How do INTPs express emotion?

[briangriffin32]

INTPs are often stereotyped as one of the most unemotional of types.

So how do INTPs show appreciation and or affection?

I knew one INTP who always sometimes seemed indifferent to me, in that he wouldn't compliment me on anything, and would often bash artists I liked.

i.e. typical conversation:

Him: "What are you listening to?"

Me: "Nine Inch Nails"
Him: "Oh I hate Nine Inch nails. They're so overrated"


He'd often talk my ear off about video games, computer projects etc. that he was working on. However, sometimes when I was about to cut the conversation short because I was busy, he'd seem possessive or angry.

i.e. to go back to the conversation:

[get up to leave]
Me: Gotta go back to work.
Him: Wait! They do scores for video games and stuff, which I think is cool. Don't go. Why are you leaving so soon?

Is this how INTPs usually show emotion?

 

[Peeps999]

I rarely show emotion although I am feeling it. When I do it is normally just an explosion of everything due to something pushing me over the top. The explosion of emotion is normally over exaggerated, or it appears that way because people look at it from the perspective of me getting mad just from one thing when it is really everything coming out at once.

To address what your friend did, it is very annoying when someone leaves during a conversation that I actually care about, and I occasionally that last minute attempt to save the conversation like your friend did.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

http://intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=8080

 

[BigApplePi]

Here are some thoughts, not well thought out:

I will speculate I'm an INTP. I have plenty of emotion. I'm going to venture it's always about ignorance. That is, well let's divide this into two parts:

1. Public, like if I express anger about something with my wife. This is because I'm willing to show it in front of her. As I was saying it's about ignorance. I'm ignorant of something.

2. Private. If I ask myself, I usually know exactly what emotion or feeling I have. But it's always secondary to whatever the subject I'm thinking is. Depends on which emotion how I rate it. Enthusiasm I won't question because it goes parallel to whatever I'm doing. But anger? That's a different story. It's always because I don't see the whole picture.

Part of me holds feelings in contempt but I see that's not true in general. I don't believe I ever use feelings to manipulate others as feeling types do ... at least not consciously.

How do INTPs express emotion? Don't think I've quite answered that. When I'm confronted with a feeling type who is also a J, I clam up ... totally. I revert to a thinking defense and couldn't show an ounce of emotion even if I wanted to. That's a generalization.

 

[Melllvar]

Ugh, emotions. Fuck them.

I'd say we just bottle them all up inside until they force their way out, although it seems like older INTPs gradually learn to deal with things in perhaps a more healthy way. The examples you quoted didn't even remotely seem like displays of emotions, just pieces of conversation.

 

[BigApplePi]

Ugh, emotions. Fuck them.

I'd say we just bottle them all up inside until they force their way out, although it seems like older INTPs gradually learn to deal with things in perhaps a more healthy way. The examples you quoted didn't even remotely seem like displays of emotions, just pieces of conversation.

Hey Mellllvar. You like conversation? You should see what Spinoza has to say. I have his book right here: "The Philosophy of Spinoza" written by him. Get this: the title of Part III:

On the Origin and Nature of the Emotions

Unbelieveable! He has definitions, postulates, propositions, proofs, Q.E.D.'s ... the whole shebang. If you care to, name an emotion and I'll try to quote him if I find it. If you don't care to, don't bother, lol.

 

[Melllvar]

Hey Mellllvar. You like conversation? You should see what Spinoza has to say. I have his book right here: "The Philosophy of Spinoza" written by him. Get this: the title of Part III:

On the Origin and Nature of the Emotions

Unbelieveable! He has definitions, postulates, propositions, proofs, Q.E.D.'s ... the whole shebang. If you care to, name an emotion and I'll try to quote him if I find it. If you don't care to, don't bother, lol.

Edit: I'm just gonna PM you about it, hope that's ok.

 

[pjoa09]

It's all cool. Everything is fine. No really. No.. Yeah it's cool. Here they come yelling again it's fine they don't know what they talking about. I am getting ignored again it's cool... No really. It's all good.

THATS IT.

