INTJ Depression? Ni-Fi Loop

Summary

In this video, Lindsay Lijo explains the concept of the Ni-Fi loop in INTJs, a cognitive pattern that involves running repetitive mental simulations (Ni) and reliving the associated emotional responses (Fi). When faced with a future scenario that evokes sadness or anxiety, INTJs experience a loop of emotional processing, often leading to temporary depression. Unlike others who may experience emotions briefly, INTJs may revisit the same scenario hundreds of times, deeply affecting their emotional state. The video sheds light on this inner struggle, offering insight into the INTJ's complex emotional world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Ni-Fi loop' refers to a process where an INTJ repeatedly experiences an emotion (Fi) tied to a future event they are mentally simulating (Ni).
• 😀 INTJs typically run one deep simulation about a future scenario rather than multiple possibilities, leading to a focused and singular mental process.
• 😀 If the future scenario involves a deeply sad or upsetting outcome, INTJs experience the emotion associated with it repeatedly in their Ni-Fi loop.
• 😀 This emotional loop may be experienced many times, unlike typical people who may feel sadness about a future event only a few times.
• 😀 For INTJs, this looping experience can feel like a 'chronic sadness' or depression as they repeatedly process the same emotional scenario.
• 😀 The simulation is highly accurate for INTJs, and they often trust that their predictions about future events will come true, which can make the emotional loop feel real.
• 😀 INTJs may experience this emotional loop over an extended period, sometimes needing breaks to process it in 'sprints' before returning to the loop.
• 😀 Other people may not understand the depth of this emotional processing, as it involves dealing with something that hasn't yet happened, but feels very real to INTJs.
• 😀 The loop is described as a process of 'sleep processing,' where the emotional simulation gradually shortens as INTJs work through it over time.
• 😀 Despite the emotional difficulty, the process eventually resolves, with the duration of each emotional loop gradually decreasing with each iteration.
• 😀 The video highlights that understanding the Ni-Fi loop can bring insight into how INTJs handle deep emotional experiences, particularly when dealing with sadness or depression about future possibilities.

Q & A

What is the NIFI loop, and how does it relate to INTJs?

The NIFI loop refers to the interplay between Introverted Intuition (Ni) and Introverted Feeling (Fi) in INTJs. Ni runs simulations of future events, while Fi processes the emotional aspects of these potential future circumstances. This loop can lead INTJs to repeatedly experience the emotions associated with a future event, which may result in feelings of sadness or depression if the simulation involves negative outcomes.

How does the NIFI loop cause depression in INTJs?

The NIFI loop can cause depression in INTJs because they repeatedly experience the emotional impact (Fi) of a future event through their Ni simulations. If the event is sad or disheartening, the emotional processing happens over and over again, which can lead to a sense of chronic sadness or depression, especially if the event hasn't yet occurred.

What role does Introverted Thinking (Te) play in the NIFI loop?

Introverted Thinking (Te) typically prevents the NIFI loop from running too persistently. Te acts as a control mechanism that can stop the simulation from continuously running in the Ni-Fi loop, which helps prevent excessive emotional processing and can prevent the loop from becoming overwhelming.

Why do INTJs trust their Ni simulations so much?

INTJs trust their Ni simulations because they are often highly accurate. INTJs frequently find that the future events they predict through Ni simulations play out as expected. This reliability in their predictions gives them confidence in the accuracy of their Ni, which makes them more willing to engage with it, even in emotionally charged situations.

How does the NIFI loop differ from other emotional processing methods?

The NIFI loop is distinct because it involves INTJs repeatedly experiencing emotions related to future events through a prolonged simulation process. Unlike other people who may experience an emotional reaction once or a few times, INTJs may re-live these emotions hundreds of times. This extended emotional processing makes the NIFI loop unique to INTJs.

Can the NIFI loop be positive in some cases?

Yes, the NIFI loop can be positive if the future event being simulated is something INTJs are excited about or looking forward to. In these cases, the emotional processing is associated with positive feelings and anticipation. The problem arises when the event is negative or uncertain, leading to sadness or anxiety.

What is 'sleep processing' in relation to the NIFI loop?

'Sleep processing' is a term used to describe how INTJs manage the NIFI loop. It refers to the way they may process emotional simulations in bursts, taking breaks to step away from the emotional experience before returning to it. This can help them gradually work through the emotions in a more manageable way.

How does the NIFI loop impact an INTJ's emotional state?

The NIFI loop can lead to a prolonged emotional experience for INTJs, especially if the simulation involves negative future events. This emotional processing can sometimes result in sadness or depression that lingers for a period of time. The intensity of this emotional experience is often hard for others to understand, as the events causing the emotions haven't happened yet.

Why might others struggle to understand the NIFI loop in INTJs?

Others may struggle to understand the NIFI loop because INTJs are processing emotions related to future events that haven't happened yet. To outsiders, it may seem irrational or overly emotional, but for INTJs, the simulation feels very real, making the emotional experience intense and difficult to explain to those who don't share this cognitive process.

How can INTJs resolve the emotional effects of the NIFI loop?

INTJs can resolve the emotional effects of the NIFI loop by giving themselves time to process the emotions associated with the future event. Over time, the intensity of the emotional experience typically decreases, and the processing period shortens. Taking breaks from the simulation and allowing emotional distance can also help manage the loop.