What Is Type C Personality, And Do I Have It?

You may have heard of A and B personality types, but have you ever heard of type C personalities?

What is a type C personality?

People with type C or “consistent” personality traits tend to be extremely detail-oriented, preferring to check and re-check their work over and over again to be sure it’s free from errors. Type Cs may be adept at solving problems but may lean towards perfectionism. They can also be deep thinkers, often pondering over the inner workings of how or why something is the way it is. They may be high achievers and prone to stress and overwork like someone with a type A personality, though they’re typically more patient and meticulous than As.

Those with a type C personality are also similar to those with a type B personality in the way they can sometimes come off as being aloof or uncaring. This is due to the difficulties they often have in expressing their emotions. In addition, type C personalities may find it more difficult to stand up for what they believe in. They may be people pleasers who are conflict-resistant, to the point of agreeing to something that may be to their detriment so as not to make waves. Type C personalities might be considered the, "I don't know, what do you want to do?" kind of person. This may make it more difficult, in some cases, for them to develop strong relationships with romantic partners or friends of a different personality type. 

The type C and type D personality classifications are fairly new. Up until recently, people who were categorized according to this system were either type A or B, which tend to be fairly rigid. These new C and D personality types allow for a blending of the two plus some additional characteristics of their own.

Determining whether you have a type C personality

Do you think you may have a type C personality? Here are some questions for you to answer that may help you narrow it down:

• Do you feel the need to be right about most things?
• Do you require frequent reassurance that you are meeting certain expectations?
• Do you thoroughly research every aspect of a decision before you make it?
• Do you prefer consistency over spontaneity?
• Do you tend to stray away from the expression of extreme emotions?
• Do you dislike unwanted change?
• Are you always the detail-oriented one who reads the fine print?
• When working on a big project, do you prefer working alone?
• Do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist?
• Do you work in engineering, programming, graphic design, art, or architecture?

If you've answered "yes" to all or most of the questions above, then you may have a type C personality. However, note that personalities, like people, are not so cut and dry. You may have many aspects of a type C personality, but you may also have traits that are more consistent with type A or B. For example, you may like to work individually but enjoy socializing in groups in your free time. 

Each person is unique and personalities are complex, with these types being only one way of many to measure or describe parts of them. If you're looking to learn more, there are a variety of personality tests you can take. Remember that each individual is more than a personality-type label, and that these identifiers and tests are simply a way to help highlight certain traits that it could be helpful for a person to be aware of.

Health concerns potentially associated with the type C personality

Just as it’s suggested that type As may be more likely to experience cardiac issues than their counterparts, type Cs may be more likely to experience cancer. This may be because type C personality traits often include neuroticism and introversion, which can lead to repression of emotions and a lack of sufficient social support—potentially leading to disease. This is why people with type C traits may also be more vulnerable to mental health conditions like depression.

Autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, asthma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and lupus may also be more likely to occur in individuals with type c personalities for the same reasons. They may also be more likely to experience helplessness and increased stress in the face of such a condition, which could result in more frequent or severe flare-ups. That’s why it can be helpful to address any personality traits that could be contributing to psychological challenges, as they may directly impact physical health.

Seeking support through therapy

Getting to know more about your own key personality traits can be helpful in understanding why you may face certain challenges. For example, if you find yourself having difficulties with things like perfectionism, social isolation, or depression, it could be the result of a type C personality or other natural tendencies. By working with a therapist, you may be able to address and shift some of these tendencies that might be negatively impacting your life so you can potentially enjoy improved health and well-being. 

Not everyone has the availability or transportation to travel to and from a therapist’s office for regular sessions. In cases like these, online therapy can represent a more convenient alternative. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that therapy conducted online and therapy conducted in person can offer equal effectiveness in most cases, so you can generally pursue whichever type works best for you.