@$@##%#!*(#&*$(%&*(#&*(%&$(*&%*(# *and abandons everyone for 5 hours*

 

[nanook]

after feeling like i finally got clarity about my enneagramm type, i would randomly open a browser bookmark, to distract myself from the excitement, and as the site opens the first thing i would see is a thread about "how intp express emotion" and i would just stop by and screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmm as loud as i can (using ascii art). an angry scream, relasing the anguish of years of confusion.

seemed like a god idea at the time, although a second later I got ashamed and afraid about exposing myself, and afraid of criticism of my contribution to the thread, like "no intp don't just scream without context. you did it all wrong" and i would be like "omg he must be right, i expressed my emotions in the wrong way. i am not good with those"

so in an attempt to reduce the shame i would take the time to precede the scream by a lengthy explanation that should a) excuse my behavior, based on circumstances that were clearly overpowering me and forcing me to do something silly and spontaneous and b) add something of value/curiosity for the sake of the reader, because if i demand emotional attention from the reader, i should give something in return, only logical. and i would end my scream with remarks about how embarrassed i am about my emotional outburst.

 

[Melllvar]

It's all cool. Everything is fine. No really. No.. Yeah it's cool. Here they come yelling again it's fine they don't know what they talking about. I am getting ignored again it's cool... No really. It's all good.

THATS IT.

@$@##%#!*(#&*$(%&*(#&*(%&$(*&%*(# *and abandons everyone for 5 hours*

LOL. Yeah, pretty much.

/thread

 

[GYX_Kid]

Very, very subtly

It can be tactless to express emotion ...or even opinion, sometimes


But yeah, like others said, sometimes you can just blast it all out if it's bottled up

 

[MissBadHabits]

Emotions are very hard for me to express. I've always hated birthdays and such things that make me the center of attention because even though I'm feeling excited or happy about something I have no idea of how to make that know to other people.
Just in the past year or so I've tried working on this and every single time I try to show my excitement or interest in something the people around me think I'm being sarcastic and get angry. So I've pretty much given up on trying to express my real emotions and just do my best to act out whatever emotion is appropriate for the certain situation. It seems to be working, people don't look at me like I'm rude or a weirdo anymore, but I feel like a dumbass all the time because I'm just over-exaggerating. Oh well it's kind of like a game now I suppose; see how many people I can convince that I'm normal and not a socially awkward chick.
*I've also found out that consuming alcohol is a good way to help with the whole expressing emotion thing.

 

[xbox]

Emotion can be expressed through action.

Emotion: "Doesn't feel right."
Action: Then don't do it.

That's how I work atleast.

 

[Sijov]

I usually find that I'll only express an emotion that is there. Sure, sometimes I'll fake a measure of enthusiasm or whatever if it's called for strongly enough in a given situation (I am generally without enthusiasm, at least outwardly), but I'll only really express a lot of enthusiasm when I am feeling it, and I don't bother to try to disguise that. THis goes for other emotions, joy, sadness, etc. If I'm not feeling it, and I'm not a lot of the time, or not in any strength, I won't express.

However, when I do feel something that deserves or requires expression, I'll let it out in whatever way feels right for the situation (with some exception for anger and sadness and the like if the situation makes them inappropriate). A lot of the time this is learned behaviour in response to the emotion and situation, but the rest of the time, where it's not pre-conditioned, the expression is quite free and childlike, I find.

 

[AlisaD]

after feeling like i finally got clarity about my enneagramm type, i would randomly open a browser bookmark, to distract myself from the excitement, and as the site opens the first thing i would see is a thread about "how intp express emotion" and i would just stop by and screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmm as loud as i can (using ascii art). an angry scream, relasing the anguish of years of confusion.

seemed like a god idea at the time, although a second later I got ashamed and afraid about exposing myself, and afraid of criticism of my contribution to the thread, like "no intp don't just scream without context. you did it all wrong" and i would be like "omg he must be right, i expressed my emotions in the wrong way. i am not good with those"

so in an attempt to reduce the shame i would take the time to precede the scream by a lengthy explanation that should a) excuse my behavior, based on circumstances that were clearly overpowering me and forcing me to do something silly and spontaneous and b) add something of value/curiosity for the sake of the reader, because if i demand emotional attention from the reader, i should give something in return, only logical. and i would end my scream with remarks about how embarrassed i am about my emotional outburst.

Amazing.

 

[IzlaRoza]

I have to agree with alot of the things my fellow INTPs have previously stated. I tend to suppress my emotions, (with information of all kinds). When emotion is shown, its usually something very minor (the straw that breaks the camel's back) that causes me to explode. To the outsider, it will seem like an exaggerated over reaction. Its much more than whatever the petty incident was, it was a compilation of everything that has irritated, agitated, frustrated, or enraged me since the last time i blew up.

