The “D” in type D personality stands for distressed. According to a
To put it another way, people with a type D personality experience a high degree of emotional distress while suppressing their feelings at the same time.
According to Harvard University, people with a type D personality are worried pessimists who are uncomfortable with other people, so they can’t get relief from emotional closeness. However, mental health treatment can can enhance quality of life for people with type D traits.
Keep reading to learn more about type D personality traits and the physical and mental health concerns associated with these traits.
People with high levels of the following two personality traits are classified as having a type D personality:
- They experience the world in a negative way and have a tendency to be consumed with negative emotions.
- They get high scores on social inhibition (avoidance of social interaction) and have a tendency to not express these emotions.
According to a
This risk is associated with work- and health-related problems in otherwise healthy individuals. For example, people with a type D personality experience:
- more symptoms of distress, anxiety, and depression
- more somatic complaints (such as pain and fatigue) and an appreciably lower health status
Type D personality and the heart
Often, medical professionals can predict potential health problems based on behavior. For example, when assessing someone who uses tobacco products heavily, a medical professional can predict a higher-than-normal risk for lung cancer and COPD.
According to a
Why type D personalities have lower health status
According to that
- eating a balanced diet
- getting regular medical checkups
- avoiding tobacco products
- spending time outdoors
According to a
- identify their workplace as more stressful
- display a lower sense of personal accomplishment
- experience high levels of burnout
People with a type D personality may also be more likely to:
- have more
missed days from work - report symptoms of PTSD
- report symptoms of
vital exhaustion
Psychiatric treatment can enhance quality of life for people with a type D personality by:
- promoting better self-care
- reducing stress
- relieving depression and anxiety
- improving self-esteem
If you have a type D personality, it may feel difficult to establish rapport with a therapist at first. Remember, it’s OK to try a different therapist and therapeutic approach until you find what works for you.
People with type D (distressed) personality traits experience high degrees of emotional distress. At the same time, they suppress their feelings. This can result in psychological (anxiety and depression) and physical (pain and fatigue) discomfort.
Psychiatric treatment can help people with a type D personality manage these traits and find new, healthy coping mechanisms.