5 signs you're probably an INTP
1. Clever? Stupid? It's an unending rollercoaster
INTPs typically struggle with their self esteem, because, even though they refuse to admit it, they are very concerned with their social status (though in a different way to others). INTPs can never seem to work out whether they are intelligent or not - the majority of the time they are secure in their intelligence as they see their cleverness as positively superior to most, however they often ponder whether their knowledge is deep and thorough or just surface level information about a huge range of topics, all for show. It only takes another individual to display knowledge that the INTP does not possess, and their entire identity structured around their intelligence begins to crumble.
2. You seem very quiet, but actually you are not
INTPs are renowned for being probably the most introverted type there is, however a lot of INTPs in the MBTI community question whether they are actually introverts at all. Due to their nature, INTPs are one of the more likely types to develop their auxiliary function (Ne) at an earlier age than most, making them appear more outgoing, when they want to be. Introversion centres around the idea of gaining energy through being alone or with a small amount of people, and this is absolutely true for INTPs, however when a topic arises that they are abnormally knowledgeable or passionate about, there is no calming them down. INTPs also typically prefer to have small group of close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances, and in this small group they can behave as if an extrovert, as long as they find their surrounding friends to be trustworthy and loyal.
This is a more obvious trait, but the INTP will often find that their passions and interests are not 'mainstream', particularly among teenage INTPs. You may enjoy obscure hobbies that others find 'lame' or 'boring', but you find happiness in them. Your 'to be read pile' might be the leaning tower of pisa, your computer may have been deconstructed and reconstructed a dozen times, your sketchbooks may be overflowing with art, or your notebooks may be filled with a hundred unfinished stories, but you adore your hobbies because they're yours. Your interests are likely how you relax and recharge as they probably involve an element of solitude, which others cannot understand. However, many pastimes INTPs choose to take up require a lot of brainpower and can lead to insomnia and 'burnouts'. For the INTP with a sleepless brain, it's a good idea to find a mindless and therapeutic hobby such as knitting or colouring, and making sure you factor in the time to learn and pursue them. INTPs can never do truly nothing while awake, so taking up a calming hobby is the best way to obtain true rest and fully regain strength.
4. A world of patterns and problems
INTPs notice patterns in the world - they are often aware of reoccurences and small details in the world around them that others are not. You pick up hints in the way people speak, you can learn just by observation, and your remarkable ability to notice patterns and themes directly links to their innate problem solving ability. However, though the observant INTP can wow anyone with their intelligence deductions, they are often regarded as oblivious individuals with no regard to common sense. This may seem like it's due to laziness, when in actuality it is due to an endless whirlwind of thoughts, opinions and ideas that never stop. INTPs are more prone to conditions such as synesthesia and perfect pitch, which can make observing the world around them more beautiful yet more uncomfortable at the same time due to an overstimulation of the senses.
5. Deadlines and restrictions are the bane of your existence
It's the reason you hate(d) school, the reason you quickly get bored of things and the reason you feel your talents aren't justified. Deadlines, time limitations, project parameters or creativity restrictions cause you a lot of anger. They are put in place for one simple reason: the situation cannot handle such extreme creativity or profound ideas as the ones you possess and are desperate to put into practise. You may be just beginning a project, a storm of ingenious ideas rattling your mind, everything instantly yet meticulously thought out. But you are told the project must be finished by this time, it must include all these unnecessary things and you must follow all these time-wasting planning stages. Your determination dimishes, your ideas forced to conform to the minutely specified plan before you. 'It's fine,' you think, 'I can do my own thing in my own time'. But you don't have the time. Life is full of too many scheduled and restrictive events that your creative and scattered brain is not programmed for. This is truly one of the most devastating things an INTPs regularly faces
