I am a very strong INTP. What does this mean?

[Nihilist]

Every MBTI test I take, I get about 90%+ in every trait for INTPs. What should this tell me about myself? Should I take the descriptions of INTPs more seriously than weaker INTPs?
On a related note, Is my strength of my P holding me back from being successful in society? I still can't find out what I want to do with my life. I'm 27 with a BSBA in finance and working as a delivery driver at a Pizza Hut. I was in the gifted program in school growing up and always did well in classes. When I went to college, everything just started to seem pointless, I got depressed and my grades slipped. I gave up on college for awhile, lost weight, joined the Air Force but realized in basic that I made a terrible decision (I don't know how INTPs can endure the military) so I got out after being evaluated by a psychiatrist. They called it, "adjustment disorder", I think. Now after working at the Pizza Hut job for about a year, I see my only option as going back to school to get a degree in mathematics. This definitely seems like it suits me as an INTP better than my current degree. I'm so introverted, I've limited myself in my experiences in life, I'm sure. I always overanalyze things like most INTPs but this just hurts my confidence most of the time. I've never put myself out there to get in a relationship because I've held women to a standard they can't meet. I'm a very disorganized person as I'm sure that is attributable to my P trait and I often procrastinate too much as I'm sure that is part of it as well. I just have this gut feeling like I might never find something of myself and be intellectually satisfied with my career. Does anyone have any advice? Is going back to school to get a math degree going to help me? I think forcing myself to be around people again might help me grow and experience things I should have years ago.

 

[Melkor]

It means you can lift heavy things. <3

 

[Observer]

One possibility, of course, is that you subconsciously exaggerate and try to 'live out your type' when filling out the tests. That's not necessarily the case though.

I'll leave it to others to provide insight into the difference between a strong INTP and a weak INTP.

 

[Architect]

The test results showed you how strong you answer MBTI tests, not how 'strong' an INTP you are.

If you wanted a gauge of how strong you are in your type, a functional test would be a better approach. How strongly have you displayed, Ti, Ne, Si, and Fe. Furthermore the strength would be correlated to this functional stack, meaning that to measure 'strong' INTP you would need to measure weak Fe, for example.

 

[PhoenixRising]

imo, you're trying to live up to a social ideal that just doesn't fit your psychology. It's important to think about what will make you feel fulfilled, not where you "fit in" in the social structure.

Are you enthusiastic about getting a degree in mathematics? Most people with a degree of that sort end up being math teachers. Does that sound like a career you are interested in?

There are a lot of people that graduate from college and can't get a job at all. The economy is terrible right now. If your main goal is finding a field where there are abundant jobs related to the degree you get, then I recommend digital art and interactive (app development, coding, web design, animation, etc.), I.T., biotechnology or pharmaceutical. Digital development and medical are two of the most prominent fields in the job market.

If you are pursuing a degree simply for personal enjoyment, then that's easy. Just study what interests you most.

As far as relationships go, if the girls you meet don't live up to your standards, then why be in a relationship with them? Do you have to have a girlfriend to be happy? It is not wise to seek a relationship just to be in a relationship. In the long run, being with the wrong person is worse than being alone.

I think forcing myself to be around people again might help me grow and experience things I should have years ago.

This really depends on the kind of people you're planning on being around. Choose a crowd and activities that you enjoy. Being an introvert doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with you. If you don't enjoy extroverted activities, then do something introverted.

 

[kvothe27]

My functional scores are very high. Both my Ti and Ne scored at 90%. I'm a very strong xNTP.

I was more or less in the same spot after graduating with my first degree. I had high marks and was about to go to law school, but I lost faith in that direction and ended up delivering pizzas and drifting among menial jobs for a few years. I also had issues with depression and anxiety. It makes sense that you'd be delivering pizzas. You can operate semi-independently and be lazy. Hell, that's why I did it. That said, it's an incredible waste of your intellect.

I decided to go back to school for a master's in computer science and a minor in mathematics. So far, it has been the best decision I ever made. I've never been happier and I've been successful beyond my expectations in my studies. INTPs tend to enjoy logic, so it seems that anything that's heavy on logic will be a good fit for an intelligent INTP.

That said, I don't know if this would work for you. Going back to school sure as hell beats persisting in apathy though.

If you're going back to school with the goal of attaining a good job, you may want to consider something in computers. The economy may have taken a hit, but the computer industry is still doing well. Where I live, there are currently more jobs for programmers than there are qualified programmers.

 

[Words]

^This should be obvious by now.

I recommend emphasizing more on computer science than mathematics. Strong test scores could mean nothing, other things, or it may mean that you lack well-roundedness. With a name like "Nihilist", I cannot doubt your stress on TiSi(albeit "higher", more abstract TiSi). Computer science, as opposed to pure math, helps you (or rather your cognitive talents) become more attuned or translateable to the real world. It's more practical and social.(someone please correct me) It's more helpful for your holistic development, but I think it's also generally more interesting for the INTP.

 

[IdeasNotTheProblem]

Every MBTI test I take, I get about 90%+ in every trait for INTPs. What should this tell me about myself? Should I take the descriptions of INTPs more seriously than weaker INTPs?

It's good to keep in mind that these tests are not always an accurate evaluation. You do seem like an INTP and I relate to some of the issues you've mentioned. You're not alone in terms of finding out what to do with your life. Most INTPs like to keep their options open.

Is going back to school to get a math degree going to help me?

The only real issue here is motivation. What do you get enjoyment from? Learning something new? Accomplishing a difficult task? Expressing your creativity? Delivering pizza faster than anyone else?

I suggest trying to find a more challenging job before going back to school.

I always overanalyze things like most INTPs but this just hurts my confidence most of the time. I've never put myself out there to get in a relationship because I've held women to a standard they can't meet.

I may be over-analyzing, but is it possible you hold yourself to standards that can't be met? and this hurts your confidence?

I worked construction for a couple old guys who were in the Army together. They both were IXTPs and both were dishonorably discharged for getting drunk and arrested. Pretty funny when they told us all the story...

 

[Hadoblado]

I got over 95% INTP on all my tests. However I am not an INTP, as I use Te and Fi more than Fe or Ti.

My theory is that depression (which I have also) dampens extroversion and feeling, and emphasizes thinking and perceiving traits, or that the MBTI is wrong to align function and dichotomy.

I am most likely an INFP or ENFP when one considers the functions, but I exhibit very strong I, N, T and P dichotomies.

What I'm trying to say is that you should take a good hard look at your functions, as the tests are a load of BS.

 

[ObliviousGenius]

I can relate to you in a few ways. I score high in Ti, Ne and overall Perception, however, I also score high in Ni. I joined the Air Force as well and while there are things that irritate me about it, I have grown accustomed. The steady job and benefits are more than enough to satisfy some minor grievances in my case. I joined because of your same problem. My other option if the military didn't work out was to go through even more schooling despite the costs. I would consider a few jobs (not just a degree) that you are fairly sure you will be interested in and get the degree that correlates. It doesn't have to be "INTP suitable" either. As long as you know which working conditions will make you happy on the job then go for it.

I would also recommend jumping back into the "social game" again. I'm around a lot of different people here in the military and I don't get nearly as much of a social draining as I used to, in fact I rather enjoy the company of my friends. The girls will come although it does help to have a little charm lol. More than anything make sure you come to a decision and stick to it. I haven't felt this good in a while just because I created a plan and stuck to it. Just get shit done and you should be fine. That's easier said than done for us perceivers but remember your motivation.

 

[redbaron]

How much do you deadlift?

'Very Strong' is not quite descriptive enough.