Have you become more introverted and anti-social as your health declines?

[nocode]

I just came across this which I think fits like a glove to most of us:

Definition: Contrary to what most people think, an introvert is not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little to do with being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension, nervousness and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

When introverts want to be alone, it is not, by itself, a sign of depression. It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.

Being introspective, though, does not mean that an introvert never has conversations. However, those conversations are generally about ideas and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social small talk.

Introverts make up about 60% of the gifted population but only about 25-40% of the general population.

 

[ZCarr]

I would agree with most of this. I've had CF all my life and always dealt with the difficult aspects of it by being alone doing various hobbies. With so much time to myself, the mind begins to wander and contemplate on various things, from the philosophical, to the mundane, to the logical. I've always been fascinated with puzzle solving and engineering solutions to problems. It started with building things and LEGO creations as a child and developed into general handiwork and computing as I grew into a teen. I also discovered music in middle school, where before I did a lot of art and hidden poetry.

I've also pretty physically small and generally weak over all through-out my life. It was less important as a child but as I went through puberty I was a late bloomer (most CFers are, both physically and often mentally to a degree). All of these factors contributed/exacerbated by introverted-ness. I recently dropped out of College this past semester due to health and am currently stuck at home working until my health improves for a hopeful transplant. As many have said, because of our condition we are more prone to being loners and finding ways to deal with our many problems separated from others of our own age. That doesn't mean we're anti-social overall, but generally due to isolation and not having as much in common we're just more likely to be introverted. I also noticed I became gradually more closed as I aged and my lung function steadily declined. You just cant physically keep up and all the added medication makes you choose either your health or your school/socialisation if you don't plan very carefully. It doesn't help that I'm a night owl and think most deeply after 11 pm.

I was in marching band, band classes, and even did a season of drum corps. I had a few close friends when my health was relatively "normal" and still am close but social situations become much harder as your body begins to grow weaker or doctors tell you stay away from social situations because you might catch a bug and get sick. I was also recently put on oxygen with a 17% lung function.

If it weren't for my hobbies and ability to have a few close friends to talk to I'm sure I'd be in a bad mental state. Luckily we can stay in touch through Facebook, online games, calling, and visiting when they are healthy. I wish I could go out and party and do the things they do, but I can't. It has it's ups and downs. It's giving me a very insightful view and plenty of time to develop my creativity. I try to see this as a break to develop myself and mature. Hopefully after a transplant or return to health I'll be able to continue my life being a much better and healthier person overall.

 

[AnnieT]

I tend to be sociable, I like meeting new people but with coughing and hacking on people constantly it can be a deterrent on my socializing. I know I spelled that word wrong

 

[nmw0615]

Nocode's post has made me think. I know I have always been an introvert, I find more peace being in my own mind than I do when I'm with others. Being around people that aren't my close friends just drains me.

I was thinking about this because I'm also a writer and I find it interesting that even though I don't really like socializing, I like to watch people. In order to create my characters I need to watch how others behave and act. I can spend hours people watching (not in a weird way) and hours with the people in my head.