How Your Personality Type Affects Your Health

Our personalities play such an important role in determining our behaviors and habits, so it is
little wonder that personality type has a connection to your health. Philosophers, physicians, and
researchers have long tried to find connections between personality and physical health. During
the time of the ancient Greeks, Hippocrates and Galen suggested that there were four humors (or
personality types) and that each was connected to susceptibilities for certain physical or mental
illnesses. Interest in the topic persists to this day and research has found that personality
traits can be important health predictors. One study even found that the personality traits
exhibited during childhood are linked to self-rated health during middle age.

 Type A

The classic type A personality is often characterized as hard-driving, controlling, and

perfectionistic. People who exhibit characteristics of this personality type tend to be more
competitive, impatient, tense, assertive, and even aggressive.They often feel a need to dominate,
both at work and in personal interactions, and may derive their feelings of self-worth and self-
conceptfrom their perceived achievements. Some studies have shown a relationship between the
Type A personality type and hypertension, increased job stress, and social isolation.Older studies
suggested that there was a connection between the Type A personality type and heart disease,
but subsequent research has complicated these findings by failing to confirm the link. Type As
do tend to experience more hostility, a characteristic that has been tied to an increased risk of
heart disease.

 Type B : More Laid Back

People with a laid-back personality, often referred to as a Type B personality, tend to be

much more relaxed and easy-going than their Type A counterparts. In contrast to Type As, Type
Bs are typically less stressed and less competitive. These individuals are apt to be more focused
on performing tasks for the enjoyment of doing so rather than being so driven by a need to
achieve, win, or dominate. That isn't to say that Type Bs do not value accomplishment. They
work steadily toward their goals but also enjoy the process and experience less stress if they do
not win.People with the Type B personality type may also be more attracted to careers and
hobbies that are more laid back and creativity centered, such as becoming an artist, writer, actor,
or therapist. They will probably have a lower risk of developing health issues related to anxiety.
They tend to enjoy life, are pretty good at coping with stress, and likely have a good quality of
life.

 People-Pleasers

People with an "eager to please" personality type tend to be accommodating, passive,

and conforming. This personality type can have its health upsides and downsides. A negative
aspect of this personality type is that their passive nature also means they are more likely to feel
hopeless or helpless in the face of a negative health event. They may also be less likely to seek
help when something is wrong, instead feeling that they don't want to be a burden or
inconvenience to others.
  Neurotic Personalities

They may tend to respond to feelings of loss, frustration, and other stresses with negative
emotions. Experiencing intense emotional reactions to relatively minor life challenges is
common. Researchers have found that this trait can be a predictor of a variety of physical and
mental disorders, including overall life longevity. Neuroticism has been associated with
generalized anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and
substance use.Those who are high in neuroticism may also be more likely to experience physical
health problems such as cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and asthma.

 Distressed

The type D personality was first introduced in 1996 and is characterized by "distressed" traits
such as being more prone to negative emotions and a lack of self-expression. Stress, depression,
anxiety, anger, and loneliness are also associated with the Type D personality. It can also come
with serious health consequences. People with this personality type are at a three-fold increased
risk of heart problems, including heart failure.

While research indicates that personality type clearly plays a role in health and well-being,
certain ailments are more likely to be influenced by psychological characteristics. Heart disease,
for example, is more strongly linked to personality type than cancer. So why does personality
have an impact on health? Why are certain traits so tied to certain ailments? The answers are not
clear, but one potential explanation is that personality impacts behavior and lifestyle choices.
People who are more conscientious may be more likely to make healthier choices while those
who are high in neuroticism may be less likely to seek medical help or have weaker social
support systems. As with many things, your individual risk of developing a health problem can
depend upon a variety of factors beyond your personality, including genetics, environment,
lifestyle, and behaviors. Understanding your personality might be a great way to help determine
what sort of health choices or changes you need to focus on making. By being aware of the
potential hazards you may face, you can work with your health care professional to come up with
a plan to minimize the dangers.
Special Topics

in

Psychology

Submitted by:

Sarah Mae Habuyo

Submitted to:

Ms. Erla Grace Agutaya