After a major explosion, I usually just want to be left alone for a few days .

Aside from the blow ups, I will admit that I am very sarcastic and may come off as negative to alot of people on a day to day basis. I guess thats 1 way of expressing the way people act toward me.

 

[Roran]

When I'm pissed, I will do one of three things: 1. (Minor irritation stemming from a single action) Enunciate my words clearly, and express my distaste at the person. 2. (Rage explosion at a person) Rage out, scream, yell, swear, etc. 3. (Dislike of a group or body, e.g. school) Be more pessimistic than usual, point out the negatives of said group, etc. I don't smile very much, except when I'm laughing (does that even count?), which I also don't do frequently. I usually don't express sadness, not obviously, at least.

 

[alrai]

When I'm pissed. I pretend I have an army of followers who will just do anything I say, I send them out to basically to try hurt my enemies. It actually feels good.

 

[BigApplePi]

You should see what Spinoza has to say. I have his book right here: "The Philosophy of Spinoza" written by him. Get this: the title of Part III:

On the Origin and Nature of the Emotions

Unbelievable! He has definitions, postulates, propositions, proofs, Q.E.D.'s ... the whole shebang.

As I was talking to Melllvar, this Spinoza guy goes quite far with being precise about emotions. Don't think he says how they are expressed though. That must be up to each individual temperament. Here's a basic one, and I may give more later:

XIII. Fear is an inconstant pain arising from the idea of something past or future, whereof we to a certain extent doubt the issue.

XII. Hope is an inconstant pleasure, arising from the idea of something past or future, whereof we to a certain extent doubt the issue.

Do you want to see more? I haven't Googled the thing.

 

[digital angel]

We have emotion...thinking is our strongest trait, though. Give it time. Also, don't take things personally.

 

[astroninja]

It is true that most INTPs don't show outward emotions much, but there is a reason for this.

For some reason, most of us feel that commonplace expressions of love might not do justice to the way we really feel for someone, be it for a friend, family member, or special other. For example, repeatedly saying nice things to someone might come across as contrite and lazy, uncreative or ridiculously simplistic. However, the idea of intentionally thinking of new ways to show our affection might also lead us to think that the deliberateness of the attempt undermines the very idea of showing it. This of course leaves most INTP in a confounding situation, and essentially 'stalls' us from reacting in an outwardly emotional way.

That being said, know that when an INTP does a small lovely gesture for you - be it a simple holding of your hand, an assurance of support, or defending your honor against an insult from another person, etc - that actions is intrinsically poignant and done so with intense feelings of affection. Once an INTP feels a sense of love and loyalty towards you, you can almost certainly count on him for support through all the hard times. We don't abandon the wagons easily.

 

[Dimensional Transition]

Positive emotions to me: Making jokes and observations more often, trying to act interested in others more, to show I appreciate them. (It always feels really forced to compliment people and such to me, but I really do mean them.)

Negative emotions: Cursing a lot, and then I really mean a lot. Becoming completely irrational and childish.

In general, I find it quite hard to show emotion. It feels awfully vulnerable and cliché. Emotions remind me of stupid things, like love poems, commercials, television, mainstream music... Yuck. Emotions can be beautiful as well though. Vulnerability and sadness are beautiful. As well as seeing true love and serenity in people, it's just that... usually people who show a lot of intense emotions seem dangerous and programmed, in a way, to me.

 

[Minuend]

We slap you around with a large trout

 

[EyeSeeCold]

We slap you around with a large trout

Isn't that from mIRC?

 

[Hypocritical truth teller]

I am INTP but I don't believe that any human can be so called unemotional. Realizing your emotions and getting in touch with them is another problem, at least for me. Birthdays for example - I never felt excited and therefore I never could understand people always putting you in center because you were born on this date XX years ago (probably it sounds stupid but thats how I feel). Situations like that make me feel uncomfortable. Because of that I think I have problem with expressing my emotions. And honestly - I never know what I feel. Usully I can feel about smth in so many different ways that I don't even think I take it personally or emotionally.
Also, I don't have a real need expressing these emotions - for me - they are smth I handle myself. I don't have real problems with them. They don't ever upset me. The problem could also be how I see other people. I believe some emotions make sense but sometimes people feel the weirdest things and while feeling these emotions say the weirdest things.
But I do not find myself unemotional - I believe I am quite emotional but I also believe that every emotion which human can have can valuable and used well. emotions can help you progress if you can rule them.

