What Is a Type A Personality?

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on May 10, 2024
Written by Ayisha Sharma
5 min read

A type A personality describes a certain set of personality traits. If you have a type A personality, you are likely to be:

  • Very driven to succeed
  • A hard worker
  • Very competitive 
  • Able to work well under pressure
  • Goal-oriented‌
  • Organized‌

Many traits of a type A personality lead to success in careers. You speak to people directly and say what you feel. You make decisions easily and work hard to get things done and done right. You work well under pressure and meet your deadlines. 

Being type A can also have downsides. If you have a type A personality, you probably put a lot of pressure on yourself. You may feel the need to multitask if you have a lot to do. You want to get tasks done right and done quickly.‌ 

As a person with a type A personality, you don’t like to waste time. You tend to see things in black and white, focusing on things right in front of you. You focus intensely on your work and list of things you want to achieve. If you think that things aren’t going according to plan, you may feel impatient and cranky.‌

Because you put pressure on yourself, you may be more critical of your achievements. You may tend to focus on what you could have done better or more efficiently. This causes internal stress, which can affect your overall health.

Type A personality vs. type B

A type B personality is the opposite of type A. If you have a type B personality, you are likely to be laid back and relaxed. You do your best work but don’t stress about deadlines or to-do lists. If you miss a deadline or don’t complete a task, it doesn’t bother you. People with type B personalities are less likely to be stressed on a day-to-day basis.‌

You may find that you lean more toward one personality type or the other. There may be a certain area of your life, like your career, where you tend to be more type A than type B. In other areas, you may feel less stress and pressure.

You are much more likely to have a lot of stress with a type A personality. You are likely a perfectionist, meaning you hold very high standards for yourself and others. You may work longer and harder than others around you and have a work-life imbalance. This can cause stress in your relationships. You tend to overload yourself and not allow enough time for mental and physical rest.

You may channel your stress as a way to drive you forward. This may work in the short term, but it can take a toll on your attitude and health. You might have a short temper or treat others with hostility because they don’t live up to your expectations for yourself. This can put a strain your relationships at home and work.

Is it bad for your health to have a type A personality?

Not necessarily. It depends on how you manage stress. Stress is generally bad for your health. Long-term stress has been linked with several diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Short-term problems might include:

  • Persistent headaches
  • Muscle tension
  • Chest tightness
  • Tiredness
  • A hard time sleeping
  • Digestive problems

Some research suggests that the type A personality trait of hostility, in particular, might add to the development of coronary heart disease, or CHD. In an early study, researchers found that more than twice as many men with a type A personality developed CHD when compared to people with a type B personality. By the end of the study, it turned out that 70% of the men who had developed CHD had type A personalities.

But, because the study only looked at adult men, it's unclear if the results can be applied to everyone with a type A personality. In fact, later studies in women have not shown such a big difference between type A and type B personalities when it comes to health outcomes, suggesting that how people cope with their type A personality traits is just as important as the traits themselves. 

How do people with type A personalities manage stress?

Having a type A personality is what you make of it. The traits can be good or bad for your health, depending on how you use your strengths. If you tend to have stress, look for ways to improve your mental health.‌

Identify stress triggers. Pay attention to things that increase your stress levels. Once you identify stress triggers, you can find ways to improve those situations in your life. Plan ahead and seek ways to problem-solve before your stress is too high.‌

Plan breaks. If you tend to overwork yourself, plan breaks in advance. If you’re at work, schedule breaks on your calendar. Even when you want to, don’t work through break times. At home, schedule downtime for activities you find joy in. ‌‌

Exercise. Physical activity is one of the best ways to beat stress. Exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood. This can help you maintain a positive outlook instead of allowing stress to overwhelm you.

A type A personality test is usually a self-reported  questionnaire that explores your behavior patterns to find out whether you meet the criteria for a type A person. It may ask questions about:

Drive and achievement. Do you place a lot of weight on your accomplishments and set high goals for yourself? The test might ask about your work ethic, how you handle challenges, and your reaction to setbacks. 

Competitiveness: How important is it for you to "win" in your personal and professional life? The test might ask about how you respond to losses – of awards, arguments, sports games, etc. 

Time urgency. Do you feel a constant pressure to complete tasks quickly and efficiently? The test might explore your time management habits, reaction to deadlines, and how you handle interruptions.

Hostility and anger. Does frustration build up quickly, leading to impatience? The test might examine your emotional responses to delays or the speed at which others do things.

Work-life balance. Can you disconnect from work or are you constantly thinking about getting things done? The test might ask about your ability to relax, ask for help with tasks, and maintain a healthy separation between your work and personal life. 

These tests aren't always accurate as your answers my change depending on what's going on in your life. They're only meant to give you more information. If you feel like your type A personality is creating problems in your life, you should seek help from a mental health professional.

A type A personality is defined by traits like ambition, drive, and competitiveness, which can lead to a high level of success. But type A personalities can also be inpatient, hostile, and have trouble relaxing. It's important to understand yourself and your tendencies so you can create a healthy work-life balance. This will help you control stress that can cause health issues.