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.
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.
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.
The most noticeable signs in a person suffering from PTSD are introversion and joylessness. This condition is characterized by frequent, undesired memories which replay the triggering event. People with this syndrome are unable to take pleasure from things they might have enjoyed in the past.
The result obtained showed a significant influence of child abuse on introversion-extroversion characteristics among senior secondary school students in the study area. Students who were abused were more likely to become introverts than those not abused.
You sometimes suffer social anxiety.
If you get a little nervous when you're in the midst of a crowd, you might be an extreme introvert. Palm sweating, irregular heartbeat, panic episodes, abrupt muteness, stammering, shivering, disorientation, nausea, and intestinal difficulties are all signs of social anxiety.
Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extroverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extroverts, and also have less social support than extroverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who don't talk about their feelings after a traumatic event are no more likely to have problems down the road than those who do express them, new research shows.
To answer your question, Introverts and extroverts are a product of a combination of genetics and environmental factors. The behavior is learned to some extant, but by the same token, you could easily say that they are "born this way." Introverts have a HIGHER sensitivity to outside stimulation.
Introverts have fewer dopamine receptors than extroverts and are more sensitive to the negative effects of exciting situations. That explains why they may leave parties early or not even attend at all. Introverts, quickly feeling overwhelmed, seek solitude to recover from noise and stimulation.
Introvert is formed from the prefix intro–, meaning “inwardly” or “within,” and the root vert, meaning “to turn” (as in invert). The concept of introversion and introverts (and other personality types) was popularized by psychologist Carl Jung in the early 1900s.
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.
Introversion is about social energy, while social anxiety is a mental illness focused on fear of social interactions. The main differences between introversion and social anxiety are: Introverts recharge and feel energized when they are alone whereas social anxiety is a fear of social interactions.
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.
Introversion is considered a temperament — a general way of approaching the world — so for the vast majority of people, it won't change dramatically over time. Once an introvert, always an introvert. In fact, research shows that most people get more introverted as they get older.
Because they are naturally very observant and thoughtful, introverts are also excellent listeners. Great leaders don't just talk, they listen intently — to their employees, consumers, and anyone else around them. They're vocal about their ideas but are also open to feedback and change.
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.
Extroverts' brains run on an energy-spending nervous system, whereas introverts' brains run on an energy-conserving nervous system. This is why introverts feel content and energized when reading a book, thinking deeply, or diving into their rich inner world of ideas.
Introversion is a personality type characterized by traits such as reserve, passivity, thoughtfulness, and a preference to keep emotional states private. Introverts are most comfortable interacting in small groups and with one-on-one relationships, and are energized by spending time alone.
Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Adults may display sleep problems, increased agitation, hypervigilance, isolation or withdrawal, and increased use of alcohol or drugs. Older adults may exhibit increased withdrawal and isolation, reluctance to leave home, worsening of chronic illnesses, confusion, depression, and fear (DeWolfe & Nordboe, 2000b).
Even though introverted people tend to prefer time alone, they can also experience feelings of loneliness.
This means that introverts may process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why introverts are prone to overthinking.
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.