 

[Eindigen]

As an INTP, I can appreciate the necessity of emotion so others feel they aren't misconstrued when talking, but these other types like to dance around conversations rather than tell things like it is... Of course, there are situations that do require an "emotional dance" where you need to express something to get where you want to be, such as in a business setting.

Since I don't normally feel profound emotions save for when (like the others describe above) I'm "pushed over the edge," I will emulate the correct emotions for a situation based on what the situation calls for. Though, if I'm in a small group that I am comfortable with, I tend to lack emotions because I don't feel the need to put on the ruse that I would in a business setting... And let's be honest, INTPs don't want to have to pretend to be something they aren't; that's like dividing by zero.

INTPs that aren't necessarily adept to emotional control (the younger, more socially awkward INTPs) seem to have issues with being able to do the "emotional dance" and will either overdo it or under-do it which might cause problems for whatever situation they're in.

In my relationships, I find that the emotional emulation helps keep me and my partner balanced and much happier, though I only turn that on when it's needed, because it's very tiring. However, it does keep the partner happy.

So, to get back to the point, I think INTPs who have a little less connection to their surrounding situation will have a lot more problems expressing emotions than those who have either worked at it or have a little less dominating trait.

 

[Wittgenstein]

Emotions are the weakness of an INTP. The Fe function provides leverage through which people can manipulate you, and tends to shut down Ti. Developing Fe is important, but you can't blame an INTP for staying somewhat reserved around people he doesn't trust.

I think of trusted friends as a sort of training ground where I can give my Fe function a slightly longer leash, as it were. This helps develop dexterity with Fe so I don't have to shut it down completely whenever I'm around more than two people. Then again, I'm 21 and have not reached anything like Fe maturity, so this could be mistaken.

 

[Lobstrich]

Me: "Nine Inch Nails"
Him: "Oh I hate Nine Inch nails. They're so overrated"

This could simply be because he generally dislikes your taste of music, doesn't have to be because he's "bashing" your taste.

Spoiler

I do not like them either.

[get up to leave]
Me: Gotta go back to work.
Him: Wait! They do scores for video games and stuff, which I think is cool. Don't go. Why are you leaving so soon?

This seems very E'ish. As if he needs you. I don't remember the last time I went "you leaving so soon?"
I do remember that I sometimes, when talking about something I like- I go "I can sense that you want to go home, but let me just finish this up real quick" Which is usually not a problem.

So how do INTPs show appreciation and or affection?

I tell them how I feel. I actually just met a guy I really like spending time with, we have similar interests. I have no problem telling him that "I think you're cool" It's another thing when it's a potential romantic interest. I'm a lot more hesitant and shy, I guess, when it comes to that.

 

[Dave]

I rarely do show affection. I hate physical contact, and normally shy away from most social situations.

 

[Tacoma200]

I can relate to being very uncomfortable in situations like opening gifts which I hate because I know I am expected to have an emotional response and would have to fake it. I also tend to explode once or twice a year on someone that has been annoying me (to everyone's surprise). I can really let things build up by holding them inside. Listening to music can let me connect with my emotions though I don't express it. When among people I know well, it's not uncommon to laugh and joke with them for a short while (then back to thinking).

 

[Question Authority]

I show emotion in very subtle signs. It's the type of thing that people I know well can kind-of sense, about me, but the average person would have trouble seeing. Unless I'm indignant about something. Then everyone can see it. But otherwise, I'm rather passive, so I don't really show much. I guess the most obvious sign I'll ever give, is how close, physically, I am to the people around me. If I'm happy/have positive feelings I'll be near other people, and if I'm upset/negative feelings, I'll be slightly farther away.

 

[Somnium]

Hmm, I am often misunderstood for my facial gestures. For example, once I was trying to express regret to my councellor, but she interpreted my "uncomfortable" smile as a rebellious smile and I got into a lot of doo doo before I graduated.

Also, when friends gave me a gift I was really happy and liked it a lot, but for some reason they thought I was disappointed. I tried to force a smile (because it doesn't always come naturally, but I did truly feel happy) but after I smiled my expression changed to an "awkward embarrassed" face, which was what I thought it was, but apparently everyone thought I was unhappy with the gift.

Online it is MUCH easier for me to express myself, my thoughts and feelings. Typing it out I can think about it so much more. It's easy to make a : D face, or say "thank you".

