Systematic Stress Management Program
Step 3: Type A & B Behavior Section
Self-Inventory of Type A Behaviors
Individuals with a Type A personality share many general characteristics such as: impatience, perfectionism, need to achieve, hostility, a quick temper, and the inability to relax. Listed below are more specific indicators of Type A behavior. Check off those that apply.
• Facial signs like a visibly tight jaw or mouth muscles that twitch
• Jarring laugh that is hostile, angry, or mocking
• Clenched fists in normal conversation
• Unpleasant speech that is grating or irritating
• Frequent use of obscenities
• Teeth grinding
• Eyes kept wide open with tic-like gestures
• Obsessive competitiveness in almost all activities, even minor contests
• A need to dominate in social and business situations
• Irritable and impatient with others, especially when they disagree with you
• Fixed opinions or stubborn attitudes
• Seemingly unable to enjoy the success of others
• Easily become irritable at the minor mistakes of others
• Concentration on what is wrong or could go wrong
• Unable to laugh at self or others; frowning instead
• Extremely and overtly proud of self ideals, frequently repeating them to others
• Thinking that others cannot be trusted or have selfish motives
• Feeling hateful of others
• Frequently placing blame elsewhere, especially with large groups, like the government, the younger generation, the economy
• Tense body posture
• Rapid eye blinking
• Rapid speech
• Hurrying along and/or interrupting the speech of others
• Sucking in one’s breath while continuing to speak
• Rapid movements like finger tapping, jiggling of foot, walking, or eating quickly
• Lip-clicking while speaking. (The sound made when the lips are compressed, the tip of the tongue is brought to the back of the front teeth, and then the mouth is opened quickly.)
• Sighing or muffled grunt upon breathing out; usually preceded by a slight lifting of the shoulders
• Head nodding while speaking
• Excessive perspiration on forehead and upper lip
• Impatience
• Others notice speed of activities and recommend slowing down
• Difficulty in sitting and doing nothing
• Uncomfortable sitting around table after a meal is finished
• Attempts to think of or do more than one thing at a time
Source: “Treating Type A Behavior – And Your Heart,” Friedman and Ulmer, Knopf Publishing Company
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Steps to Systematic Stress Management™
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