What is Neuroticism?
Neuroticism is one of The Big Five Personality Traits. It is characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability and is typically defined as a tendency toward Anxiety, Depression, Self-doubt, and other negative feelings.
Neuroticism and Emotions
People with high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, Anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Conversely, those low in this trait are more stable and emotionally resilient.
High Neuroticism can lead an individual to focus on and dwell on the negative aspects of a situation rather than the positives. As a result, they may become frustrated, furious, or angry as they struggle to cope with life stressors.
In contrast, people with low levels of Neuroticism find it easier to remain calm. As a result, they are less affected by stressful events. In addition, they can maintain a more proportionate perspective on events, which results in them often worrying less and experiencing lower stress levels.
People who are higher in Neuroticism tend to experience negative emotions more frequently than people who are low in Neuroticism. Their negative emotions tend to be more intense and last longer.
Neuroticism and Stress
Although the defining feature of Neuroticism involves negative emotionality, people who are high in Neuroticism also display a general sense of insecurity and vulnerability.
People high in Neuroticism are more afraid of things that don’t bother other people very much and tend to worry more about bad things that might happen in the future.
People high in Neuroticism also tend to overreact to everyday hassles and frustrations. As a result, they get bent out of shape more quickly than people low in Neuroticism.
At the other end of the continuum, people who are very low in Neuroticism walk through life with a certain amount of Stability and are more satisfied with life.
Neuroticism and Health Issues
People high in Neuroticism also experience a more significant number of health problems. For example, they have a higher mortality rate and are particularly likely to get heart disease.
Not only does a high level of Stress create some medical issues directly, but negative emotions can compromise the immune system, making it harder for the body to deal with whatever problem the person has.
The connection is so strong that some psychologists have called Neuroticism a significant public health problem.
Neuroticism Traits
These traits are commonly associated with Neuroticism:
- Awkwardness
- Pessimism
- Moodiness
- Jealousy
- Testiness
- Fear
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Timidness
- Wariness
- Self-criticism
- Lack of confidence
- Insecurity
- Instability
- Oversensitivity
Facets of Neuroticism
1. Anxiety
- Your level of Anxiety.
- How frequent and how easily you feel anxious.
2. Angry Hostility
- Your tendency to feel anger, frustration, or bitterness.
3. Depression
- Your tendency to feel guilt, loneliness, depression, and despair.
4. Self-Consciousness
- How easily you experience Social Anxiety.
- And the measure of Shyness.
5. Impulsiveness
- Your tendency to give in to cravings.
- And your inability to delay gratification.
6. Vulnerability
- How you handle Stress.
Neuroticism is partly Genetic.
But why do some people experience more negative emotions than others do?
Some people are born with brains that respond more strongly to adverse events, so they react more efficiently to threats of various kinds.
However, children can also learn to be neurotic to some extent. Neuroticism has 48% genetic influence.
People high in Neuroticism have been found to carry long forms of the Serotonin Transport Gene. This gene helps us produce serotonin, which calms us down.
However, high neurotics build serotonin more slowly, so they struggle to regulate their emotions after an adverse event.
They also feel their emotions more intensely and for a more extended time. In other words, neurotics worry more because it physiologically takes them longer to recover from something terrible happening to them.
High Neuroticism
People high in Neuroticism are more afraid of things that don’t bother other people very much and tend to worry more about bad things that might happen in the future.
People high in Neuroticism also tend to overreact to everyday hassles and frustrations. As a result, they get bent out of shape more quickly than people low in Neuroticism.
They’re also less satisfied with their lives, which isn’t surprising. If you tend to experience negative emotions frequently, everything seems less satisfying.
At the other end of the continuum, people who are very low in Neuroticism walk through life with a certain amount of Stability and are more satisfied with life.
Not surprisingly, people who score higher in Neuroticism need more emotional support from others, so they often tend to be somewhat needy and dependent.
High Neuroticism is not only distressing for people, but it’s also associated with several adverse outcomes.
For example, Neuroticism predicts more conflict and lower satisfaction in people’s marriages and other close relationships.
The more people experience negative emotions, the more volatile their relationships tend to be. The romantic partners of people high in Neuroticism are less satisfied with their relationships.
It’s harder to live with a partner high in negative emotionality.
People high in Neuroticism also experience a more significant number of health problems. For example, they have a higher mortality rate and are particularly likely to get heart disease.
Not only does a high level of Stress create some medical issues directly, but negative emotions can compromise the immune system, making it harder for the body to deal with whatever problem the person has.
The connection is so strong that some psychologists have called Neuroticism a significant public health problem.
Common Traits
- They experience a lot of Stress.
- Worries about many different things.
- Gets upset easily.
- Experience dramatic shifts in mood.
- Feel anxious.
- Struggles to bounce back after stressful events.
Medium Neuroticism
At times, they can be anxious or emotional; at other times, they are relaxed and calm. Their mood may fluctuate slightly, depending on the day.
Considering many factors, they don’t tend to be overly optimistic or overly pessimistic and can view problems clearly and realistically. They describe themselves as a realist.
Their neurotic traits – such as worrying about how others perceive them – make them successful in their career.
Coupled with their ability to remain level-headed, they have an outstanding balance of traits that make them natural leaders.
They try their best at everything, even if nothing is in it for them.
People who are moderate in Neuroticism make great employees and supervisors and typically do well in helping careers, such as counseling or public service.
Low Neuroticism
People with low Neuroticism respond to difficulties by saying ‘It’s all going to work out just fine.”
Low neurotics aren’t worried about things happening in the moment or the future.
They can be a good balance for high neurotics because having someone who worries and rarely gets stressed out by problems means that when you work together, you can find a balance.
You are very emotionally stable. While others may experience emotions of extreme highs and extreme lows, you tend to stay somewhere in the middle.
Others often describe you as calm, level-headed, and optimistic.
Because they tend to “go with the flow” in life, they have difficulty understanding people who are highly emotional or anxious.
Those who score low in Neuroticism have difficulty understanding and spending time with highly neurotic people. They typically prefer spending time with relaxed people.
In stressful situations, they can remain calm and think clearly. Others typically seek guidance when this occurs, and they are often natural leaders.
Because those who score low in Neuroticism are so level-headed, they tend to do well in leadership roles. They typically make great managers and executives.
Common Traits
- Emotionally stable.
- Deals well with Stress.
- Rarely feels sad or depressed.
- They don’t worry much and are very relaxed.
How to Overcome the Negative Effects of Neuroticism
Being neurotic does not interfere with a person’s motor functions or reasoning ability. On the contrary, many neurotics are intelligent, creative, reflective, and sensitive.
A little worry and some Anxiety are necessary for our survival mechanism. Therefore, as The Bif Five Personality Traits suggests, we are all neurotic to different degrees.
The following are a few ways for people to overcome Neuroticism to achieve happiness and success:
- Before you react, consciously ask yourself how you can look at something differently.
- Believe that if other people can cope with their stressful lives, you can do it too!
- When you start feeling anxious, distance yourself from the situation and clear your head.
- Deep breathing helps calm the mind and the body.
- Take ten slow and deep breaths when you start panicking.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
- Burn off negative emotions through physical activity or exercise.
- Do more rewarding activities; it will help you feel good about yourself.
- Seek professional help; a therapist can work with you to resolve internal conflicts.
- Give yourself daily affirmations such as:
“I am in control of my life.”
“It’s ok. Everything will be ok.”
“It’s not the end of the world.”
“Things will be better tomorrow.”
