5 Signs of Depression in Introverts

Image by @noahsilliman on Unsplash

The fun thing about being an introvert is that sometimes people think you’re depressed when you’re fine. 

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re being really quiet.” 

Oh, you mean the way that I usually am because that’s just how I exist in this world? 

“I’m just worried because you spend a lot of time by yourself.” 

I do. I really do. And it’s awesome. 

Listen, I get it. If you’re an extrovert, you might not get quiet or spend a lot of time alone unless something’s wrong, so it makes sense that you might be alarmed if you see someone else doing that. 

And what makes things worse is that when we talk about signs of depression, we’re usually talking about signs of depression in extroverts. In my experience, it looks a little different in introverted people. And if we don’t know how to spot it, the signs of depression can fly under the radar. Ironically, as an introvert with depression, I’ve found that the times when I’m actively depressed are the times when people are least likely to ask if I’m okay. 

So, let’s take a look at some signs of depression in introverts. Knowing these signs can help you if you’re an introvert who’s been taught that depression can only look a specific way, or if you’re an extrovert with several introverted friends. 

Keep in mind that I’m not a doctor. This is all based on my own experiences. 

1. Loss of Interest 

Loss of interest is a huge warning sign of depression in anybody, not just introverts. During a depressive episode, a person may stop enjoying the topics and hobbies that they used to love. 

The key here is a lack of interest in things that this person actually enjoys, not the things that you think people should enjoy. Not liking parties, as a general rule, is not a sign of depression. It’s only a potential sign of depression if the person usually would enjoy them. 

Instead, look for a lack of interest in the person’s usual hobbies. Does this person enjoy going to movie theaters or museums? What about reading, drawing, or a specific type of TV show? If they suddenly can’t derive pleasure from these things, they may be experiencing depression. 

There is one potential exception, and that is if your friend is autistic or has ADHD. Losing interest in something may just be a sign that their special interest or hyperfixation has run its course. In that case, see if the interest has been replaced by something else. If it has, they may be fine. If it hasn’t, and they’re just left with an “emptiness,” they may be depressed. 

2. Inability to Recharge 

Exhaustion is another common sign of depression. It’s also one of those tricky things that could be from normal human experiences. For introverts, it happens when we’ve had our fill of social interaction. That’s why we talk about our “social battery” being low. 

So, when does exhaustion become a potential sign of depression? In general, it’s when the exhaustion becomes chronic. When no amount of rest seems to do the job. For introverts, it’s when the social battery never recharges. They might feel the same level of exhaustion whether they’re by themselves or in a large group. 

3. Loss of Performance at School or Work 

Just like anyone else, introverts may lose some performance at school or work when depressed. They may make what some people call “careless mistakes.” Details that used to matter may stop mattering to them. 

Depression can cause brain fog, which makes mentally demanding tasks harder than usual. It also reduces your ability to care about, well, anything. Suddenly, the consequences of poor performance don’t matter anymore. 

4. Difficulty with Health and Hygiene 

Anybody with depression can struggle with health and hygiene tasks. This can happen for the same reason as the loss of performance at school or work. When you’re depressed, even the most simple tasks, like brushing your teeth, can take a huge amount of effort. 

5. Increased Talkativeness 

Once, at a school assembly, a guy told us about a time when he wasn’t quite himself. “I became really introverted,” he said, “and that’s just not me.” 

I suddenly got this mental image of myself getting onstage and saying “I became really extroverted, and that’s just not me.” I don’t think it would’ve gone the same way. When an extrovert suddenly appears introverted, we decide that it’s always a bad thing. When an introvert starts behaving more like an extrovert, we praise them for “coming out of their shell.” 

That’s interesting, isn’t it? In both cases, the person isn’t acting like themselves. So why is one good and the other bad? 

The truth is that any unexplained behavioral change can be alarming, depending on the circumstances. Including when a soft spoken person suddenly becomes talkative. 

Now, there are a few important things to point out here. One, not all introverts are soft spoken, though many are. Two, not every soft spoken person becomes talkative when depressed. But in my experience, it absolutely can happen. Back in 2020, I said a lot of things out loud that I normally wouldn’t say. Why does this happen? For a few reasons, including these: 

• Depression causes irritability. Irritability makes people speak without thinking. 

• Depression reduces the ability to care, which can make people lose their “filter.” 

• Brain fog makes it difficult to think before speaking. 

• Depression causes general behavioral changes. 

Talkativeness isn’t always a sign of depression, of course. It could be a sign that a person has become more comfortable, just like quietness could be a sign that a person has become more thoughtful and introspective. Still, if a person’s behavior changes drastically, it’s always a good idea to pay attention. 

Final Thoughts 

Many signs of depression in introverts aren’t obvious at first, either because they’re subtle or because they’re misinterpreted. It may take a little extra understanding to spot these signs. Once you do learn how to spot them, though, it can make a world of difference.