Are All Infjs Considered 'Neurodivergent'

Are All Infjs Considered 'Neurodivergent' explores key ideas related to psychology, presented clearly and practically.

With numerous debates on INFJ forums, articles

and comment sections, it’s a common theme

for some people to think that this complex

personality type is simply neurodiverse in

A term used to explain someone who shows neurologically

atypical patterns of thought or behavior,

is it true that all INFJs are considered neurodiverse?

Before we get into it, we’d love it if you

liked and subscribe to our channel, as well

as to click the post notification bell so

Alright, let’s get right into it, starting

Number 1: External stimuli can become overwhelming

With extroverted sensing and introverted intuition,

the INFJ personality type can certainly relate

to some high-functioning neurodiverse diagnoses.

ADHD, compared to a so-called neurotypical

individual, the INFJ personality type also

experiences sensitivities to the stimuli produced

Loud sounds, bright lights, strong smells,

impact on the INFJ and how they enjoy their

Often considered a “highly sensitive person”

or HSP, with such sensitivities, INFJs are

able to pick up on the details around them

However, it can also lead to them feeling

overwhelmed by their environment and unable

While some people who experience neurodivergence

can become overwhelmed by temperature changes

and textures, most of the INFJ’s sensitivities

come from too much intake of information.

So, while there are many similarities between

the unique mix of cognitive functions that

make both the INFJ and the average neurodivergent

individual sensitive to their surroundings,

it’s hard to say if it's a clear-cut sign

Number 2: They have a superior ability to

Observant and analytical, the INFJ type is

known for their keen abilities pertaining

With their unique cognitive mix of introverted

intuition, extroverted feeling, introverted

thinking and extroverted sensing, the INFJ

is easily able to connect the dots to any

Speaking of their ability to pick up on the

details that most people overlook, INFJs are

able to decode, inspect, research and conclude

Whether it’s simply a curiosity they have,

or a larger challenge that requires prompt

problem solving, the INFJ type can file through

the information they subconsciously absorbed

in order to understand every angle and perspective

Ironically, this behavior is a common trait

Both have the uncanny ability to subconsciously

minute details, and then web their thoughts

together to create an accurate depiction of

Besides the commonality of pattern recognition,

the INFJ personality type and a high-functioning

neurodivergent have something else in common.

Out of the box thinking is the fuel to all

With the ability and sometimes the overall

need to look past societal norms, surface-level

thinking doesn’t cut it for the INFJ personality

They don’t feel pressured to always follow

the rules and expectations of those around

them, and as a result, this introverted intuitive

INFJs enjoy being able to look at things in

approach life from a strict regimen or pattern.

Once again, this is another common assumption

for those who are diagnosed with some form

With such introspection and the need to go

within, both the INFJ and the average neurodivergent

person are introspective and use their minds

to approach things from their own unique perspective

rather than putting limits on how they think

due to the expectations of those around them.

Number 4: Empathy isn’t always a great discerning

Despite the numerous similarities of the INFJ

personality type and the potential conclusion

of neurodivergence, some rely on empathy as

Most specifically, those who are on the autism

spectrum disorder have been previously understood

to have difficulties when it comes to relating

With that information, some INFJs claim to

be ‘too empathetic’ to be on the spectrum,

using this biased piece of information as

However, some sources claim this lack of empathy

In fact, according to Psych-Central.com “Research

from 2018 has shown that autistic people may

have difficulties with cognitive empathy ie.

recognizing another person's emotional state,

the ability to feel another's emotional state

And so, while it may seem like an easy way

to tell whether or not these similarities

mean the INFJ is in fact neurodivergent in

this regard, it may not be such an accurate

in which people who are neurodivergent may

hide their symptoms in order to fit in with

Commonly used amongst communities and professionals

who work with neurodivergent individuals,

masking is used to hide seemingly odd or often

misunderstood traits of a neurodiverse person.

Very similar to an INFJ’s ability to utilize

neurodivergent masking is often done with

a combination of intentional and subconscious

Just like the INFJ type, through years of

practice, high-functioning neurodivergent

individuals learn how to act just like everyone

else around them in order to fit in for social

Unfortunately, as most people with the INFJ

personality type know, masking can only be

If overused, this tactic can lead to burnout,

exhaustion, anxiety and even a difficulty

Both neurodiverse and INFJ individuals require

the time to retreat, rest, and recharge, resulting

in turning down some social outings and the

label of being considered introverted at heart.

Number 6: They find it seriously challenging

both INFJs and neurodivergent individuals

share in common is their confusion when it

With an underlying feeling of being a foreigner

on their own planet, in their own friend groups,

and even within their own families, there’s

something about their differences that make

them feel lost and excluded in multiple areas

other’s passions, desires and life goals,

or it’s in the way they’re unable to easily

make the same connection others seem to create

their internal self-image and their unique

understanding of the world that makes their

Of course, it’s not to say that anyone who

has ever felt this way in the world must be

either an INFJ or neurodivergent, it’s certainly

a commonality between these two that is difficult

Number 7: Neurodivergence can cloud existing

The most difficult component to this interesting

debate is that neurodivergence affects one’s

This means that despite the possibility of

being a more extroverted personality type,

or any other personality type in the MBTI,

neurodivergence can overrule some of the underlying

Despite all the similarities with the INFJ

personality type, one may hold certain qualities,

habits and interests that have nothing to

Aside from their typical neurodivergent traits

that may have led them to being typed as an

INFJ, one may actually prefer to be surrounded

by people, despite their difficulty with socializing.

They may strive to become a part of communities,

while the INFJ prefers to be on their own.

Or they may utilize opposing traits to the

INFJ that aren’t related to their neurodivergence

Number 8: Correlation and causation are very

mind when it comes to the debate of the INFJ

Through the numerous posts, articles, comments

and questions amongst the MBTI community,

it becomes very obvious that while some people

with the INFJ type may in fact be neurodivergent,

It’s fair to say that many people with an

INFJ personality type are somewhere on the

notion of neurodivergence at all, deeming

their cognitive functions as clear reasoning

With each conclusion being a personal understanding,

neither position should be looked down upon

Rather, the comparative levels of quirky uniqueness

So, do you think neurodiversity and the INFJ

personality type are one in the same subject?

Also, make sure to leave us a like, share

with your friends and subscribe to our channel