What are the characteristics of a type B personality?

Type B personalities tend to be relaxed, easy-going, social and less worried, ambitious and organized than Type As. Watch psychiatrist Sudeepta Varma, MD, explain the characteristics and surprising health risks of this laid-back personality type.

Transcript

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Type B People have different types of health risks associated with them. So classically, when we think of being laid back or cheerful,

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you may think of people that live very long or that take good care of themselves. And you actually find the opposite. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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So type B personality tends to be relaxed, easygoing, very social and not worried or not

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stressed in the same way that type A's might be. They also are not as organized. You'll find that they don't tend to check their mail

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or pay their bills as much on time, and they don't have that same sort of motor and that need for sort of ambition and achievement

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as much as type A's do. We also find that as a result of being laid back, type B people have different types of health

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risks associated with them. So classically, when we think of being laid back or cheerful, you may think of people that live very long

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or that take good care of themselves. And you actually find the opposite. Being laid back in and of itself is a risk factor

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because you tend to minimize risk associated with health, and you don't take precautions. And cheerfulness can be a risk factor

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actually for shortening your lifespan because you might engage in certain risky behaviors or may not cope as well with stress as