INFJs and Chronic Illness

What is the relationship between the INFJ personality type and Chronic Illness? While some may blame low Si (Introverted Sensing) for some of the INFJ's health challenges, the INFJ may actually find that they posses traits in their function stack to help them deal with the challenges of Chronic Illness. I'm just scratching the surface and would love to learn more insights about this.

[@barnicoleyoga]

Thanks so much for this video. I gave INFJ and chronic illness a quick search. I'm an INFJ with chronic neurological Lyme disease and chronic episodic migraines. This really validated a lot of what I feel so often. It's good to feel less alone.

[@earthangelparsons6367]

Thanks for doing this topic! I'm a heoka empath & deal with severe chronic health & it can be very overwhelming if not aware what's going on with yourself.....

[@kaylagarrett9777]

Ha! A logical connection based on my personal experience. I’m an INFJ and the combo of genetics and trauma have triggered Dupuytren(hands) and Ledderhose (feet) as well as the ol’ migraines. You sound SO relatable on every point. 😊

[@healingwisdom6727]

So glad I found this! We need more info and help with this

[@karinbaird2499]

Very interesting observations! I’m an occasional councilor and administer Meyers-Briggs surveys for insights into suitable jobs for chronically ill and disabled clients. I am an INFJ myself... mostly. These classifications are not as static as “we” believe them to be. And yes, INFJ is over represented in my clients 😉 I see it as INFJ have the insight to know they need guidance and counseling to peruse and pursue appropriate jobs for their health situations. Another thing to check for an INFJ is HSP and ASD. I observe a lot of crossover.

[@alivewithalia5960]

Thank you for sharing that! I'm so intrigued by your work with chronically ill and disabled clients with the use of Meyers-Briggs surveys! It makes sense that you, as an INFJ, would take this path. I do agree with you that the classifications are not as static as they are described. I'm a spectrum, gradient, and shades of grey sort of person, not a fan of black/white thinking, so the types can feel a bit restrictive to me. Still, it's quite telling that INFJs are over represented in your work- so interesting! I'm quite curious about the INFJ and ASD crossover which is a bit surprising to me, but of course the HSP and INFJ crossover makes perfect sense. So, what kind of jobs do you end up recommending to chronically ill and disabled INFJs, if I might ask? I understand that depending on the individual's abilities, skills, and limitations plus personality, that this will vary, but I was curious as to any trends you might see?

[@karinbaird2499]

Alive With Alia
What I recommend is a work environment that they can control. No strong smells, bright lights, the ability to take a 5-10 minute break every hour. We often suggest supported employment with multiple diagnosis to tweak work load and environment. We have a program here in Sweden where we can subsidize employment that caters to a special need. The worker gets the same salary and benefits as everyone else but the company is reimbursed from 20-80% of salary costs. Companies with between 5-20 employees are the best companies to employ disabled workers needing accommodation.

[@alivewithalia5960]

@@karinbaird2499 That sounds like such a helpful program and your advice sounds like it would really help people with chronic illness thrive in their work environment. I wish we had programs like this in the U.S., but don't get me started there! I'd love to see models like this in more countries!

[@healingwisdom6727]

@@karinbaird2499 THIS!! This is the kind of accommodations I knowi would need to be employed again, but alas, in America, no employer would accommodate such a chronically ill disabled worker. I've been unemployed for the past 5 years these reasons. I'd rather be my own boss, but having chronic illness, multiple health issues, and a slew of other issues stemming from those primary ones, it's difficult to feel "normal" and healthy enough to do consistent work and be happy. I've struggled for years trying to find an answer for myself. This video is the closest thing I've found for my (very) particular situation as an INFJ