[Hasway]

I found out by taking a dumb test on facebook, and it said something about introvert vs extrovert. I looked up introvert, because I didn't know what it meant,and found tons of articles on it. I told my mom I was an introvert that day and her response:
"You can become an extrovert,still."
Thanks mom. That's all the support I need, right there.

[Harmony]

It took me some time to discover I was an introvert... What pushes me over to introvert rather than extrovert is that I don't like to share my feelings a lot of the time.

I'm definitely not the typical introvert, I like to go out and hang out in public places a lot, and be surrounded by friends. But, only a couple of my friends really know me.
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[LionsPride]

It wasn't really easy for me to tell one way or the other. As previous posters mentioned, I was quite content to play on my own, but I was also content to play with others. I don't remember the first time I learned the term, but I do remember that I couldn't tell which side I was on. It took a long time for me to understand which was my preference. I eventually sorted out some trends such as realizing that when I went out with a group of people I wasn't really myself. Often I had to draw on the energy of a second person. It meant that if I went to a social event and I wasn't with an E or a close friend, I wouldn't meet new people.

Once I noticed that, I began to remember events in my past that were clear indicators of introversion rather than me just being weird as I originally thought. One stands out in my mind, a guy in my class in 5th grade invited his homeroom to his birthday. I went, but the socializing with people for that length of time (and I didn't have a close friend in that class to help me) was so draining that I wandered off into the bush to hide from them. At the time I didn't know why I had the feeling I had to get out, I just did. Later in life, the feeling manifested as a need to be elsewhere rather then a need to get away from 'here'. Like hearing a phone in another room. It's not that you desire to leave the current room, only that the other room requires your attention. In my case, that other room never had people in it...

Now that I understand I am introverted, I respect my limits and do my best to manage them. Only the people who know me really well would peg me as an introvert. I'm much better at socializing now, but heaven help someone who tries to take me to meet new people on a whim.

[Cocoa]

In high school I had many friends. I don't know how that happened. I think I can relate to people's experiences. I notice that I could always blend into any ethnic group and be accepted, for example.

As I moved on to university, I realised more and more that I enjoy solitude and my racing mind more then any conversation I could have about what Paris Hilton is up to now:P.

I have since then faded out crummy friends, but the true ones are still here.

[Chilifoot]

I always knew this, but I don't know where from. But I believe not every extrovert knows that socialicing isnt the thing everybody wants to have.

[Tyrant Soup]

	Originally Posted by Pandemonium To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Along came the magical MBTI that said you are different and there is nothing wrong with you. There on you cherish the MBTI, for it solves all your identity woes.

Discovering MBTI simply provided a comfort in the knowledge that I am not alone and that my idiosyncrasies are not necessarily a shortcoming. It's also reassuring to "meet" other intelligent people with similar tendencies.

I believe it is similar for others also. Very few are using MBTI as a crutch.

[Pandemonium]

	Originally Posted by Tyrant Soup To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Discovering MBTI simply provided a comfort in the knowledge that I am not alone and that my idiosyncrasies are not necessarily a shortcoming. It's also reassuring to "meet" other intelligent people with similar tendencies. I believe it is similar for others also. Very few are using MBTI as a crutch.

There is more or less an allusion that they do.

My rants were just personifications of my inability to empathise with issues on regarding the creation with identity.

[Airfire]

I grew up in a family of extroverts and realized at a very early age that I was different. I was constantly hounded and told to "be more social," many times being physically coerced into doing so. I can remember being a little misanthropist because of it.

Sadly, though, I was brought to a family therapist and identified as a schizoid before I was identified as a very introverted child. I only discovered the personality traits of being introverted/extroverted around the age of 11, after reading up on it online, while trying to ascertain why I was so different.

[IronKingLeo]

Yeah, I'm with you there. I can be perfectly fine by myself. I've been that way since I was a kid.

I remember all the way back in kindergarten, the teacher would always tell me to "smile."

Didn't get along with anyone, and I have to put on a super-mask around most people.

I learned the concept of introversion throught MBTI, like everyone else.

[Isis]

	Originally Posted by True Rune To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I came from a family of introverts, and I'm pretty introverted, I just thought of extroverts as "talky", so did you want an answer of "noticing your introverted-ness" or learning the concept of introversion?

Yep, more the latter... learning the concept of introversion. I just wonder had I learnt the concept of introversion at an earlier age, whether it would have helped overcome the feelings of inadequacies I felt growing up surrounded by extroverts. It wasn't until I learnt that these personality traits were normal that I stopped trying so hard to be as social as everyone else.

It's great to hear that people have had parents or friends or siblings that have understood their introverted tendancies. If I ever have an introverted kid then I'm going to make damn sure they know there's nothing wrong with them
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[llBradll]

I'm what you would call an extroverted introvert. That being said, for the longest time the mix just made me feel very socially inept. I felt like I was really an extrovert, but I would do most of the thinking inside my head and then expect others to understand. When I took the myers briggs test, it revealed that I'm just not completely translatable to others because of the leaps of thought that I go through internally.

I figured that out about half a year ago, and it helps a ton to see how you function individually. Now I know that when there is trouble with my communicating, I need to slow down the explanations because people won't naturally skip the same steps that I do.

	Originally Posted by Isis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I just wonder had I learnt the concept of introversion at an earlier age, whether it would have helped overcome the feelings of inadequacies I felt growing up surrounded by extroverts.

