How Neuroticism and Introversion Interact to Produce Chronic Anxiety

Friday, May 17, 2024.

As a marriage and family therapist, I often see how intertwined our personality traits are with our mental health.

For those grappling with both neuroticism and introversion, the journey can be especially challenging.

Research indicates that folks who exhibit both of these traits are more susceptible to chronic anxiety problems.

Understanding Introversion and Neuroticism

Let’s break this down.

Let’s also define our terms.

What is Introversion? Introversion is characterized by a preference for quiet, relaxing environments and a rich inner life. Introverts often find large social gatherings draining and prefer intimate settings.

What is Neuroticism? Neuroticism is a personality trait marked by a tendency toward sadness, irritability, and self-consciousness. Neurotic folks often react more negatively to stress and are more likely to experience mood swings.

The Anxiety Connection

When introversion and neuroticism combine, they can create a perfect storm for chronic anxiety. People with these traits tend to focus more on potential problems rather than rewards. Over time, this negative focus can condition the brain to expect and react to threats, leading to heightened anxiety.

As Dr. Thomas Rodebaugh and his colleagues found:

“…perhaps an introverted neurotic person is prone to experiencing greater anxiety because of a lack of social support to aid in the amelioration of such anxiety (an introverted person may not seek much interaction with others). Thus, an introverted person may not have the coping strategy of seeking social support as an option, which then maintains and potentially exacerbates anxiety…”

How the study was conducted

In a study involving 466 young adults assessed twice over three years, those who were both neurotic and introverted were more likely to experience high levels of anxiety issues three years later. The researchers noted:

“Low extraversion and high neuroticism relate to greater susceptibility to negative affect, less susceptibility to signals of reward, greater susceptibility to signals of punishment, and higher vulnerability to arousal and anxiety.”

The Bright Side

However, it's not all doom and gloom.

Being neurotic or introverted on its own doesn’t necessarily doom one to a life of anxiety.

For instance, a highly neurotic person who is also extroverted may be more sensitive to positive signals and rewards, which can offset feelings of anxiety. This is a lot more complicated than it may seem at first glance.

From the study highlights:

“Even if an individual is highly neurotic, this same individual with high extraversion would more likely also be sensitive to signals of reward, which may offset or mask feelings of extreme anxiety.”

Similarly, introverts who are not highly neurotic are less likely to react to stressors with anxiety:

“…even if an individual is highly introverted, this same individual with low neuroticism and low emotional reactivity would be less likely to react to signals of punishment with negative affect such as anxiety.”

A Path Forward

For those who find themselves identifying with both neuroticism and introversion, it's important to recognize these tendencies and seek strategies to manage them.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and building a strong support network can make a significant difference… a huge difference, really.

Remember, it’s about finding balance and recognizing that your personality traits do not define your mental health destiny. Notice what’s happening with an observing self. When you increase your understanding of these interactions, you can take proactive steps towards living a healthier, more balanced life.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with these issues, don’t hesitate to seek help.

As a marriage and family therapist, I've seen firsthand how addressing these traits can lead to profound improvements in mental health and relationships.

Embrace your unique personality, seek support when needed, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Your journey towards managing anxiety and living a fulfilling life is entirely possible.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Rodebaugh, T. L., Lim, M. H., Fernandez, K. C., Langer, J. K., Weisman, J. S., Tonge, N., Levinson, C. A., & Shumaker, E. A. (2014). Self and friend’s differing views of social anxiety disorder’s effects on friendships. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 123(4), 715–724. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000015