What is neuroticism and how to lower it?

Tips for managing your high neuroticism.

What is neuroticism? #

One of the Big Five higher-order personality traits in the study of psychology is neuroticism. Individuals who score high on neuroticism are more likely than average to be moody and to experience such feelings as anxiety, worry, fear, anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, guilt, depressed mood, and loneliness. People who are neurotic respond worse to stressors and are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. They are often self-conscious and shy, and they may have trouble controlling urges and delaying gratification.

A measure of the startle reflex can be used to predict the trait neuroticism with good accuracy; a fact that is thought by some to underlie the neurological basis of the trait. The startle reflex is a reflex in response to a loud noise which one typically has no control over, though anticipation can reduce the effect. The strength of the reflex as well as the time until the reflex ceases predict neuroticism.

How to deal with your neuroticism? #

Wikipedia Neuroticism

The BIS is thought to be related to sensitivity to punishment as well as avoidance motivation, while the BAS is thought to be related to sensitivity to reward as well as approach motivation. Neuroticism has been found to be positively correlated with the BIS scale, and negatively correlated with the BAS scale.

It may be that you will be more motivated to avoid bad outcomes than promotions or significant gains. Try to use that to your advantage.


  1. https://www.reddit.com/r/JordanPeterson/comments/8b5xn3/advice_for_high_neuroticism/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. https://www.reddit.com/r/thelastpsychiatrist/comments/aatfns/how_to_deal_with_trait_neuroticism/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. https://www.reddit.com/r/JordanPeterson/comments/89s9aj/tips_on_reducing_neuroticism/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. https://www.reddit.com/r/JordanPeterson/comments/75c1gv/tips_for_people_high_in_neuroticism/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. WHY IT PAYS TO BE A BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND
    But, read The only metric of success that really matters is the one we ignore as well. ↩︎

  6. To be more creative, don’t set traditional goals, set “process goals” ↩︎



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