A psychologist has revealed the seven archetypes of anxiety, so people can see if any apply to them.
Birmingham-based chartered psychologist Dr Lalitaa Suglani, who is also the author of High-Functioning Anxiety: A 5-Step Guide to Calming Inner Panic and Thriving, took to Instagram to share insights into anxiety archetypes in a recent mail.
The first of the archetypes he listed is that of the caregiver.
According to Dr. Suglani: ‘This archetype is often concerned with meeting the needs of others, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being. They may feel responsible for keeping things together and have a hard time prioritizing their own needs.’
He then listed the perfectionist and said, “This archetype is driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection and may constantly strive for excellence in all areas of life.”
“They may experience anxiety when things do not go as planned or when they perceive that they have not met their own high standards.”
The third archetype on the list was the overthinker.
“This archetype is characterized by a tendency to overanalyze and ruminate on past events or possible future outcomes,” Dr. Suglani wrote.
“They may have difficulty making decisions or taking action due to excessive worry and may feel paralyzed by fear of making mistakes.”
The fourth on the list was the winner.
According to Dr. Suglani: ‘This archetype is motivated by a strong desire to excel and achieve success in various areas of life.
“They may set ambitious goals and push themselves to the limit to achieve them, often at the expense of their own well-being.”
The organizer was the fifth type listed by Dr. Suglani.
Describing this type, he said: ‘This archetype is motivated by a strong desire to excel and achieve success in various walks of life.
“They may set ambitious goals and push themselves to the limit to achieve them, often at the expense of their own well-being.”
Dr. Suglani’s sixth archetype was that of a people pleaser.
Describing people pleasers, she said: “This archetype is driven by the need to gain approval and validation from others, often sacrificing their own needs and boundaries in the process.
“They may go to great lengths to avoid conflict or criticism and may have difficulty asserting themselves in relationships.”
Seventh and last was the one he avoided.
‘This archetype tends to avoid situations or experiences that cause anxiety or discomfort, sometimes resorting to avoidance behaviors as a coping mechanism,’ says the psychologist.
“They may procrastinate on tasks, avoid social interactions, or withdraw from challenging situations to minimize stress.”
