ISTJ/ISFJ: Inferior Ne Grip

Potential ISTJs or ISFJs may find themselves asking the question: “What is an inferior Ne grip state?” If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place. Inferior functions are one of the things people go to when trying to narrow down their personality type absolutely. After all, if you can’t figure out your greatest strength, then why not take the opposite approach, and identify your greatest weakness? Previously, I wrote an article focusing specifically on inferior Se grip, for those researching the INFJ and INTJ personality types. Now, two years later, I thought it was high time to add to the series, with an article about inferior Ne grip.

What is a “Grip” State?

Being “in the grip” refers to a state in which an individual reverted to their inferior function out of desperation, because their dominant function has become overwhelmed. This usually happens in response to extreme stress. Initially, the dominant functions will try to solve the problem, again and again and again. As the failures start stacking up, stress will continually increase. Eventually, when there are no other possible solutions to try, the person will give up on the dominant, and look to the inferior.

However, the inferior function is often severely under-developed, especially relative to the dominant. Unfortunately, this means that the personality type in question is incapable of using that function in a controlled, and purposeful way. Instead, they start acting drastically out of character, typically in a detrimental way. Given the extreme nature of a grip state, the longer it goes, the more catastrophic it will be. If someone’s been in a grip for any length of time, anyone who knows that individual should be able to tell that something is wrong.

It’s important to note that periodically dipping into negative use of your inferior function is not the same thing as being in a grip. Many people feel the consistent, negative pull of their inferior function, even when healthy, since that function is a source of stress and weakness.

What is Extraverted Intuition (Ne)?

Simply put, Ne gives someone a focus on external possibilities. Those with strong use of Ne have a love for the new and the novel, because with it comes new possibilities to explore. They usually become fascinated with some new thing for a time, only to drop it suddenly once something newer or more interesting comes along. While these types interact in the present and respond to the present, because their focus is on exploration, they’re ultimately focused on theoretical possibilities, which means that their minds effectively live in theoretical futures.

Read More: Exploring Extraverted Intuition and 7 Extraverted Intuition (Ne) Stereotypes

Who has Inferior Ne?

Only two personality types have inferior Ne, which means only two personality types can be subject to inferior Ne grip. These personality types are the ISTJ (Si-Te-Fi-Ne) and the ISFJ (Si-Fe-Ti-Ne). Of course, bear in mind, that those with high Ne (the NP types) may display some inferior Ne grip tendencies semi-regularly. The key difference in a Ne grip state is that it comes on suddenly, and provokes the user to act in a way that is completely out of character.

How Does Inferior Ne Grip Manifest?

Healthy Ne brings about an optimism for the future, because it focuses on what could be. (Of course, it’s important to understand that NPs can be pessimistic.) However, Ne should break someone out of the current moment, allowing them to focus on a future possibility. This could allow them to detach from the negatives of the now, and motivate themselves by focusing on a positive outcome (or a happy ending) down the road. With that in mind, there are two potential variations of inferior Ne grip.

1. Denial of Reality

Essentially, in this variant of inferior Ne grip, the ISFJ or ISTJ use positive possibilities to deny the current reality. For the record, unhealthy Si (while suppressing Ne) can deny reality as well, but it’ll do it in a way that involves denying that change is happening. They’ll bury themselves in how they want reality to stay. Grip Ne will be different. In inferior Ne grip, ISTJs and ISTJs will distract themselves from something that has happened by going into a frivolous exploration mode. They’ll tell themselves that something positive will happen to turn the situation around, and that in the meantime, they should just allow themselves to experiment.

A good example of this type of grip can be seen in an older show called Frasier. In episode 1 of season 6, Frasier gets fired from his longtime job. He interviews for other positions, and then settles in to wait, convincing himself that at any moment the phone will ring with a job offer. In the meantime, he starts several projects. He starts writing an operetta, starts writing a book, starts designing his own furniture, starts redecorating the house, starts trying to master cooking certain difficult recipes, etc. He literally has all of these projects running simultaneously, in an attempt to avoid panicking over his situation and spiraling into a depression.

2. Must Escape Instability Now

This variant of inferior Ne grip is more of what you’d anticipate from an extraverted perceiving grip. In other words, it manifests as openly erratic behavior. Usually, in this scenario, something external has thrust the ISFJ or ISTJ into a state of instability. This instability can be literal or, perhaps, more future-based or perceived. In other words, something doesn’t have to be wrong NOW, but the ISXJ is convinced that their situation is no longer stable because the situation is rife with negative possibilities. Something bad could happen any moment now, or any day now. When this becomes too overwhelming, it eventually prompts the grip state.

The ISTJ or ISFJ that falls prey to this grip will initially start to make erratic decisions, while attempts to fix their situation. Rather than wait and see, they may start to do anything they can possibly think of to fix it. Unfortunately, their efforts may have the opposite effect, causing the situation to actually get worse, which will further encourage the ISXJ’s downward spiral. If things get too bad, it may trigger a desperate desire to escape, no matter the cost. Inferior Ne will start looking for new possibilities, anything to take them out of the currently unpredictable situation and into a new situation that is more predictable or more controllable. The new situation might objectively be worse than their current one, but if it has fewer unknowns, it may seem more favorable than not knowing if their current situation will calm down and resolve favorably.

In Conclusion…

Of course, what exactly someone does in a grip state can vary from person to person, but the premise should remain the same. With that said, I hope my explanation makes sense. If you have any personal experience with inferior Ne grip (whether in yourself or in someone else close to you), feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear more real life examples!