What is Type C Personality?
People are categorized into different personality types depending on the behavioral patterns, habits and nature. People having type C personality are observed to be psychologically disposed of in a manner that makes them seem thoughtful and quiet when they are angry and frustrated.
Personality types are not fixed or hereditary and their type can change from one personality type to another. There may be cases when people may not like the personality type that they belong to or they may dislike certain traits that are included in their personality type. In such situations, the individual may either altering personality type entirely by changing his behavior, attitude, etc. or he/she may change those particular traits that he/she dislikes.
Characteristics of Type C Personality
- Attention to details – People under this personality type:
- Pay attention to the particulars of any given task or situation
- Believe in fulfilling their duties to the best of their abilities
- Their work is characterized by accuracy and precision
- Hold a high opinion of themselves as well as others
- Try to keep up the standard of their work by gathering intricate information about the job at hand through detailed research
This attention to detail enhances their creative skills and problem solving capability.
- Practical approach – Adopting a practical approach they:
- Find the need to produce good quality work enabling them to have a practical approach towards all the tasks they undertake
- Capable of sound decision making by thinking through all the details involved
- Weigh out the pros and cons of a given situation and devise a procedure that yields optimum output.
- Provide perspective and the voice of reason in any given situation
- Helps them to fulfill their commitments in the best possible way
- Avoidance towards conflicts – With an attitude to avoid conflicts, they usually:
- Seem to remain calm and composed even if they are angry or frustrated in
- Faced with situations that are opposed to their ideas and beliefs, they prefer avoiding it rather than arguing or articulating their opinion.
- To feel comfortable in any relationship or situation, they need clear cut boundaries
However, sometimes their excessive attention towards details does not allow them to view a situation comprehensively in its totality.
- Stress and depression – People with type C personality are more prone to experiencing stress and depression. This can be due to:
- Their trait of being passive recipients to others, rather than asserting their ideas and beliefs that may be in conflict with others
- They are observed to be people who try to please others at the cost of their own happiness in order to avoid conflict and chaos
- Constant striving to build a harmonious environment does not allow them to pay attention to their own wants and needs causing depression and stress
- Work habits – Their need to produce good work and their attention to detail makes type C personality a hardworking category of people. But:
- Their inability to assert themselves and avoidance towards conflicts makes it difficult for them to work with others
- While trying to avoid conflicts, the quality of work may get compromised
- They may think that working on their own will allow them to do their work with perfectionism
Risk factors Associated with Type C Personality
Following are certain conditions that are commonly known to trigger personality disorders if:-
- Have been diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder
- Experience chaotic, unstable or abusive family life during childhood
- Have different brain structure and/or chemistry
- Mental illnesses and personality disorders may have been a part of the family history
Type C Personality Complications
Personality disorders are capable of disturbing interpersonal relations between the affected individual and others. It affects both the personal as well as the professional aspects of the individual’s life. Their problems in maintaining relationship at work, school or home may result in social isolation. In extreme cases it may also lead to drug abuse.
Diagnosing Type C Personality Disorder
- Physical examination
- Doctor may question in-depth about the symptoms experienced
- Enquiries are made to rule out any underlying health conditions
- Blood tests
- Screening tests for drugs
- Screening test for alcohol
- Psychiatric evaluation, talking about the individual’s thoughts and behavior
- Gathering information from family members
- May be asked to answer a questionnaire to help with the diagnosis
Type C Personality Disorder Treatments
- Medication: Although there are no specific medicines that are used to treat this personality disorder, certain psychiatric medications can be used to reduce the symptoms.
- Anger, impulsiveness, irritability, hopelessness, depressed mood, etc. can be treated by taking antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers to prevent excessive mood swings, irritability and aggression
- Anxiety, anger problems and psychosis can be treated by using anti psychotic medication also known as neuroleptics
- Anti anxiety medication can be used to treat impulsive behavior, insomnia, agitation as well to avoid certain types of personality disorders.
- Psychotherapy: Speaking to a psychotherapist helps to manage the disorder and cope with the stress. A person can talk freely to the therapist about his/her feelings, moods, behaviors and thoughts. Several types of psychotherapy could be employed to treat an individual:
- Individual sessions, group therapy, sessions including friends and family are the types of psychotherapy that are used for treatment
- Family therapy is used to educate family members about ways to deal with a member who is suffering from personality disorder
Psychotherapy also provides training for social skills that teaches people to manage the symptoms of the disorder and improve their behavior and relation with others.
- Treatment programs – Hospitalization is advisable for those experiencing severe effects of the disorder and is at the immediate threat of harming themselves or others around them. They need to be under medical supervision at all times. Regular consultation with a doctor can be managed without the need to hospitalizing the person.
The treatment may require help from the following professionals:
- Primary doctor
- Psychiatrist
- Psychiatric nurse
- Psychologist or Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Social worker
When to visit a doctor?
After examination by a primary doctor, the individual may be advised to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist as personality disorders require specialized care. Taking a friend or family member along for such visit may prove helpful as they may be able to report experiences that the individual might have forgotten.
The person could help in the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder by making a list of all the symptoms that they may have observed. It’s done by taking into account personal experiences, changes and stress that they have undergone. Informing the therapist or care provider about all the medications that are consumed helps to treat the condition effectively.
Common questions that the affected individuals may ask the doctor:
- What treatment will be used to deal with the disorder?
- How long will the treatment last?
- What are the medications that will help?
- What are the possible side effects of the drug?
- How long does the medication need to be taken?
- Will talk therapy help in the treatment?
- What can the individuals do the help themselves?
- Printed brochures that can be availed to gather information about the condition?
- Which websites can be visited to learn more about the disorder and its treatment?
Common questions asked by the doctor:
- What symptoms are observed?
- Since when have the symptoms begun to occur?
- How is the individual’s daily life being hampered due to the symptoms?
- What other treatment has been used to treat the condition?
- What things make the person feel worse?
- Any history of mental illness within the family or relatives?
- Has the individual tried to control the symptoms on his/her own?
- What kind of reaction have friends and family members had in response to the person’s behavior?
- What result does the patient hope to achieve from the treatment?
- What medications or other supplements have the person been taking?