Neuroticism – Not Only Negative

Do you find yourself dwelling on things, and worrying about being misunderstood or disliked? Today, we’re going to dive into the fifth and final personality factor within the Five-Factor Model – namely, Neuroticism! You can find the previous blog posts about personality here, here, here, here and here.

Has Certain Advantages

People high in neuroticism tend to be anxious, nervous, sensitive, insecure, and prone to worry. Conversely, people who score low on this trait are typically relaxed, calm, self-assured, and content. Although neuroticism might seem solely negative, psychiatrist Anders Hansen argues it also has certain advantages. People in creative professions often score high on neuroticism and can be adept at recognizing different moods. Hansen believes this is a gift.

Can Save Lives

Psychology professor Nigel Holt and his colleagues argue in their book that neuroticism can also have benefits. Although people with high neuroticism are at risk of anxiety and depression, which can lead to life-shortening stress-related illnesses, they can also be good at avoiding risks and dangers – and this can, in some cases, save lives. The authors also suggest they may be competitive due to a fear of failure, which can make them high-achievers.

I’ve Calmed Down Over the Years

Do you think many people with autism have high levels of neuroticism? I suspect that’s the case, although there are always exceptions. However, many autistic people tend to ruminate, worry, and become depressed. They also often obsess over whether they’ve accidentally said the wrong thing or hurt someone, and wonder about others’ motives. I used to worry about everything, but thankfully I’ve become much calmer over the years. Constant worry used to be a real struggle for me!

Thinking Through the Worst-Case Scenario

One thing that has helped me is learning to think critically about the worst possible outcome. For example, if I lost my subway card (which has happened occasionally), I’d either have to buy a new one or walk or cycle. If the weather made cycling impossible, I’d have to walk into town. That would take about two hours, which is a bit long, but I wouldn’t die if I lost it. I’d just face some inconveniences! Thinking through worst-case scenarios and finding solutions has reduced my anxiety.

I Don’t Feel Limited

I’m also careful about certain things. When the risk of terrorist attacks in Sweden increased a few years ago, I became cautious and decided to avoid going into town and crowded places unless absolutely necessary. It’s sometimes necessary, for example when I’m lecturing or need to buy something. But I don’t want to go unless I have to. Skipping a coffee on a patio isn’t a loss, as I can easily spend my time doing other things. I’m aware the risk of a terrorist attack is minimal, but the consequences would be significant if it happened! Whether my caution is good or bad is debatable. I think it’s good, and I don’t feel restricted, but someone else might think it’s wrong to adapt your life based on risks. But it feels right to me.

We’ve Had Negative Experiences

It’s interesting to consider why so many autistic people worry a lot. Is it because autism itself predisposes people to anxiety and mental illness, a theory supported by research, according to Tony Attwood? Or is it because autistic people are more likely to be misunderstood or disliked, and we’re aware that we can’t always interpret others correctly? We often have negative experiences when being ourselves and saying things that might be misinterpreted. We’re also at risk of discrimination, bullying, and poor support, which could increase the risk of mental illness and anxiety. Since we often face negative consequences due to autism, it may be especially important for us to be liked, which could contribute to our anxiety about being disliked. But that’s just my theory.

The Importance of Autism-Specific Expertise

I suspect both biological and social factors may interact to explain why autistic people might be neurotic, but I obviously have no idea! However, the most important thing is that healthcare professionals recognize autistic people’s anxiety and provide appropriate support, which unfortunately isn’t often the case. Healthcare professionals sometimes misinterpret autistic people’s anxiety. Sometimes an autistic person’s reluctance to use public transportation is simply due to unbearable sensory input, but healthcare professionals may incorrectly diagnose social anxiety or even psychosis if the person experiences sounds others don’t. Therefore, healthcare professionals need more autism-specific expertise!

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Book Me

Please reach out to me via the contact form if you’d like to book me for a lecture on autism or an interview about my life with autism. You can find more information about me and my lectures here.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if life feels hopeless! Here’s a list of helplines and phone support services in the US you can contact if you need assistance. For people outside the US this page lists helplines for people in need of immediate mental help support during a mental health crisis.