MARRIAGE AND TYPE A PERSONALITIES
One of the contributions of cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac research has been the identification of the Type A personality. If poorly controlled, this unique breed of coping can increase the risk of developing heart illness and decrease the odds of recovering from heart disease.
Cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman originated the concept of the Type A behavior pattern from their observations of their patient population. Friedman and Rosenman originally defined this behavior pattern as an action-emotion complex that can be observed in any person who is aggressively involved in a chronic incessant struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time, and if required to do so, against the opposing efforts of other things or other persons.
These are tense, energetic individuals who live as if driven by some inner boiler of energy. They approach life with a sense of competitive aggressiveness. They are often referred to as "workaholics." They seem to suffer from "hurry sickness" in that they tend to do everything in a quick and urgent manner.
Type A's can be quite controlling in relationships. They operate as though their way of doing things is the only correct course to follow. Their personal power—coupled with a sometimes quick temper, often explosive speech, and typically tense facial musculature—can be quite intimidating. Their typical style is to think and do more than one thing at a time. As a result, they often give the impression of not paying full attention during conversation. Type A's tend to interrupt when others are speaking and to break eye contact because of distracting thoughts or distracting reactions to environmental stimuli.
These people may also show excessive anger and irritation when faced with any frustrating obstacle. Both large and small hassles can lead to these angry reactions. For Type A's, being unable to find a needed ingredient while preparing a meal could be just as infuriating as being interrupted unnecessarily during an important business meeting. For some, these anger reactions become so pervasive that the individuals appear to be driven by generalized hostility.
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