Mass media loves to talk about the hard-charging Type A personality[1], whose relentless drive for excellence makes the world go around. But is there such a person and do they really act like that? Sort of. There is a cluster of behaviors that make up much of what we see on TV and in the movies as a “Type A,”but it’s not always a winning situation for the individual.
Characteristics of the Type A Personality
- Competitiveness – Type A’s want to win, even when it’s not a contest.
- High levels of identification with work. Type A’s identify with their careers. They take problems are work personally.
- Work problems always spill over into their private lives.
- Driven to succeed at all costs.
- A tendency to view situations as zero-sum outcomes only (i.e., there must be a clear winner and a loser in all endeavors).
- Aggressiveness without malice.
- Impatience with other people.
- Efficiency, promptness and high levels of organization. Type A’s often try, to little effect and lots of frustration, to organize those around them.
- Type A’s get discouraged easily. Their passion engages them in tasks, but initial failures kill their enthusiasm.
- Type A’s are rooted and bound in reality, but they are often influenced by their vision of reality, sometimes to their detriment.
- Type A’s live with such high levels of stress they burn out often. Burnout is so common with Type A personalities they change careers more rapidly than others.
- Type A’s are perfectionists. They can’t help that impulse. Imperfections in anything they do feel appalling and frustrating to them.
- Type A’s are stressed much of the time. They worry and lose a lot of sleep, too. It doesn’t take much to stress out a Type A person.
People with Type A personalities tend to believe they have, or should have, more control over their lives than people possible can have, as their need for control and order extends into the world at large. As you might imagine, this idea creates stress and interpersonal conflict, especially at work and home[2].
There’s no “cure” for Type A personality and there doesn’t need to be. It’s a way of life that’s developed, not chosen. However, when people encounter trouble getting their needs met because of aspects of their personality, therapy teaches new and better ways to get those needs met.
Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and surrounding areas. She focuses on providing personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
[1] https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1926-05605-001
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879102000404
