The Difference Between INFJ Intuition and Paranoia

I live alone and 99 percent of the time I love it. The other 1 percent? I guess sometimes I get a little paranoid imagining ‘what if’ scenarios. In reality, this is silly considering that I live in a safe part of the city that hasn’t experienced crime in years. I think what makes my occasional paranoid feelings worse is that I’m an INFJ, and sometimes these feelings can feel a lot like intuition.

An INFJs dominant function is Introverted Intuition, also known as Ni. Ni subconsciously gathers information over time and uses that information to predict future outcomes. Since the information gathering isn’t usually happening at a conscious level, it often feels as if our predictions come out of nowhere.

The truth is, INFJs, in general, aren’t actually psychic or prophetic, we’re just very in tune with what is going on around us constantly, even if we don’t realize it. Therefore, we’re able to draw accurate conclusions about the future based on what we already know.

Intuition on its own is great, but an intuitive individual who also lives in fear and paranoia can be a dangerous thing. This is why it’s extremely important to be able to tell the difference between the two.

So what are some of the differences?

Intuition is calm, paranoia is afraid.

If you experience a feeling that is accompanied by anxiety and panic, it’s not your gut talking. Paranoia is fear-based. Think of some of your biggest fears. If a feeling is associated with one of them, it could be paranoia instead of intuition. When you have an intuitive feeling, you often feel calm. It’s as if you’re watching the situation on a TV screen, aware that you have little control over the general outcome.

Let’s say that your intuition does sense something bad is about to happen. Instead of panicking, it will calmly direct you to do what you need to do to protect yourself and others. This is one reason INFJs tend to respond well in crisis situations.

Intuition comes from the gut, paranoia comes from the head.

You’re experiencing some health problems and you’ve Web MD’ed all the possible causes. As you lie in bed at night you think of the stuff you’ve read online, what your friends and family members have experienced, and what you know from watching multiple seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. You’re convinced that you are dying of a horrible disease.

In the above scenario, you are using consciously gathered information to form a conclusion. There is definitely a possibility that your conclusion could be right, but it’s not coming from your intuition. Intuition is a gut-based feeling. This is why it’s so hard to explain.

Intuition is based on information, paranoia is based on emotion.

You have what you believe to be an intuitive feeling that your partner is cheating on you. You confront them about these feelings and they immediately tell you not to worry and list off the reasons why they’ve been acting distant lately — work stress, family problems, etc. How does their response make you feel?

If you feel relieved and like you were getting worked up over nothing or if you continue to feel strong negative emotions like anger or jealousy, then you were/are probably experiencing emotion based paranoia. If you feel calm, but still not able to fully trust your partner, this could be your intuition talking. In these cases, listening to your intuition is extremely important.

Intuition is powerful, paranoia is insecure.

How does the emotion make you feel? Small, insecure, and worried? Or brave, strong, and aware? Paranoia makes us feel scared of the world we live in. It’s what causes us to develop conspiracy theories, fear others who aren’t like us, and constantly worry about what is going to happen next.

Intuition, however, is a powerful feeling. It’s an understanding that we don’t control the universe, but we do possess a heightened sense of awareness that allows us some control over our particular journey in life.

About The Author

Megan

Megan is an introvert and INFJ personality type who enjoys reading, researching, and writing about personality psychology and human behavior. As the founder of this blog, Megan wants to help other INFJs better understand their personality to improve their personal and professional lives.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Blues Fairy | 10th Mar 15

    This, I need to write up somewhere to revisit whenever I get confused. Thanks !!

  2. Ekva blogger | 7th Aug 15

    Thanks aaa llooot for the article……!!
    I am an INFJ
    I could always feel that most of the times it wasn’t my worry but predictions……!
    u made it clear…..Amazingly!! 🙂

    it’s awesome to

  3. MaryBelle01 | 28th Jan 16

    Wow, really amazing insight! Bring prone to paranoia at times, this info will be very helpful in letting me know when to take my thoughts with a grain of thought. Really beautiful description of true intuition too!

    “Intuition, however, is a powerful feeling. It’s an understanding that we don’t control the universe, but we do possess a heightened sense of awareness that allows us some control over our particular journey in life.”

    Bookmarking this page! Thank you so much!

  4. Henrietta | 30th Apr 16

    Thank you so much for this article! I’ve been trying to tell apart intuition and paranoia lately. Whenever I was paranoid I remembered I’m an intuitive type and started to freak out even more because I thought my paranoid/intuitive feelings would definitely happen. Now I can see the difference and it’s a big relief 🙂 you helped me a lot!

  5. Pampers Mampers | 7th Nov 16

    Most female INFJs are actually INFPs. Learn the difference.

  6. Pooja | 15th Dec 16

    Hi.. Is it possible to be paranoid based on the intutions because, you know that you cannot control or stop things from happening?
    Thanks

    • Misty | 25th Feb 17

      I was wondering the same thing?

    • Megan | 1st Mar 17

      I think it is normal to feel fear due to something that is out of our control. However, I don’t think that paranoia is a result of an intuitive feeling as much as the result of the fear of no control. Hopefully that makes sense!

  7. Bae | 20th Dec 16

    Totally help me in an infj but currently suffer of paranoia

  8. Karen O'Brien | 24th Mar 17

    I have been trying to explain this to my husband. We are coming up on 21 years. For the last two he has been accusing me of infidelity. This absolutely not true. I’m a student online and never alone. One of our children, ages 23, 19 and 13 is always home. This started when he lost his job. I don’t think he has ever experienced insecurities. I’ve tried to reassure him. I have become distant. I know this. It’s hard to be accused. With no evidence or proof. I would never state that, it’s come down to that.
    I have tried to explain the difference. Intuition, fear and paranoia. Without calling him crazy. How fear or insecurities can cause gut wrenching feelings. I call it doom. That feeling will cause anxiety and panic overwhelming sickness. Intuition is more knowing. Example; when you have knowledge of something that your not sure how you know it you just do. If that makes sense. I hope this article helps him. Do you have advice. I don’t want him to not trust me or feel this way. I know to we’ll how he feels. Mine came from past experience. Triggered fear that in turn caused anxiety, panic and insecurities. It took me some time to understand and heal.

  9. mh | 21st Nov 17

    Hi, this changed my life. Thank you and god bless you …

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