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Type A Personality and Fibro

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Posted 1/29/2011 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine mentioned something on another post that I didn't realize. Many of us with fibro are Type A personalities. I know I am among that crowd (and I'm sure the stress we put on ourselves doesn't help). Do you fit the bill?

Here's what I borrowed from another website. The Type A personality generally lives at a higher stress level. This is driven by:

They enjoy achievement of goals, with greater enjoyment in achieving of more difficult goals. They are thus constantly working hard to achieve these.

They find it difficult to stop, even when they have achieved goals.

They feel the pressure of time, constantly working flat out.

They are highly competitive and will, if necessary create competition.

They hate failure and will work hard to avoid it.

They are generally pretty fit and often well-educated (a result of their anxiety).
Posted 1/29/2011 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, I would never have considered myself a Type A. I mean, sure, in certain areas, but overall - no. I especially dislike competition. My greatest anxiety comes from the fact that we can't "all just get along." I did use to love to be in good shape, though, and worked hard at that.

Debbie
Posted 1/29/2011 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Same here, I am not an over acheiver. But I do feel that a lot of us were physically fit in the past. Worked hard physically. It seems that I read that a lot of us use to work really hard, and I wonder if we over extended ourselves. Though I found out when I couldn't do the work anymore it really bothered me for a long time. I have learned to take one day at a time. I don't make many plans as I always have to rest up for everything that I plan to do and never know how I am going to feel when that time comes. I use to be a workaholic. I think a lot of us were.

jmho,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/29/2011 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
As a kid, I was always competitive...in grade school, trying to get the lead in school plays, running for class office, joining Girl Scouts, working towards getting as many badges as possible.

I loved physical challenges as well, wanting to run the fastest, climb the highest, participate in the park rec competitions.

I can't say I was an honor student...social life was always number one.

As an adult my focus shifted to working with the less fortunate.... people who had disabilities. I provided direct supervision to a large group of mentally challenged adults in a production work shop. I was a workaholic who had too many responsibilies, from organizing the sub-contract jobs, and training these clients to do the work according to their abilities. I put a lot of pressure on myself to work hard and help these clients realize their own potential. Eventually I burned myself out...back then Type A for sure!

Now, I no longer work outside the home...don't worry about the house looking picture perfect and try to go with the flow.

Hugs, Robin :-)
Posted 1/29/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I fit the bill.  I'm VERY competitive and also a perfectionist.  That's why I really had to learn to pace myself.  I'm having company tonight and started getting ready for them two weeks ago!  I need to have things as perfect as I can get them and that does put a lot of stress on me.  So, I space things out in doable blocks of time and check them off the list as they are accomplished.  I have to do that. 

 

I can't always achieve that perfectionism but force the issue when having guests.  It's amazing.  I can complete something but always can find something else that isn't "perfect".  That can drive me up a wall!  When I'm by myself, I muddle through, keep things nice around the house and let up on needing things to be "perfect". 

 

But, in most everything I do, I try to do it to the very best of my ability.  That is really important to me, also.  My parents ingrained that in me.  I guess I learned that lesson well!  turn

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/29/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I know for a fact that I am not a type A personality, especially having a husband, a son, and a daughter that are type A's. I am so laid back its not even funny. Hubby gets so frustrated with me sometimes because I dont let things bother me half as much as him. I hate confrontations with others and have never been much for competition.
The only thing with me is I am a perfectionist. If I am going to do something it has to be done right. If I go to clean something it has to be just right. I dont like writing anymore because I am so shakey now and it drives me crazy that it doesn't look like it did before.
I guess thats just me. lol
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 1/29/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I think what we all have in common is that we all pushed ourselves over the limit. To the fullest extent. No matter how we were, we all gave over 100%. I don't know if that made us more prone to fibromyalgia, of if is in the genes. But we all did it.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/29/2011 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Karen,

That's what I was thinking right before I came to the forum today. I was surmising that maybe we're not all Type A, but we have all dealt with high amounts of stress in our lives, for whatever reason -- and that we have all pushed ourselves in one fashion or another (whether that be in our careers, as parents, volunteers, etc.)

