Yes, emotional trauma can cause a person to become a lot more introverted. Along with something as small as a loud noise more traumatic events can clearly change the way that someone acts.
Causes of Introversion
Researchers have found that introverts have a higher blood flow to their frontal lobe than extroverts do. This part of the brain helps you remember things, solve problems, and plan ahead. Introvert brains also react differently to dopamine than extrovert brains do.
Trauma can actually change your personality type. It's very common for people who've historically been extroverted to become introverted due to trauma, & introverts can become extroverted as way to be guarded. People's personality can shift as they age or due to pain.
Introvert vs Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is often mistakenly thought to be an extreme form of introversion. However, this could not be further from the truth and both are quite different. Introversion is about social energy, while social anxiety is a mental illness focused on fear of social interactions.
Introversion isn't totally genetic. It gets influenced by your environment at a young age, and our genes allow a certain amount of flexibility in response. This happens through “set points,” which are the upper and lower limits of how much extroversion your brain can handle.
While introverts make up an estimated 25% to 40% of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy.
Independence. Unique and fiercely independent, introverts are more inclined to let their own inner resources guide them than follow the crowd. We do our best work — and are our happiest — when we have the freedom to explore ideas, spend time alone, and be self-directed and independent.
Even though introverted people tend to prefer time alone, they can also experience feelings of loneliness.
Big crowds may isolate introverts in a way they don't enjoy or gain energy from. We feel most included in small groups of people we're close to and comfortable with. A huge group full of unknowns is about as bad as it gets — and for some anxious introverts, it may even induce a full-on panic attack.
Being asked to speak during a meeting, a surprise party or trip, or unexpectedly running into an acquaintance at the store can feel overwhelming to an introvert. Introverts may also experience more stress when they don't have time to decompress or recharge themselves with some alone time.
Introverts are looked down upon for lack of good 'communication skills'. Right from an early age, introverts have to compete very hard with peers, who seem to have no problem in public or interpersonal speaking. What seems to be effortless for peers is actually the most difficult task for an introverted child.
Introverts can become temporarily disillusioned by incidents that leave them feeling slighted, disrespected, overlooked, or mistreated. For a few hours they may become disillusioned not just with the person who caused their anger, but with humanity in general.
Although it's not a medical diagnosis, it is a valid experience that introverts and extroverts can face. It can be an emotional and physical response to social overstimulation that leaves you feeling drained and exhausted. You might feel physically tired, stressed, angry, or irritable.
Yes, emotional trauma can cause a person to become a lot more introverted. Along with something as small as a loud noise more traumatic events can clearly change the way that someone acts.
Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extraverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extraverts, and also have less social support than extraverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression.
Introverts struggle with the fast pace of many organizations and offices without walls can be rough for introverts who prefer to go inward to do their best thinking. If you're an introvert, you struggle with finding quiet time to gather your thoughts, particularly at brainstorming meetings.
One of the most prevalent myths out there about introverts is that they are shy, insecure, and have low self-esteem. It's an unfair assumption based on our outward mannerisms, personality, and our desire to be in smaller groups or alone. But the reality is that introverts can be shy, just as extroverts can be shy.
Whether it's making small talk to the point of feeling drained or just having a busy day at work, life can be exhausting for both introverts and highly sensitive people. It's not unusual for them to feel quite tired and mentally fatigued at the end of the day, and they may even need more sleep than others.
Introverts may hide their inner feelings or excitement, but that doesn't mean they can't express themselves creatively.
While it's true that both types of personality can experience problems with their mental health, it's widely accepted and proven that introverts are more susceptible to depression than many other personality types.
This means that introverts may process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why introverts are prone to overthinking.
My very basic advice to introverts dealing with grief is to accept your nature and go easy on yourself. You will likely have to endure the rituals associated with the funeral and, for a while after the death, people are probably going to want to check in, call, drop by, and stop you on the street.
On the contrary, introverts have attractive qualities because they're active listeners. They speak less and listen more, which gets people interested in them. What makes introverts attractive is their ability to observe beyond the words people speak. They pay close attention to details and are extremely prudent.
These findings go against the stereotype that introverts are happiest when they are alone. The fact of the matter is that meeting and spending time with others is a happier state than being alone. Not only that, but also when introverts act extroverted, they also report being happier as well.