Type D personality, often called the "distressed" personality, is characterized by a combination of two main traits: negative affectivity and social inhibition. People with this personality type tend to experience frequent negative emotions such as worry, irritability, gloom, anxiety, and sadness, but they suppress these feelings due to fear of rejection or disapproval. They also tend to avoid social interactions, leading to feelings of loneliness and low self-confidence
. Key characteristics of Type D personality include:
- Persistent negative emotions across different situations and over time.
- Social inhibition, meaning reluctance to express emotions or engage socially.
- Pessimism and negative self-talk.
- Fear of rejection and low self-confidence.
- Being organized, thoughtful, compassionate, and supportive, often playing a stabilizing role in groups or teams.
- Preference for stability and security, avoiding risks and change.
- Poor coping skills, which can increase stress and burnout risk.
- Tendency to avoid social situations and suppress feelings, which may lead to emotional problems like anxiety and depression
In medical psychology, Type D personality has been studied particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease, where it was initially linked to worse outcomes after heart attacks. However, later larger studies found that while Type D personality is associated with adverse events, it may not independently increase mortality risk
. In summary, Type D personality describes individuals who are emotionally distressed, socially inhibited, and prone to negative feelings, often requiring supportive environments to thrive and manage stress effectively