However, in real life sometimes I have difficulties saying what I feel. Especially towards my parents. I show that I care usually by doing things for them instead of outwardly saying it. Such as maybe doing more chores when my mom is sick, or even just not saying certain things to my dad because I know some words he is particularly sensitive to, even if we are arguing. However, things that I don't say to show I care are obviously very difficult to notice, and therefore I often come across to my parents as ungrateful and uncaring.

 

[ObliviousGenius]

I hardly ever express emotion, especially enthusiasm, happiness, and sadness. Very rarely will I get angry and if I do it's barely noticeable. If I get aggravated to the point where I feel an outburst is needed than I will, not out of illogical rage, but to make a point. When someone yells all the time they are seen as just the angry argumentative idiot. But when someone like me who doesn't yell a lot do something out of character, it leads all people to stop and listen. In other words, yell to make a serious point (a serious point is something REALLY serious not an argument idk if any of you have ever been in that situation), and keep reserved for mild annoyances.

 

[tepellian]

Hmm, I am often misunderstood for my facial gestures.

I used to be more this way also, though I think I still am sorta.

What I find humor in is apparently strange, too: I've had several teachers confront me with the suspicion that I'm not paying attention because I'm chuckling to myself at different times in class (usually lesson content/stray thought amusement), and not laughing with the rest of the class at jokes or things that just aren't funny, when I am actually (mostly) paying attention. ...the irony is good.

I never personally grasped that whole emotional mindset some people seem to live immersed in. I've learned to understand others' emotions analytically, rather than trying to plunge myself into what seems mostly a world of irrational experience, which I would fail at doing anyhow. I have specific feelings sometimes, when I am alone and thinking about stuff. They hit me once I've done some processing, and there's a sudden moment of realization where I go, "...huh. I guess I'm angry/upset/happy/whatever at that." This might happen if someone asks me, too, and I have a moment to consider the question.

This does not generally happen when I'm in public, except once-in-a-while irritation (not because I'm purposely holding emotions back, but because I'm not feeling anything other than that, one guess why.).

Once in awhile, people will choose me (of all people.) to tell about their emotional life events.

"My mother died last week." *person is obviously quietly sobbing*
"Er...I'm..really sorry......" Commence strained back patting. Or even wandering off. What could I do for them anyway? Best idea is not to stay; I'm inherently curious about everything medical, including why their dead mother died and relevant specifics, and it would be really poor timing to indulge in that..

 

[Marshmallow Moo]

It is true that most INTPs don't show outward emotions much, but there is a reason for this.

For some reason, most of us feel that commonplace expressions of love might not do justice to the way we really feel for someone, be it for a friend, family member, or special other. For example, repeatedly saying nice things to someone might come across as contrite and lazy, uncreative or ridiculously simplistic. However, the idea of intentionally thinking of new ways to show our affection might also lead us to think that the deliberateness of the attempt undermines the very idea of showing it. This of course leaves most INTP in a confounding situation, and essentially 'stalls' us from reacting in an outwardly emotional way.

That being said, know that when an INTP does a small lovely gesture for you - be it a simple holding of your hand, an assurance of support, or defending your honor against an insult from another person, etc - that actions is intrinsically poignant and done so with intense feelings of affection. Once an INTP feels a sense of love and loyalty towards you, you can almost certainly count on him for support through all the hard times. We don't abandon the wagons easily.

This is so true. I couldn't have said it better myself. Loyalty is one my my highest values, but because I cannot express emotions well, many people think I take them for granted. I want people to know how much I care about them, but it is extremely difficult.

 

[Zionoxis]

I think I am pretty good about expressing emotions, at least the majority of them. My only problem one is affection. When it comes to love, I cannot help but retreat inside myself. This could be due to my age, but with girls, there are simply too many variables to show that kind of thing early. I try to look for body language, diction, anything I can get my hands around that would hint that it would be safe for me to move forward. I hate taking risks, and love is definitely one I have the utmost trouble with. Unless I am sure without a shadow of a doubt that I cannot lose, I will not give anything away.

As for happiness, sadness (well...to some extent, they will know I am bothered about something or possibly sad, does that count?), and anger, I still am fine showing them. In fact, I have found that through anger, my words seem to actually make sense to people. I am having a tendency to make a habit of it online (not here), of just pretending to be angry so what I am saying comes across the way I wanted it to. I have no idea why, maybe the audience just listens more when someone is pissed, but they actually KNOW what I am saying without getting it wrong. I guess for the most part, we show emotion just like everyone else, we just have a filter that lets us choose if to show it beforehand or not.

