There are specific signs of a neurotic personality. These symptoms validate our place in the Five Factor Model of Your Personality!
I have a nervous personality, and this didn’t come as a surprise to me. I figured I did anyway, seeing how I can’t get through a day without crashing at least once.
Yes, I used to feel ashamed to admit things like this, how I got bipolar disorder, anxiety, and a mild case of OCD, but now, I don’t mind so much. But do I have neurosis?
And then there is the day when I am reminded that we are all, as human beings, strategically placed on a spectrum by whoever or whatever created us – whether it be God or just genetics. This spectrum highlights our strengths and weaknesses in a full range of emotional characteristics.
Pentagram spectrum spectrum
The frequency spectrum consists of 5 main features. Every person on Earth scores on a spectrum, or quintile model of personality (FFM). What makes us unique is where we fall on the spectrum.
No, this does not indicate that some of us are crazy while others are stable minded, it simply indicates our strengths and weaknesses in terms of mental adaptations.
Each of us falls within these core dimensions: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, neuroticism, or as some call the opposite of neuroticism, sedentary mentality. Today we want to focus on neuroticism. Are you neurotic too?
How do I know I’m neurotic?
The thing is, spectrum is not the focus of this piece. In fact, I would describe what it is like to be neurotic, and how each experience is amplified by neurosis.
So, I’ll use pointers instead. These signs and symptoms are clear, concise, and accurate. There will be no question if you are a little on the nervous side of the spectrum.
- You are sensitive
Those who suffer from neurosis tend to be sensitive to certain things. They may take criticism and have a hard time saying no.
I know these things aren’t easy for most people anyway, but sensitive people will have a harder time accepting anything out of the ordinary. For me, I hate being told no, and I still do. I tend to treat a negative response as a personal attack.
- Worry
Neurotic individuals tend to worry more than usual. This anxiety can develop to alarming levels, causing physical pain and nervousness. Personally, I get so anxious that my hands tremble and my heart races, and that’s one of the best indications I’ve had when I find out I have a neurotic personality. - Anger
You will see how nervous you are by paying attention to your quick temper. People who sign up on the other side of emotional stability tend to lose their temper at the slightest disagreement. I must admit that I can be very fickle when faced with opposition.
Psychologist, Nathan C. Popkins said,
“The basis of neuroticism is anxiety levels and volatility.”
- Stressed
Like anxiety, tension is more prevalent in neurosis. Nervous tension is a mixture of fear, anxiety and anger. Sometimes this fear and anger, makes a person respond with a negative action.
In my case, the stress I take makes me sleep a lot and get tired. The good part is that I started to see this as unhealthy, and over time, I learned to channel my stress into a positive activity.
Inherently, is neuroticism good or bad?
You can look at neuroticism as having two distinct sides. On one side, you see panic, anger, fear, and anxiety. On the other side, you see intuition, action, anxiety, and strength. I think this applies to most of the two-sided coins of the spectrum.
So before you judge neuroticism, or any other mental disorder, for that matter, take the time to understand the dynamics of this human trait. Because, after all, it is just a part of the complex whole of a person. Where understanding comes, so does compassion and we all need a little of that, right now!