It's intriguing to ponder over it, but yet I know so many other people who have pushed themselves to the brink and they haven't been dealt these cards -- at lest not yet -- and hopefully they never will.

Hugs and happiness!

Vickie

P.S. If someone could send some sunshine our way it would be appreciated. We've got more blowing snow in Minnesota. Ick!! Spring can't come soon enough.
Posted 1/29/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Oh you are in Minnesota, eh???

I understand that you guys have gotten a lot of snow and a lot of cold weather. I am in Michigan. It is always cold and snowy in the winter, but I think you got hit worse than we did. It is about 20 today, but no sun. Sorry I don't have any to send.

I went through a lot of stress before I got fibromyalgia. I lost my first husband to cancer and also lost my floral business. It was right around 911 and the economy went to pot. I think that caused a lot of it. Plus I caught some wierd virus right before. It was like I got sick and never got better. But yeah, before, I was rather physically fit. It really gets to me when I think about it too much, so I try not to. Atleast not to compare how I use to be to how I am now, plus I have aged. So in the last ten years, I probably wouldn't have been able to do what I do now anyway. Oh well. I take the bad with the good. And pretend it is all good.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/29/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
What you just said is interesting in the fact that we ought to remember that many of us have aged since we were first afflicted with fibro symptoms. I so often think, "I want the old me back", but probably everybody thinks that as they age. We were bound to have some aches and pains anyway (just wish it didn't have to be this many). Ha!

The snow in MN this winter has been horrible. Our town was declared a federal disaster area after we experienced some nasty flash flooding last September; I am definitely concerned as to what could happen when all this snow melts, so I'm actually hoping it warms up in bits and pieces and the snow gradually disappears.

By the way, I used to visit the UP when my sister lived in Michigan.
Posted 1/30/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I too was very active when Fibro hit. I was lifting weights 5-6 days a wk. I enjoyed weights much more than jogging and such..I;m not a type A personality either, one thing i;ve noticed about me is if i get into some type of craft, I go overboard till i;ve burned myself out. I do that with almost everything. even down to the foods I eat.
I feel bad for you guys that are in the coldest areas of this country. How do you stand it? I;d freeze to death, cold just thinking about it. Today it was in the low 70's with some sun. (Texas). We;re supposed to get more rain though, its been wet to long..I too am ready for summer but this Tx. heat can be horrible. Guess theres no perfect place..Yall stay warm n cozy, cuddle the fuzzies and spouses..Barbara
Posted 1/30/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, type A here. Perfectionist. Push myself hard.

Built a barn from scratch 10 years back. That was grueling work and I know I overextended myself physically. Planted trees (hundreds) over weekends, kept pushing to improve, etc.. your type A description fits me well. Hard not to impact my kids with it, have passed it to one (unfortunately)..

Physically always pushed hard. Too hard. I regret those days now, as I'm sure they contributed to the fibro now... oh well, no regrets in accomplishments, just in pushing too hard, too fast. More, more more, in less time, faster, etc...

One thing I regret is not finding time to relax. Felt the need to push, accomplish, finish goals, set new goals, work, work, etc...
Posted 1/30/2011 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
I think there are different degrees in Type A (Or Type B for that matter) I don't think I have ever truly been Type B... but neither have I been a workaholic who is all work and no play. I used to have high expectations on myself, so much so that I became anoriexic. And i was always very perfectionistic with my piano playing as well as a little bit OCD with keeping the house tidy (all the shoes had to be lined up just right) But I think that was more of a control issue. But I compare myself to others and I am NOT as type A as they are. ON the other hand, I am NOT laid back. I get stressed out VERY easily. So, this whole type thing has always confused me! lol. Oh, and I used to be very fit too. Used to be a gym rat. I think I am more lazy now, which could seem Type B, but really it is just because of the Fibro.
Posted 1/30/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I think that the best thing we can all do is live each day to the fullest the best that we can. When we think back on all that we use to be able to do, I think that just depresses us more. So I try not to think about it, but sometimes I can't help it.

My sister use to live in the UP. My grandparents came from there too. I have been up there many times, I am in nothern lower, but it does get cold. On the edge of the snow belt too so I get a lot of snow. Every year I hope to go cross country skiing. Have yet to go again. Use to love it. It kept me warm in the winter as I was always moving around. Not so much anymore. I do like to walk whenever.