 

[Oedipus]

I tend to show flamboyant, insincere/half-sarcastic affection to people on occasion. I've never really been sincere with anybody in "real life". My friends get annoyed with me for not returning their affection. I'm fine with physical contact as long as I'm initiating it. I hate when people put their hands on my when I'm not ready. My friendships are pretty superficial.
I bottle up my anger, mostly. I get headaches from grinding my teeth.

 

[Essence]

Most of my emotion is shown through my eyes. People have made fun of this because of the way my eyes flare/flicker when i talk to them. I tend to hide my emotions from people i don't know well enough by making my eyes look indifferent towards what they're saying or avoiding eye contact a lot. Aside from that, its basically just little things that I think up to show close friends that i care about them.

For some reason, my friends think i'm sad all the time when i'm just thinking.

 

[Roboman]

I don't.

It's mentioned earlier, they stockpile in the "Emotions-box" and release in a firework, usually when it's highly inappropiate and usually combined with alcohol.

 

[Pride]

I show happiness by smiling, or ranting about pointless intellectual pursuits (or any pursuits; they don't have to be mental or theoretical in nature).

I show sadness by ignoring people, shelling up, and going into the "externally emotionless" state. That is, not letting people see my angst if possible.

I show anger to individuals by intellectually ridiculing them, to a third party by complaining about my perceived flaws of whatever that may be, to stupid drivers on the road by partaking in road rage and yelling very loudly, and to family and friends by trying to maintain physical distance as to quell my rage and not make them feel too terrible because of it.

Sadness is the hardest feeling to deal with, because oftentimes the solution is NOT in the form of a logical rationalization of the preceding events which led to my predicament.

I used to think sadness was an easy emotion for people to take advantage of, but now I don't think so. I believe, truly, that happiness is a easier emotion to lose sight of and thus be taken advantage of by some truly despicable individuals.

 

[Zionoxis]

Sadness is the hardest feeling to deal with, because oftentimes the solution is NOT in the form of a logical rationalization of the preceding events which led to my predicament.

Why do you think this? I often find that by rationalizing the events which made me sad, it is my own personal defense mechanism to get rid of (mostly) the pain. This could be because I find study in psychology interesting, but though it may not be the most productive method (as everyone spews how productive it is to tell someone), I find it quite comforting. I have a weird way of bottling up my emotions.

If I do not feel in the mood to express them, I will rationalize them, I will then keep them inside, and I will fill my time with someone else to cause my intuition to run wild whilst forgetting the original problem. That way, it is not 'bottling up' per se, but more like taking a small vacation from. It does not pile up because it is not on the forefront of my mind.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Carefully.

 

[Lommi]

For me emotions are quite hard to express. I prefer to analyze them, atleast that how it usually ends. I know the feeling, I have it in my head but I don't know a way to express them. Then I start studying it, trying to find where it came from and what it actually means. When enough time passes, I either forget about it or just come to a conclusion that I don't have the means to let it out. This kind of troubles me since quite often it leads to a question whether I can feel at all.

Affection, love, sorrow, happiness are especially hard for me. I know what it feels like to be anxious or what it feels like to be content but I can't really show it.

I can see these things in other people though, and I think that I'm rather good at it. Which leads me to a thought that maybe I am more observant when interacting with others and actually identify the emotions and feelings which I am "unable" to see in myself.

People say though, that even I show emotions but they're not emitted through words or actions - they're seen in my eyes or my outlook in general. Maybe I should take a picture and try writing the current feeling everyday to see whether my friends are correct.

 

[Pride]

Why do you think this? I often find that by rationalizing the events which made me sad, it is my own personal defense mechanism to get rid of (mostly) the pain. This could be because I find study in psychology interesting, but though it may not be the most productive method (as everyone spews how productive it is to tell someone), I find it quite comforting. I have a weird way of bottling up my emotions.

If I do not feel in the mood to express them, I will rationalize them, I will then keep them inside, and I will fill my time with someone else to cause my intuition to run wild whilst forgetting the original problem. That way, it is not 'bottling up' per se, but more like taking a small vacation from. It does not pile up because it is not on the forefront of my mind.

Because many things should not, rationally, affect me as much; however in reality this is often not the case.

