Are there ways to *cope* with being an INTP?

[JBrown5390]

I'm fairly new to all of this but it's opened my eyes so much. Are there any tips you guys could fill me in on?

Sometimes I get these ideas that seem so profound or exciting (to me at least) that I feel I absolutely have to explain or apply my idea in reality. It's so clear in my head (like a picture I can *see* every detail) but once I write it down or explain it, none of it makes sense.

 

[RedN]

then dont write it or explain... just do it

when something comes to my head that i wanted i dont really bother writing or talking about it, i just do it

 

[Coolydudey]

That's something you have to work on. The fact that you see it means that it's been processed by your Ne and the exactness of these visions comes from your Ti. It's stored in a very personal and untranslatable form, so inevitably you're going to have some trouble, but try different word formulations until you find one that expressees your central idea (very) well (your Ti, your dominant function, is good at this). Start from here by then filling in the details etc. To get to the right word formulation, you can start from the details, but when writing or explaining, you should find that word formulation and proceed from there.
It may take some time though, don't rush it, and practice makes perfect.

By wor formulation I mean: a brief text (up to a paragraph, ideally a sentence or two).

 

[JBrown5390]

I wish I could! I don't know where to start other than going back to school to study these things, but that's a big commitment...

 

[RedN]

then start by getting back to school. go find a school that yo uwant that serves this and try to get in. thts your first order of business eh.

school isnt like jail! and youre like stuck with zero choices. if you really want it then just freakin go for it!

 

[JBrown5390]

That's something you have to work on. The fact that you see it means that it's been processed by your Ne and the exactness of these visions comes from your Ti. It's stored in a very personal and untranslatable form, so inevitably you're going to have some trouble, but try different word formulations until you find one that expressees your central idea (very) well (your Ti, your dominant function, is good at this). Start from here by then filling in the details etc. To get to the right word formulation, you can start from the details, but when writing or explaining, you should find that word formulation and proceed from there.
It may take some time though, don't rush it, and practice makes perfect.

By wor formulation I mean: a brief text (up to a paragraph, ideally a sentence or two).

That's actually pretty good advice. I'm going to write that down so I remember to work on it.

 

[Architect]

That happens when I'm working on a creative project (most of the time - I hope). I write down all my ideas in a GTD system (called OmniFocus) which captures everything in a logically organized set of lists (it's structured, but I can work on them in an unstructured way). When I review the ideas I come across ones that don't make sense - usually I didn't clearly write them down but sometimes I just don't get what I was thinking. Oh well, life is short, I have to delete them.

 

[Zero]

I suppose it's like others have said. Working that out takes time and you'll probably have to develop the coping mechanism on your own. I've gotten to the point where I can write out or draw my ideas, but I look back at them and realize they weren't much of anything. Sometimes things become clearer when I don't try to think so much about them.

 

[Monty]

This is a wonderful question... that I have no idea how to answer. I definitely lean towards the bottling-up side of the argument. I'm perfectly aware that I'm not 'all there' so to speak. Sharing that kind of information with others tends to make them nervous or even hostile. So... yeah. Keep it to yourself.

Actually, don't. That's what I do now and it doesn't help whatsoever.

 

[JBrown5390]

Well I went ahead and registered for classes. I'll be taking psychology, philosophy, sociology and geology. People always tell me sociology is boring but that's the one I'm most excited for (I think).

I seem to have this understanding for the structure of groups of people, the bigger the better. The human mind intrigues me, especially when it involves interacting with another. I also love seeing how a group of people might respond to some unforeseen variable being thrown into the mix.

 

[Polaris]

In my experience, being INTP (if this is closest to my type, I'm really not sure...) has always been a lonely existence. Since this type seemingly spends a lot of time alone pondering, it would be easy to fall into the trap of thinking one's ideas are unique and amazing. They may be unique and amazing to a larger percentage of the population, which could potentially cause some sort of division, or even hostility. At university you may be more likely to encounter individuals who appreciate and share your visions. At least, that is my experience (depending on what you study, of course).

I find the sharing of ideas to be one of the most satisfying types of human interaction. I guess it all just boils down to the simple need to be understood and listened to, and therefore feeling less alone.

Good luck with your courses

 

[gilliatt]

As much thinking as we do, we probably become pretty good at it. Just this morning I was thinking that 'the devil' was a lie. It was a lie invented by the gods to excuse their murder of the Creators. The real Creators were larger than any God. Anyway as human beings, we really don't know what we are, what purpose, over all plan the genetic engineers that made us had in mind. We all carry the created genes, they are in us, I try to go back and remember the beginning but I can't. I'm sure our aloneness is important, serves a purpose.

 

[cerebedlam]

Ways to cope with being an INTP?...How about ways of coping with being an OCD/INTP? Tons of drugs and alcohol, escapism through reading, gaming, online jibberjabbing, and so forth...For starters.

 

[ummidk]

my suggestion is, don't cope, live and love life.