Anxious worrying style

While many people experience periods of worry in their lives, those with an anxious worrying temperament have a tendency to worry most of the time, seemingly over the most trivial incidents and situations. They are often described by others as being ‘highly strung’ or ‘nervy’. Domains of anxiety may include worrying that the worst will happen even after minor events, being especially sensitive about unexpected changes in their immediate environment, and getting upset over minor things that go wrong. People with this type of temperament are easily upset and stressed, and can seem tense and jumpy. When distressed, they tend to find comfort in talking to close friends about their worries and in seeking reassurance, or going quiet and keeping to themselves. Sometimes they may resort to temporary relief from their worries by engaging in pleasurable activities as a means of distraction.

Key characteristics of the Anxious Worrying Temperament (derived from our Temperament and Personality Questionnaire):

• High levels of autonomous arousal.

• Easily rattled and upset.

• Tense and nervy.

• Worry over minor things.

• Take things too personally.

• Worry that the worst will happen.

When stressed, key personality features of the anxious worrier, such as ruminative and catastrophic thoughts, worsen. When such thoughts begin to focus on excessive self-doubt, and pessimism about the future, together with a sense of ineffectiveness or helplessness, a depressive episode may arise.