My solution is usually something to overtake preceding events, and an attempt to override the negative emotions I may be feeling by way of distraction.

For me, this should minimize whatever pain, distress or discomfort one may be feeling, but this is not always the case.

I have a feeling we may be simply disagreeing on semantics, while the core issue is something rather reconciliatory.

 

[kubikub]

My emotions express themselves. I am terrible at hiding how I am feeling. Anger, sadness, boredom, and irritation are usually the ones that shine through easiest. I can control my actions and it usually takes quite a lot to get me even minorly enraged, but I know my face will belie my calm appearance and behavior.

However, in real life sometimes I have difficulties saying what I feel. Especially towards my parents. I show that I care usually by doing things for them instead of outwardly saying it. Such as maybe doing more chores when my mom is sick, or even just not saying certain things to my dad because I know some words he is particularly sensitive to, even if we are arguing. However, things that I don't say to show I care are obviously very difficult to notice, and therefore I often come across to my parents as ungrateful and uncaring.

I find talking about my emotions immensely difficult, even with those closest to me. I was uncomfortable saying 'I love you' to my parents for a very long time. If they said it to me when I was younger, the closest thing they would get in response was "me too." Now, I'm still pretty uncomfortable saying it to anyone that I'm not in a relationship with, but I know the satisfaction it gives them overrides my hesitancy.
Conversely, in relationships I seem to have no difficulty whatsoever expressing my affection. I still have a harder time with friends but it has been improving. I let them touch me now, haha.

 

[Dapper Dan]

• Happiness: I readily show this. I've been known to become excessively loud and even boisterous when I'm in a particularly good mood.
• Sadness: It's been a while since I've been sad. Mostly it's just been the respectful sadness that comes from an older family member's funeral. I'll shed a tear or two, but that's it. I don't know if I've ever been truly mournful, though.
• Anger: This gets suppressed hard, because I know an explosion is entirely possible. If I feel myself getting angry, I will leave the area. If I can't do that, I'll probably sit down, cover my ears, and shut my eyes. If none of that is possible, get ready for some fireworks.
• Love: I honestly have no idea.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Carefully.

I would use the word rarely instead. When emotion does force its way out, it is rarely discrete or controlled. (At least for me)

 

[SpaceYeti]

I would use the word rarely instead. When emotion does force its way out, it is rarely discrete or controlled. (At least for me)

It was mostly a joke. Any time someone asks you how you did, are doing, or will do something, reply simply "carefully". It almost never actually answers the question, but it always works.

 

[Zionoxis]

My emotions express themselves. I am terrible at hiding how I am feeling. Anger, sadness, boredom, and irritation are usually the ones that shine through easiest. I can control my actions and it usually takes quite a lot to get me even minorly enraged, but I know my face will belie my calm appearance and behavior.



I find talking about my emotions immensely difficult, even with those closest to me. I was uncomfortable saying 'I love you' to my parents for a very long time. If they said it to me when I was younger, the closest thing they would get in response was "me too." Now, I'm still pretty uncomfortable saying it to anyone that I'm not in a relationship with, but I know the satisfaction it gives them overrides my hesitancy.
Conversely, in relationships I seem to have no difficulty whatsoever expressing my affection. I still have a harder time with friends but it has been improving. I let them touch me now, haha.

I find it easier to talk about emotions once you have pinpointed why they are there. The problem is not that I do not care about expressing my emotions, it is that in my view, if one is willingly expressing emotion, he should also be willing to tell why that emotion is there. If I am sad (which in most cases, I would not tell anyone), I will compress the emotion. Otherwise, people will ask "Why are you sad" and my primary objective is NOT to answer them.

The thing I do notice, however, is that I do not talk about emotions because they are so blatantly obvious. In communication, I usually ask someone how life is going because of an emotion, but I never specifically mention the emotion because the emotion was blatantly written all over their face. This is just a theory in the working and a little something that just popped up.

 

[Picopico]

The truth is that my extremely powerful emotions are the one reason that make me doubt whether I'm actually an INTP.

I can absolutely control them, and supress them. But they exist, and if I let them flow, I can be a feeler. They are not triggered by usual cliche shit though. Music, for instance, can actually make me cry. I've cried my eyes out while listening to some Queen songs, for example (These are the days of my life, The show must go on). It's not that I cry whenever i hear them, but If I start to feel them, I do.

Dunno if you get me.