Understanding Neuroticism: Personality Traits and Telehealth Support

Neuroticism, a key personality trait characterized by heightened emotional sensitivity and psychological distress, can significantly impact mental health and relationships, but evidence-based telehealth therapy provides effective coping strategies and professional support for managing associated challenges.

Ever find yourself overthinking every decision or worrying more than others seem to? You might be experiencing neuroticism, a common personality trait that affects millions of Americans. While these feelings can be overwhelming, understanding this aspect of your personality—and learning proven coping strategies through therapy—can transform how you navigate daily life.

Research On Neuroticism: Understanding Personality Traits Through Telehealth Therapy

Several personality theories have emerged since the beginning of clinical psychology. Studies often cite and utilize the Big Five Personality Test and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). One of the primary personality profiles of the Big Five test is neuroticism.

While personality tests can provide valuable insights, remember that your results may vary depending on when you take the test. Additionally, certain aspects of our personalities can change over time. Understanding neuroticism may offer significant insight into your personality and how it affects your daily life and relationships.

What is neuroticism?

Neuroticism is a personality type outlined in the Big Five Personality Test that describes a tendency toward negative emotions and psychological distress.

Neuroticism as a personality trait

Those with neuroticism as a predominant trait may experience the following:

• Persistent worry or distress
• Concentration difficulties
• Emotional instability or intense mood fluctuations
• Tendency toward social isolation
• Reports of chronic pain
• Higher vulnerability to anxiety and mood disorders
• Negative emotional responses
• Potential for disordered eating patterns
• Greater susceptibility to depressive episodes

Since neuroticism shares characteristics with several mental health conditions, if you identify strongly with this personality type, connecting with a licensed clinical social worker through telehealth services like ReachLink may help you develop effective coping strategies.

What is personality?

Personality encompasses your temperament, emotional capacity, and behavioral patterns that develop from birth and throughout childhood. It also includes your values, moral framework, and sense of self-worth.

Personality: a mixture of genetic and environmental factors

While we may inherit certain traits from our biological parents, life experiences significantly shape our personalities. For instance, experiencing stress or trauma can cause someone to become more withdrawn or develop fear responses that resemble neurotic traits.

The big five personality theory

The Big Five Personality theory was first developed in the 1930s by Gordon Allport and Henry Odbert. These pioneering researchers compiled 18,000 personality-describing words, eventually creating a 4,500-word bank. Their work was influenced by trait theory, which proposed examining personality as a collection of components rather than as an indivisible whole.

Raymond Cattell advanced this work in 1946 by developing 181 personality traits from the original list. He conducted research to identify the most commonly used personality descriptors. Though initially overlooked, Cattell’s findings gained recognition in the 1950s when two researchers conducted another study with eight large samples to refine his results to five core personality traits.

The five most common personality traits, according to researchers

When the study moved to the National Institutes of Health, researchers Paul Costa, Robert McCrae, Lewis Goldberg, and Warren Norman concluded that the five most common personality traits in humans were:

• Surgency
• Agreeableness
• Conscientiousness
• Emotional stability
• Culture

Modern categories of personality traits

By the 1980s, the current five-factor model emerged with the following categories:

• Openness to experience
• Conscientiousness
• Extraversion and introversion
• Agreeableness
• Neuroticism

The assessment rates individuals as low or high in each category. After completing the test, you can examine your scores across all dimensions to understand your unique personality profile. For instance, scoring high in extraversion and openness but low in agreeableness might suggest you’re sociable and adventurous but sometimes challenge authority or struggle with accommodating others’ needs.

What does research on neuroticism reveal?

According to studies, neuroticism is a real and impactful personality trait with significant implications. Research indicates that individuals with this trait often experience anger, anxiety, self-consciousness, irritability, emotional instability, and depression. Many researchers believe neuroticism has important public health implications.

Research on neuroticism: Links to anxiety and other health issues

Studies have associated neuroticism with various conditions:

• Cardiovascular issues
• Immune system dysfunction
• Asthma
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Higher mortality risk
• Reduced quality of life
• Increased hostility
• Chronic worry
• Career challenges
• Relationship difficulties
• Substance use disorders
• Difficulties with peer socialization

If you’re struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for 24/7 support and resources.

Another study examining the public health impact of neuroticism found that individuals with this trait often respond to threats, frustration, and loss with intense negative emotions, displaying significant emotional distress.

Research by Alexander Weiss identified different subtypes of neuroticism. People scoring high on anxiety and tension dimensions were more likely to experience adverse health effects compared to those scoring high primarily on worry and vulnerability dimensions.

Personality traits: What does it mean if you have a “neurotic” personality type?

If your results from the Big Five Personality Test or another assessment indicate neuroticism, you might recognize some of the symptoms or impacts described above. However, it’s important to remember that neuroticism doesn’t define your entire identity. You can develop skills to manage your emotional responses and behaviors through appropriate support.

Neuroticism as an indicator of a mental health condition

A high neuroticism score may sometimes indicate an underlying mental health condition. If you haven’t previously sought support, speaking with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink’s telehealth platform could help determine whether additional support might benefit you.

Is neuroticism another word for mental illness?

Given its association with several challenging traits, neuroticism might appear to be an unhealthy personality profile. Some psychologists argue that neuroticism as a personality trait might actually be a label describing certain mental health conditions, since many of its characteristics overlap with symptoms of recognized disorders.

Neuroticism as one of the personality traits

Neuroticism is considered simply a personality trait when it doesn’t significantly impair your daily functioning. If you find that neurotic tendencies are interfering with your work, relationships, or overall wellbeing, connecting with a licensed clinical social worker can provide valuable support. You may benefit from exploring whether these traits are linked to an underlying concern that could be addressed through therapy.

Telehealth counseling options for different levels of neuroticism

Since neuroticism is closely connected to various mental health conditions, professional support from licensed clinical social workers can be beneficial. If you face barriers to care such as scheduling constraints, transportation issues, or geographic limitations, telehealth counseling through ReachLink offers a convenient solution.

For individuals experiencing social withdrawal or communication difficulties—common with neuroticism—telehealth therapy provides valuable flexibility. ReachLink’s platform allows you to connect with licensed clinical social workers through secure video sessions from the comfort of your home, receiving quality support and learning practical coping skills.

Research supports the effectiveness of telehealth therapy. A review of 17 studies found that online therapy can be as effective as—and sometimes more effective than—in-person therapy for treating depression, which often accompanies neurotic traits.

Takeaway

Neuroticism is one of the personality dimensions measured by the Big Five Personality Test. If you’re experiencing challenges related to neurotic traits or struggling to maintain healthy relationships due to these characteristics, talking to a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink’s telehealth platform can provide valuable support. While neuroticism shares qualities with certain mental health conditions, therapeutic approaches offered through secure video sessions can help you develop effective coping strategies and improve your overall wellbeing.