Type D personalities have a tendency to worry.
During the 1970s the concept of personality types began taking shape within the medical psychology community. The original function of developing personality types was to determine a person's risk for developing heart disease. Initially, there was only a Type A personality. It was believed that Type A personalities were at an increased risk for heart disease. Over the decades further research has revealed more personality types including the Type D personality, which was developed in the 2000s. Type D stands for chronic distress, which means theoretically at an increased risk for heart disease.
Stressed/Worried
Type D personalities have a tendency to worry excessively. They may be prone to anxiety and anxiety disorders. Stress tends to be a problem for Type D personalities. The increased level of stress can make Type D personalities more prone to heart problems because it causes increased levels of stress related hormones. Stress hormones can cause the heart to beat faster, the blood pressure to rise, the blood vessels to clench and extra blood sugar to be released. Type D personalities also tend to have more active immune systems, thus a predisposition towards inflammatory conditions and related complications.
Irritable
Type D personalities tend to be irritable and often have an inability to process anger in a healthy way. Rather than being explosive when they are angry Type D personalities tend to suppress there emotions. This can lead to moodiness and a host of mental health issues. It can also contribute to stress levels, thus indirectly affecting stress hormones that cause heart complications.
Depressed
People with Type D personalities tend to suffer from depression in varying degrees of severity. Type D personalities also tend to be gloomy and pessimistic. They also have a tendency toward despair in trying situations. This can directly affect a person's ability to recover after a cardiac episode. This makes them more likely to have complications and it may also decrease the likelihood of recovery after a cardiac episode.
Introverted
Type D personality types tend to be socially awkward and many suffer with social anxiety. They are not typically outgoing, most have issues with low self-esteem, which causes social inhibition and shyness. Many Type D personalities become isolated, which can also cause loneliness.
