ENTP Anxiety: Dealing with the Many Forms of Anxiety
Anxiety is something most people deal with to some extent, but some people can be more prone to anxious feelings or behaviors. There is some correlation to personality types and anxiety and even to anxiety disorders. Sometimes this is simply because of their overactive minds and the way their natural functions process the world around them. For some people anxiety can simply be a temporary response to the stress around them, or from negative habits which have pushed them in this direction. Of course there are also times when this is an actual clinical anxiety which needs to be treated by others means like medication and seeking help from a licensed therapist. With anything there are often many ways to seek help, and it is important to take the appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
ENTPs have very active thoughts which can jump from one thing to the next rather quickly. ENTPs can certainly keep up with this inside of their minds, but overthinking is still an issue they face at times when they are struggling to solve a problem. They might not show this outwardly but ENTPs can certainly deal with anxiety just like anyone else. They have certain qualities and behaviors which can often trigger these anxious feelings, and so it is useful to understand them on a deeper level. For the ENTP to learn how to deal with their anxiety they do have a self-reflect a bit more, and actually take the time to understand what is going on to make them feel this way.
The Overthinking Trap
ENTPs have incredibly active inner minds but they can get trapped in a cycle of analysis. Sometimes this is tied into their loop, causing them to feel anxious and obsess over certain details. ENTPs can certainly get caught up in trying to figure out a problem to the point where they go down a rabbit hole of thoughts. This is something which is more likely to happen when they are feeling stagnant and haven’t had the chance to explore something new in a while. This stagnancy often causes the ENTP to feel more anxious and sometimes they struggle to find a way to escape those feelings. Sometimes seeing all of the potential and possibilities around them but not being sure which path they want to take, can actually spring up anxious feelings for the ENTP. They can struggle with a fear of missing out, since they know that making a choice excludes them from another path. ENTPs want to be open to exploring different options, and sometimes this causes them to bounce around. While in the moment they might enjoy this, ENTPs do become fearful that they aren’t taking the right steps and might be missing out on something else. Part of this is because ENTPs do often have a fear of failure, and becoming much harder on themselves than most people are conscious of. ENTPs mask this anxiety with humor and so most people don’t realize when they are experiencing doubts or insecurities about something.
Self-Care
While ENTPs might not be focused on emotions, that doesn’t mean self-care isn’t an important thing for them. They have a tendency to become so caught up in their thoughts and exploring different theories, that they can neglect their own physical health. Getting buried inside of their active minds for long periods of time can certainly cause the ENTP to push aside some important needs. They don’t always take the time they need to focus on themselves, whether this be their physical health or emotional health. ENTPs can neglect their feelings for long periods of time, which is why anxiety can creep up on them. When they go without eating healthy or tending to those needs, anxiety is just something which comes with the territory. Suddenly not feeling well and being unsure why, can sometimes cause the ENTP to feel anxious and even jump to the worst conclusions.
Social Anxiety
The ENTP who deals with social anxiety is likely to try and analyze every single action of the people around them. They try to pay attention to their responses and behaviors in hopes of understanding their motives and if they actually like the ENTP. They become hyper aware of how they are coming off to others, and want to be sure they don’t behave weirdly or divulge any personal information. They might be fearful that people are judging them and that people will use any personal information against them. This can certainly make the ENTP paranoid, since they might even try to use their ability to analyze as a means of dealing with their social anxiety. This isn’t often helpful, it ends up making the situation worse as the ENTP tries to force themselves to understand even the smallest of facial changes or responses. This is trying to use Fe as a means of reading people and this is not the ENTPs strongest function, which can actually cause them more stress.
How to Deal
Humor is often the go-to coping mechanism for the ENTP, but that doesn’t mean it helps much with anxiety. Initially it can be a good way for them to get their feelings out, without having to feel the pressure and anxiety of how people will perceive this, since it is simply a “joke”. For the ENTP trusting in their intuition and exploring their Ne is actually a helpful tool as well. If they feel stagnant and caught up in their own thoughts they often need to find something new and exciting to explore. Sometimes doing this with a friend or loved one can help them experience it with a new perspective. ENTPs need to surround themselves with people they trust, people who aren’t going to make them feel guilty for making mistakes or following a path which others feel is unusual. For the ENTP an important step towards dealing with their anxiety is being willing to accept it, and ultimately seeking the appropriate help. Doing their own research can certainly be comforting for them, but sometimes this leads them down the path of self-diagnosing which can be dangerous and cause them even more stress in the end. It isn’t always easy for them to ask for help, but sometimes it is necessary.
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