Maybe I am NOT an Extreme Introvert?

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If there is one thing that nobody would ever argue, it's that I am an introvert. I score off the charts on every test for introversion and nobody would have ever doubted it. However, a major recent meltdown I had (that led to an urgent Dr visit and almost the emergency room) has forced me to accept that I may actually be more extroverted than I thought. Dare I say I might even be an extroverted Aspie!

Without boring you with details, I have been mostly alone recently and just like last time I have become completely drained. Since I starting joining groups, being more active, etc that mood and energy levels have improved drastically. I talked to my brother and what he told me shocked me to the core: I might not be introverted at all, I just suppressed my more extroverted nature growing up in order to survive and that's why I had the meltdown! All the questions on the various quizzes asked about doing things alone but never got into details about WHY I do things alone. Short answer, because I'm rigid and can't find anyone to relate to (and don't drink like almost everyone) NOT because I enjoy it.

Looking back, even though I played alone as a child, it wasn't because I wanted to but because I COULDN'T, just like someone who moved to a new country tends to stick to their own culture. In school when I was bullied and rejected, I had to learn to be 'introverted' or I would not have survived. Even though cashier work drained me, I LOVED busy Saturdays in retail and used to leap out of bed because I felt so alive. Therefore, I am forced to believe that while I though I was on the 98th% of introversion, I might actually be close to the centre of the scale. Quite a revelation if I might say so! My brother is no dummy either, he is a very well respected intellectual and knows what he is talking about.

Bottom line: the one thing I was absolutely sure of I'm not so sure of anymore.

You seem like a nice guy--why not? LOL

What did you have a meltdown about? (if you don't mind me asking).

LOL...Not all Aspies are introverted, especially when it comes to conveying their special interests.

It is frequently stated that Aspies are not antisocial or asocial--they're merely "awkward" socially.

I, myself, am not good at pressure work such as cashiering. I'm not a multi-tasker. I wish I had that social impetus.

I'm not introverted, or especially introspective, but I'm almost definitely on the Spectrum.

I'm thinking the same thing...I've been assuming all along that I was a super-duper-introverted NT with a Melancholic personality, but actually, I might be more of an extroverted Aspie...its disconcerting. I'm scared I'm going to start wearing fuschia or something...

I am an extreme extrovert now, but I used to test as introverted because I spent several years as a recluse and didn't remember what it was like to be otherwise...

Thanks. I try My meltdown was triggered by a girl flaking and taking down her profile after talking to me (who actually did get in touch later) but I think it's just the whole loneliness I feel. It probably triggered all the rejection and betrayal I faced in school and from previous girls online. I pretty much couldn't eat or sleep for days and could have literally run a marathon at 3am and finally had to seek help before it was too late.


So true. I remember my teacher saying I was really shy except when she talked about Geography I would not shut up about it. Looking back I was "shy" because there was nothing to say! I am pretty good now but I was definitely extrememely awkward growing up hence the lack of friends and then the bullying.

I also get "Introvert" score on each personality test I do now but I know I was a very extrovert child. My parents told me I used to go up to every stranger I seen (child or adult - no difference) telling them all about myself. I was like: "Hi, my name is Kate, I am here with my parents. This is my mom and my dad. We are waiting for a bus. We are going to my grandma. She will make some pancakes for me. I like pancakes with apples, my mom likes pancakes with cheese..." bleh, bleh, bleh. I was definitely one of those "talkative but odd" aspies, shaming my parents all the time. It changed when I went to school and realized it just makes me enemies, not friends. Then I become introvert.

It may be that you are actually an ambivert--someone who is driven by both introversion and extroversion.

Here are some articles on ambiversion, if you want a more in-depth description: here and here .

I often test as very introverted on most assessments, but I do derive some energy from positive social interaction (as long as it is not too busy, loud, crowded, or long).


On this continuum, I would place myself in the light-to-mid blue part of the chart.

I'm starting to believe that as well. I originally would have said "dark blue for sure!" and nobody would doubt me but now I am thinking probably turquoise. Kinda ironic since it's my favourite colour! Conversely, I always considered my brother red but he's probably more yellow to orange. My point is that my undiagnosed Aspergers forced me to conciously bury my extroverted traits to save my sanity since I was so mercilessly teased and bullied.

^
Yeah, I think I'd be somewhere around there too, an ambivert but closer to the introvert side. I was more outgoing as a child when I was more socially unaware.

I started out as an extreme introvert. If it wasn't for my bipolar I don't think I'd ever know what it feels like to be an extrovert. I still get exhausted even when manic and around people though.

I am naturally more extroverted than I appear as well. I like to wear an "introverted" mask because that's an easy role to play, unfortunately it's exhausting. When I'm extroverted I act way too immaturely. If I fit into a group well I become extroverted and normal, unfortunately that rarely happens. Unfortunately my mask is starting to fall off. I'm less tired at the end of the day, but everyone can see what an immature freak I am. It's all thanks to the stupid teachers paying attention to me. I wish they would just forget my existence so I could be invisible.