How to be Successful and Balanced as a Type A Personality

There are two types of personalities introduced in the 1950s by two cardiologists, Dr. Meyer Friedman and Dr. Ray Rosenman. These are Type A and Type B personalities. Today, we’ll focus on Type A.

According to the two cardiologists, Type A personality is characterized by competitiveness, aggressiveness, being ambitious, impatient, and often highly stressed. A person  with a Type A personality may display perfectionism and may often be anxious and always in a hurry.

The research of Dr. Friedman and Dr. Rosenman, known as Western Collaborative Group Study, and the Framingham Heart Study by the United States Public Health Service (1948) focused on identifying behavioral patterns and their potential impact on health, particularly coronary heart disease. Both studies suggested that people with Type A personalities may be at a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those with Type B personalities.

Why is Type A Personality More Prone to Coronary Heart Disease?

(A quick disclaimer: this is not a medical post.)

Although there is no consistent evidence that Type A Personality, also called the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP), is more prone to CHD, some researchers support that the theory may be true because of some factors like:

• Prolonged Stress - Due to their desire to always be on time, to do something perfectly, to achieve something fast, and to be the best at everything, people with Type A personalities are exposed to prolonged stress. Stress prolongation can cause unhealthy mental, emotional, and physical changes—that includes the immune system getting weaker, which makes it easier for Type A Personality people to get sick and recover slower than normal.

• Unhealthy Habits - People with TABP sometimes develop bad habits like smoking, overeating, alcoholism, and even substance abuse to try and cope with the stress and pressure they feel everyday.

• Overworked - Working more than 40 hours a week, as many studies have shown, can lead to different kinds of illness. TABP people often overwork. This is connected to their desire to do more and be more in the moment. Work becomes a part of them that they find it hard to relax. Our bodies need time to rest and recover. If we don’t give enough rest and relaxation or recovery, our bodies will eventually fail us.

The Advantages of Type A Personality

Not everything about the Type A Behavior Pattern is negative. And not all Type A people have coronary heart diseases (CHDs)—this still depends on the habits and lifestyle of the individual.

There are advantages to having a Type A Personality, too! Let’s look at some of them:

• Self-Motivated - There is no better person to model motivation than one who has a Type A personality! If you are an employer, you’ll love working with these kinds of people because they do not have to be pushed to do their work. They are always motivated because of their competitive nature.

• Goal-Driven - To achieve a goal, you must be focused, disciplined, and determined. Type A people have these traits because they are goal-driven. They are good at keeping promises, too.

• High-Achiever - You can expect great and quality work from these people because they strive to be the best at what they do. They don’t quit easily and they are thorough with their work.

How Can Type A Personalities Effectively Manage Stress?

Stress management is at the top of the list of Type A people. Stress, if not managed, can lead to serious health issues, or worse. And I am saying this not only for Type A personalities but for every type of personality. We must be mindful of our stress levels.

So how can a Type A Personality effectively manage stress when stress seems normal to him/her?

Start a workout routine - Some can do this by themselves easily and can commit to completing what they started. But there are others who prefer company and can benefit from enrolling in a gym class. Exercise helps lower stress levels and creates an environment where people can use up their drive and energy to improve their overall health.

Go to a spa for a massage - Massage helps the muscles to relax. This is a great way for Type A personalities to practice relaxation and rest, which will not only benefit them physically but also mentally and emotionally.

Spend time with loved ones - Type A personalities tend to spend so much time by themselves buried in their work that they often distance themselves from friends and family. This often leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms because they feel like they have burned bridges and can’t cross over to be with their friends and family for moral, mental, and emotional support.

Take a vacation - It may be hard to convince Type A personalities to take a vacation, but if you turn this idea into a “project” that they must complete, they may reconsider.

Find professional support - There are health professionals who can help. If you or someone you know has a Type A Personality and you are suffering from burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental or emotional turmoils, don’t hesitate to seek professional support.