I like this thread about the personality types and I bet after the weekend there will be a lot more posts.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/30/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Bridget, do you line up your bills in your wallet going from $1 on up?  I have to have the money not only in order but the bills have to be facing the same direction, too...and they have to be right side up.  Yes, I do cause myself a lot of work!  LOL

 

Here is a link that talks about Type A personalities and fibro.  It makes sense to me!

 

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2008/02/26/the-type-a-personality-in-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/30/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Speaking as someone who is NOT naturally organized, I'm finding that I want to be more and more that way as I get older. I don't want to have to look for my keys every time I leave, or turn the house upside -down to find some important paper. I want to be able to lay my hands on them immediately! When my parents died, I was left with such a jumble of stuff - they were definitely not organized, bless their hearts - and I have a fear of leaving my kids with a similar situation. It's hard work to change at my age, but I think it'll be worth it.

Debbie
Posted 1/30/2011 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sherinne, I actually don't have a wallet, and my purse is very messy! I think for me it is all about appearances, th ough it seems to be something that is hard to control. LIke our rug always has to be straight , chairs pushed in, etc. But then I do have a junk drawer!

maybe we need to start thinking about positive things about ourselves instead of focusing on what we think made us have Fibro...
Posted 1/30/2011 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I sure don't think having a Type A personality caused fibro!  But, we usually have many on the forum that have stated that they are Type A.  There is no scientific proof.  I was just going by what others have said and what I am!  I just found it to be interesting, not a cause.  I don't dwell on that.  I dwell on living my life to the fullest!

 

Also, I don't know of a person that doesn't have a junk drawer!  LOL  It's amazing what we accumulate.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/30/2011 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
that's good, Sherinne! by the way, it's hard to read tone, but i hope you know i wasn't being rude or anything like that.
Posted 1/31/2011 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Bridget, I know you weren't being rude!  It is difficult to always express what you mean when you can't see faces and emotions.  But, honestly, I didn't think anything of it.  I was just surprised we had so many say they didn't think they were a Type A personality!  We've had this discussion about two years ago and almost everyone said they were Type A so go figure!  :-)    Oh, and yes, I do have a junk drawer.  I've tried to live without one but it only lasts about a week!  turn

Sherrine

Posted 1/31/2011 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Sherrine, I do the same thing with my cash, when I have any, lol. For me I think it was because I worked so many years as a cashier, along with the perfectionism in me. LOL I just thought it was funny that we both do that.

However if you ask any of my friends here or my family they will all say I am type B. Love you my friend.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 1/31/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh...we can drive ourselves crazy, can't we!  LOL  I have worked very hard to keep the obsessive-compulsive behavior at bay but it is still there.  Whenever I leave the house I touch each burner on the stove, even though it is off, and I check my oven and toaster oven, too.  Unfortunately my mother instilled a great fear of fire.  Her home burned to the ground when she was about to get married and lost everything.  She told me the story when I was 9 years old and I never have forgotten it.  I have two cats and my dog and I sure wouldn't want anything to happen to them because of my lousy memory.  I won't even use the crock pot unless I'm home all day!  LOL  Kind of defeats the purpose, huh?  But, it does come in handy when I want to float around in the pool in the afternoon.  smilewinkgrin

 

I love you, too, my friend!

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/31/2011 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
No type A here. Maybe an A- at times otherwise I'm pretty mellow. Lee
Posted 1/31/2011 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I found this test online and thought it was interesting. THought some of you might want to take it. It actually gives you a result of either Type A, Type B or Type C... I had never heard of Type C! I got right in the middle which was closest to Type B. I was surprised because I always thought I was more of a type A! But I think I used to be a lot more Type A then I am now and that is why. I have definitely learned to relax and enjoy life more! My score was 55.

http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/yahoo/anxiety/type_a_r_access.html#h
Posted 2/1/2011 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
blush    I took that test and was right in the middle...basically a Type B...the most balanced!  I can't believe it!  With the things I described in this thread I sure thought I fit the Type A personality perfectly.  I know one thing.  If this test is accurate, I sure wouldn't WANT to be a Type A personality! 

 

Sherrine

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