I feel exhausted after I hangout with friends?

You described a classic introvert, except for the “can’t get out of bed today after hanging out with a friend yesterday.” After social interactions, introverts need time alone to refuel and recharge. But, the bedridden part is disconcerting, and I don’t know how to respond.

Depends on what kind of activities you did with friends which you haven’t told about. It’s hard to figure out what made you so exhausted that you can’t even get out of the bed. It could be mental fatigue too but that shouldn’t be the case with someone you described as a friend, right?

@dopeguru: Were you drinking? What time did you go to bed and how did it differ from your normal bedtime?

I very often need recovery days after time spent with other people.

Sometimes I even tell my husband and son to get the hell out of the house for a while so I can have a break from them.

If I go on a camping trip with friends, I plan two days afterward to recover. It’s not a literal “can’t get out of bed” thing, but I do feel run-down, like I’m on the first day of a cold. I’ll spend the day, if I can, curled up with hot tea and embroidery, and turn off the phone.

It’s very much classic introvert stuff. My husband is a classic extrovert, and when his friends come to town he can be up and at ‘em for days on end with no rest and be fine, but on quiet days at home he’ll sleep all day if he can get away with it.

Are you all talking a lot? I’m fairly extroverted, but if it’s a nonstop marathon of talking all day, then I’m worn out. A little. Especially two days in a row. I don’t feel like I have to be alone the next day, but I do feel like I need a quieter day the next day.

I used to feel that when I spent time with people I didn’t really gel with. People that weren’t nurturing in some way. You know, funny, supportive or did activities I didn’t really enjoy.

You’re getting old dude. Don’t worry, you will do the same stupid things when you get old, but only slower.

@imrainmaker ” It could be mental fatigue too but that shouldn’t be the case with someone you described as a friend, right?”

It can especially be the case with friends. Strangers can be ignored. Friends can’t. I can spend all day traveling, among throngs of people in the city, at the station, on the train, and feel fine, still energized and mentally sharp even after arriving at my destination and being able to relax. But a few hours spent with friends and I need a day or two to recharge. Being social is exhausting for introverts.