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  • - [Narrator] Did you know that up to 40%

  • of the population is introverted?

  • According to a study by a professor at McGill University,

  • introversion has many features that are seen in depression,

  • like a limited need for socialization,

  • tendency to be alone, and an aversion to events.

  • However, depression and introversion

  • are two very different concepts

  • that are often mixed together.

  • People who are introverted

  • may mistakenly be labeled as depressed,

  • while someone who is depressed

  • may be labeled as introverted.

  • While it's true that many people are both,

  • in this video will be looking

  • at how you can tell the difference between the two.

  • Definitions.

  • Introversion is a trait involving your preferences

  • with other people.

  • As an introvert, you may find that you enjoy being

  • by yourself more than being with other people.

  • You may find that social situations,

  • while at times fun, drain you,

  • and that you need time alone to recharge.

  • Depression is the type of disorder

  • that affects your mood and ability to function.

  • Depression is most commonly diagnosed

  • as major depressive disorder,

  • which this video will focus on,

  • but can show itself in other conditions

  • like persistent depressive disorder,

  • seasonal effective disorder,

  • and bipolar disorder, among others.

  • When dealing with depression,

  • you may notice a lasting sad feeling,

  • feelings of numbness,

  • a lack of interest in doing things you used to enjoy,

  • feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness,

  • and difficulties carrying out tasks.

  • With that, here are some signs that you're depressed

  • and not an introvert.

  • You lack energy and motivation.

  • One of the most common hallmarks of depression,

  • according to the American Psychiatric Association,

  • is a lack of energy and motivation.

  • Having depression can make even small tasks feel impossible

  • and taking a nap feel much more desirable.

  • Things that you normally would enjoy doing

  • are just too hard,

  • so you may find yourself sitting out

  • of activities much of the time.

  • This is not usually the case for introverts.

  • Introverts may find social activities draining

  • and need recharge time later,

  • however, they will likely have the energy

  • to go out beforehand.

  • A person who is introverted and not depressed

  • will likely not struggle with feeling overly exhausted

  • and unmotivated all the time.

  • You used to enjoy going out.

  • Another big sign of depression is losing interest

  • in activities that were previously enjoyed.

  • According to Crystal Raypole,

  • a psychology writer from "Healthline,"

  • people with depression may find

  • that going out with friends is not as fun as it used to be.

  • This is different from introversion

  • as introverts generally do not undergo

  • a sudden shift in their preference.

  • If you are an introvert,

  • you likely never really enjoy going out,

  • no matter your mood.

  • Of course, it is natural to change preferences over time,

  • and things that were interesting at one time

  • may not be later.

  • This becomes problematic, however,

  • when you find that nothing gives you any enjoyment anymore.

  • You have problems eating, sleeping, or working.

  • Depression comes with a lot more than a low mood.

  • You may find that with it other areas of your life change.

  • You may find yourself overeating or undereating,

  • that you sleep too much or too little,

  • and that work is impossible.

  • As an introvert, you may find that this is not the case.

  • Psychology writer Jenn Granneman

  • from "Psychology Today" in 2017 states

  • that introversion is related to your personality,

  • and you likely wouldn't experience

  • a sudden shift in any of these areas because of it.

  • You feel worthless.

  • Depression comes with a lot

  • of feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.

  • That it is not necessarily the case with introversion.

  • As an introvert, you may find that you're optimistic

  • and have a strong sense of self and hope for the future.

  • Again, as introversion is your personality,

  • it'll not have such a drastic effect on your emotions.

  • According to the American Psychiatric Association,

  • feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness

  • are telltale signs of depression

  • and should not be taken lightly.

  • While introverts may present as quiet, reserved, or humble,

  • they do not have a bleak outlook on life

  • that is seen with depression.

  • On the contrary, someone who is depressed

  • can outwardly show extroversion and confidence,

  • but deep down feel gloomy.

  • And finally, you isolate, but not to recharge.

  • It's common with depression

  • to self isolate from the outside world.

  • It's also common to do this as an introvert.

  • While this is the same activity,

  • they're done for different reasons.

  • Psychology writer Jenn Granneman explains

  • that with depression, you may isolate yourself

  • because of feelings of unworthiness, hopelessness,

  • or lack of energy and motivation.

  • With introversion,

  • you may keep to yourself just out of personal preference

  • and not because of emotional distress.

  • So while introversion and depression

  • are often lumped together,

  • they're two very different things.

  • Some people simply enjoy their own company,

  • and there's nothing wrong with that.

  • If you feel however that you're struggling with depression,

  • please know that there are resources

  • and there's help out there.

  • Getting in touch with the right professional

  • can be a great first step

  • to getting your life back on track.

  • Thank you for watching this video.

  • If you enjoyed it, please give it a like

  • and share with someone who you think will benefit from it.

  • Let us know your thoughts on it in the comment section.

  • Remember to subscribe to Psych2Go

  • to keep up with our uploads, and take care.

- [Narrator] Did you know that up to 40%

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