the stress may give way, seamlessly, to depression.

ENFP personality is generally very energetic and stress in this personality type may have major physical effects in addition to the typical mental ones, therefore an ENFP in depression may become exhausted and suffer from fatigue very frequently, probably more so than others.

A normal or stressed out ENFP may also have a tendency to give too much to other people or to their work or whatever they are passionate about, and when they try to do too much and fail, it causes them to neglect their own needs for sleep, rest, and relaxation, which may lead to more depression and stress which just makes their performance suffer even more.

Because they are normally so energetic and because they may continue to be so even when they are not feeling that great, the ENFP in depression or stress is unlikely to recognize when things have affected them, and usually, their loved ones may only find out when they become ill or depression gets worse, that they have been so very stressed out or depressed all this while.

ENFP traits that help with depression

ENFPs are exemplified and recognized by their extroverted and curious outlook to everything around them and they are always looking forward to new things to do and new ideas to execute.

The ENFP personality, though they may experience rather intense depression, also has unique strengths that can help if they are in depression or are feeling too stressed out.

Here are some ENFP traits that may help in coping with depression:

Curiosity

ENFPs are highly curious individuals, as they have the introverted sensation function, it makes them explorers of new ideas and places, and they show the propensity to go and experience new things, and this trait can be tapped into when they get too stressed out or depressed.

The ENFP can be recalled to the fact that there are still just so many things they have not seen and their sensation seeking may be used sort of like behavioral activation to get them out of depression.

The fact that the ENFP may also not feel too difficult to get out of their comfort zones to explore and figure out new things and ideas, is also something that works in favor of trying to help them with depression.

The ENFP is incredibly imaginative and open-minded and methods of treatment like Guided Imagery or other relaxation exercises can work very well with them if they are stressed outdoor depressed.

Sensible and observant

ENFPs can be very observant and they can find meaning in the most irrelevant actions that others may not pay attention to, which allows them to believe in ideas that are parts of the big picture and it gives them the unique ability to think differently from others.

The ENFP ability to look at minute details and consider different perspectives may be very handy to help an ENFP with depression as they can be taught to focus on the bigger picture and let go of the things that may be dragging them further down to depression.

Highly Energetic

ENFP is extroverted, and as a result they are always forming new connections with both people and the external environment they live in, and they may be described as bustling with energy as they go to work on all the amazing ideas they have on a regular basis.

ENFPs are also easily excited to tell their friends everything they want to do and they are quick to share ideas and like do this with just about anyone who cares enough to listen.

Due to this typical ENFP enthusiasm, it may be a little easier to to get them to be social and try to find new connections and ideas that excite them when they are experiencing depression, so that they may be able to get back to their original self.

Good at Communication

ENFPs can talk really well, and articulate things with amazing grace and poise, and therefore they are able to express the brilliant ideas they have very well.

When the ENFP is depressed they may not want to talk very much, but if they are encouraged to do so and helped along the process, they might be able to describe what is happening to them and communicate their feelings better than most people.

Additionally, the ENFP has strong people skills, and this can lead to some deep, meaningful conversations which feel very natural and unforced even if they are in depression, and this may renew their joy in being around people, which can be incredibly helpful to them.

Able to Relax

ENFP, whether they are okay or depressed, are good at taking a break from their energy and just getting a little laidback, so when they start to get too strung out with stress or anxiety or depression, they may not be very hard to convince to take a break.

ENFPs know how important it is to simply have fun and experience life’s joys, and their extroverted Intuitive function in the ENFP lets them know that it’s time to change things up, and take a break from things. 

ENFP in depression may find this really helpful as it may help them take time off from their own negative thoughts and the negative circumstances around them, and they may also be able to understand the merit of therapy.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

Friendly and Social

ENFP has an extroverted nature, as mentioned before, and this allows them to have great social circles and this makes for a great support system that just about everybody needs when they are in a depression.

The ENFP’s spontaneity and impulsivity that they show when they are at their best can help them when they are at their worst, in the form of a person who is easily approachable and friendly, interesting, and exciting, and has a cooperative and altruistic spirit.

The ENFP is blessed with an empathetic disposition, and therefore people will automatically flock to them in their time of need because they are going around helping others all the time just as much.

The ENFP can get along with everyone, and this friend circle they create all the time provides great support when they need to communicate their depression and get some help.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we looked at the relationship between the personality type ENFP and Depression. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ENFP Depression

Citations

ENFP Depression & Struggles: How the ENFP Handles Depressed Feelings

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2018/06/30/what-enfps-do-when-they-get-really-stressed-out/