It would be a great help. I have no doubt about it.

[Isis]

	Originally Posted by rara avis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	My mother always said with pride that when I was small, she could set me aside & I'd keep myself busy indefinitely without needing attention or interaction. (Bonus for an I mother! To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. )

Ditto, when I was 3 my mum would leave me in the corner cutting pictures out of magazines whilst my brother and sister ran around outside playing.. and when she came home from work I'd still be in the corner, lol
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[Zilal]

I think the first time I read the word introvert I could tell what it meant from context, and knew it applied to me. It wasn't a big deal.

[AnEskimo]

I didn't know the term until MBTI, but I knew it since I was a small child. Always been very quiet and reserved. Always enjoyed alone time and such. When I read it in the test I was just like: Hey, that's me!

[Bobert]

I didn't know until about 10 years ago when I took a test.

But many of my grade school report cards had "Does not work well with others" on it.
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[ssrprotege]

I realised I didn't want to face the fact that I was introverted as I discovered the MBTI. I was expected to be extraverted because of my parents and peer pressure (societal pressure made me to develop even S to some extent...); but now that I studied MBTI I realise I didn't feel quite comfortable with people in general and I much preferred to talk to myself...it wasn't surprising that I got a very high score in introversion (nigh 100%) now that I look back.

[StUdio V]

	Originally Posted by Bobert To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	But many of my grade school report cards had "Does not work well with others" on it. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

my elementary report cards also had notes that i was distant/remote

but by age 9-10... after psychologists & sociologists interviews...
i had them pawn my 'remoteness' on being a refugee, with language differences, and all compounded by the unexpected death of my adoptive father.

after that, i just became a sort-of 'outcast' ...
in the manner that a character named 'Maynard G. Krebbs' of the TV sit-com "Dobie Gillis", was portrayed as a harmless beatnick outcast, whereas Dobie & Zelda were todays pop-culture icons.

[punkyplatypus]

I've never felt comfortable in crowds or in groups. I never enjoyed making friends or going out to be with other people. I always enjoyed solitude & entertaining myself with puzzles, games, and imagination. First I considered myself shy, then a loner, "the strong, silent type", antisocial, misanthropic, and finally socially retarded. I didn't use the word "introverted" until I was introduced to the MBTI.

[thiagofralves]

I never needed a test to tell I was an introvert, because I'm obviously one. Since I was kid I was extremely shy. I'm not that shy anymore, but I obviously wasn't the most talkative person and will never be (well sometimes people tell to shut up because I'm talking too much, but this is indeed rare).

[Rho1334]

I knew for a very long time...in school I'd read instaed of recess...in high school i'd sit off by myself and ponder existance...when i got older i picked jobs that required me to work long periods of time alone...but i guess i really didnt think about it until after my divorce

[Octavianus Caesar]

My mom would always tell me how I would entertain myself when I was younger, especially, when my brother would sleep over our grandma house, my mom would tell me, how they would "forget" I was even home.

But I noticed this while growing up, the need to not be around people, being content to being by myself or just having one person around me and keeping away from everyone else.

[ranwayslo]

When I was in college the first time I was recruited into a leadership program. Part of the requirement was a full mbti work up and voila.

[Hasway]

	Originally Posted by IronKingLeo To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Yeah, I'm with you there. I can be perfectly fine by myself. I've been that way since I was a kid. I remember all the way back in kindergarten, the teacher would always tell me to "smile." Didn't get along with anyone, and I have to put on a super-mask around most people.

To put it simply, I hate the super-mask. Society forces me to wear it, and to not be myself.
I never smiled during any dance recitals
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.
I have always been introverted, and my mom is always forcing me into social situations that pertain to "inviting people over."

[Cholophylled]

When I was about 13 I asked my dad why I didn't like being around other people. He said I was an introvert, like him. He said it ment that I didn't need the constant company of other people to feel happy and that I was smart enough to think for myself. Still makes sense to me!

[Liddwyn]

Originally Posted by Isis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I've always been an introvert, but up until a couple of years ago I was unaware there was a classification for the personality traits that made me the odd one out amongst others. I used to just think there was something really wrong with me. Having grown up with so many extroverts it's still hard to believe that the introvert ratio is about 3:10. Even my mother used to tell me I was odd for spending so much time in my room, and all my friends were certainly extroverts and always perceived me as the quiet but witty one. It was only until I was at a bookstore one day with a friend, browsing through the self-help section that I came across a book called 'The Introvert Advantage'. Finally I didn't feel like such a fool for thinking things like 'my friends make me tired'. So my question is, how and at what stage of life did you discover that you were an introvert, and did it change the way you perceived yourself?

I have always been an introvert. I remember at a young age being referred to as being quiet, abnormally so, and, if anything, I have only gotten quieter. The word "introvert" being applied to who I am is of little relevance to me. The word does not make me an introvert, my personality does. So, for me, it did not change the way that I perceive myself. The most the MBTI has done was to set me onto the path on finding introverts such as myself, lurking on the internet.

I, too, for many years, reaching its climax, recently, have felt that there was something horridly wrong with me, and that that was the reason that I was so different from anybody that I knew. Now, meeting people with similar interests as myself, I can lay to rest my feelings of monstrosity and carry on with my life.