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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
People-Pleasers
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.
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Psychology
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