Hello, I am a new member to your forum, and I have a question. Is it possible for an unhealthy INTP to 'shadow' Fe-dominant types (especially an INFJ specifically)? In INTPs, Fe is the inferior or repressed function, and I've heard that it can go 'berserk' under duress. Myself in particular, when I'm seriously depressed (I have a recurring problem with depression), I tended to score as an INFJ, and feel a lot more "emotional". Has this happened to any other INTPs?
Well, I would not consider INFJs to be the type to "go berserk" under duress, they are very self-controlled typically and prefer to keep their garbage to themselves and under tight wraps, due to the aux Fe. INTPs definitely have shadow outbursts, however, when under stress and without other coping mechanisms in place.
I think some INTPs can develop INFJ-like presentations, however, especially depending on the environment in which they were raised. My top four cog functions are Ti, Ne, Ni, and Fe when I test, for cog preference; and there is some overlap between INFJ and INTP due to the shared Ti (it's primary for INTP, tertiary for INFJ; and if an INTP develops some Fe? Well, there's another connection point.) I have a number of INFJ friends who I get along well with.
From my days of depression, my behavior was more that I either became very passive and very withdrawn -- or if someone came after me and agitated me and I couldn't withdraw, then I'd have an outburst. INFJs can do the withdrawing thing and become a total hermit, or sometimes they just bottle and keep a fake outer presentation, as another way to keep people away, but I don't typically see an outburst; they're more prone to direct it within and have nightmares or get sick.
