How can INFPs hurt people? (5 ways)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “How can INFPs hurt people?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

How can INFPs hurt people?

INFPs can hurt people in the following 5 ways – 

• Being standoffish.
• Being eccentric.
• Disappearing often without any notice.
• Shutting down when hurt.
• Not reciprocating your emotions.

These 5 ways in which an INFP can hurt people will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

• The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
• The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.

• INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.

• INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.

• INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 5 ways in which INFPs can hurt people?

Being standoffish.

INFPs are not the sort to engage in meaningless conversation at a party, and because some of them are excessively apprehensive in social circumstances, they are more likely to be the weird ones relaxing in the corner by themselves.

It is applicable to practically every scenario in life. INFPs have days when they are extremely involved and excited about their friends and the world at large. On other days, they are completely immersed in their own world, doing their own thing.

INFPs also strive to avoid panic attacks by concealing their inner anguish and not letting others in on it. Some friends, especially those who aren’t INFPs, are taken aback by their abrupt aloofness.

Being eccentric.

INFPs’ capacity to connect with friends is heavily reliant on their energy, which is reliant on the fluctuation of their emotions.

Before they can be sociable, INFPs need to be alone to reset and recharge their batteries.

INFPs may feel like making arrangements with their friends on the spur of the moment, but when the time comes, they flake out since their internal system is in disarray and not optimum for human connection.

It’s considered impolite, but INFPs would rather skip out than show up and provide less than our best effort. They appreciate their connections and, at times, take them so seriously that they’d prefer not to hurt them with their inner conflicts.

Disappearing often without any notice.

INFPs are prone to social isolation. Because they are prone to feel misunderstood, they have an inner holy zone where they retreat when things seem too real for them.

Many of them have a lot of acquaintances but just a few true friends, and even fewer individuals they trust/feel secure with and can open up to. As a result, when they encounter a stumbling block or become overwhelmed or anxious, they may shut down and shut everyone out.

It can take the form of not responding to their friends’ calls/texts/emails, not following through on plans, deleting all of their social media accounts, and overall living like a hermit for a while until they weather the inner storm.

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.

Shutting down when hurt.

INFPs have a unique vibe, and anything left unsaid will be reflected in their behaviour. However, because INFPs are mediators, we find it difficult to be confrontational. 

We favour harmonious relationships over our own feelings, so if we are upset, we may shut down instead of bringing it up. We withdraw to sort things out internally. 

To avoid becoming a gigantic Pompeii that burns everything in its path, we divert the energy within.

During such a period, we may appear aloof and cold-hearted, and our friends are taken aback since it is not who we are. However, if the injury was unintentional, we gradually recover and turn around.

Not reciprocating your emotions.

Weird and impolite, especially when you’re expecting us to jump to the roof after hearing fantastic news, but instead they give you a yeah, grin, and go on to the next item on their list.

INFPs have a lot of emotions, and many of them reach a point in their lives where they realise that not everyone can handle their depth, so they don’t reveal much.

Even when they merely display our feelings on the surface, some people find them “too strong,” thus INFPs try to keep a poker face. When an INFP disengages from conflicts and just walks away from them, they might be seen as impolite.

Because of their sensitivity, they must choose their conflicts twice as carefully as other personality types. To maintain their inner peace, they may have to dress like punk and say nothing if it means avoiding an argument.

INFPs might be difficult to understand. However, when their principles are shared and respected, they may be easygoing and fun-loving, getting along well with others.

INFPs may not always make sense to you, but they are well worth loving. No one can equal the depth of their love for you, even if they exhibit it in the strangest and most unexpected ways.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “How can INFPs hurt people?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and incredibly inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine how INFPs can hurt people. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How can INFPs hurt people?

Can INFP hurt someone?

INFPs are undoubtedly sensitive to criticism and having their feelings wounded. This isn’t strictly false; they have strong emotions and may be quite sensitive when someone attempts to poke fun at them, even if it’s not their purpose at all.

Can INFPs be evil?

Destructive INFPs are self-absorbed, self-righteous, and oscillate between being passive and very judgemental. They prefer living in their dreams but are unconcerned with the practicalities of daily life. They may disregard their loved ones and family members in order to live in their own world.

What hurts an INFP the most?

Because INFPs are naturally sensitive, they may be harmed more easily than others by harsh criticism. INFPs are prone to taking negative comments personally and feeling angered or attacked as a result of it.

Are INFPs serious people?

INFPs only reveal their true feelings to their closest pals. Despite their kindness, some individuals regard INFPs as aloof. INFPs are “selectively nice,” sombre, unapproachable, and bland in their eyes.

What makes an INFP cry?

INFPs are readily moved to tears because they see a deeper significance in practically everything they see or experience. An INFP responds to true delight, disappointment, or a profound understanding with overflowing emotions, which they may express overtly by sobbing.

Are INFPs the worst type?

INFPs become highly sensitive and self-aware in their most unhealthy form. They frequently struggle to explain themselves and feel profoundly misunderstood. As a result, they prefer to distance themselves from others and regard themselves as better or worse than the majority of society.

References –

Moodie, K. How Each Personality Type Responds When Their Feelings Are Hurt. (2017, July 20). Retrieved from https://personalitygrowth.com/how-each-personality-type-responds-when-their-feelings-are-hurt/#:~:text=INFPs%20take%20their%20close%20relationships,retreat%20inward%20for%20a%20while.

How do I hurt an INFP? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-hurt-an-INFP

Mathias, M. 6 Things That Hurt INFP But They Will Never Show To the World. (2021, October 14). Retrieved from https://www.mathiasway.com/what-hurt-infp/

Abissa, F. 6 Things INFPs Do That May Seem Rude to Their Friends. Introvert, Dear. (2019, December 23). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/6-things-infps-do-that-may-seem-rude-to-their-friends/

Stafford, S. INFP Hurt Feelings: How To Deal With Emotional Wounds. (2019, December 20). Retrieved from https://personalitygrowth.com/infp-hurt-feelings-how-to-deal-with-emotional-wounds/

Storm, S. Understanding INFP Feeling. Psychology Junkie. (2017, February 20). Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/02/20/understanding-infp-feeling/

INFP Stress, The Empath Type. Crystal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.crystalknows.com/personality-type/infp/stress

Is this true? Is this the way you hurt people? Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/hebgkr/is_this_true_is_this_the_way_you_hurt_people/

Storm, S. How Other People See You, Based On Your Personality Type. Psychology Junkie. (2018, October 16). Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/when-infp%E2%80%99s-get-hurt.142249/