Tue 21 / 04 / 20
Why Brightonians are more likely to suffer from Anxiety – and what we can do about it
By Lucinda Leo of
Mental health issues can affect anyone. However, some are more vulnerable than others. About 20% of people are born with certain personality traits that make them more likely to suffer from anxiety, and - for reasons I’ll explain - this figure is even higher in Brighton.
Most of the clients I see in my cognitive hypnotherapy practice have these traits. Their nervous systems are more sensitive and reactive than average. Consequently, they are aware of, and have strong reactions to, things that pass many people by.
Psychologists have identified five types of ‘intense’ traits. People can have one or all five, but most commonly a combination of several.
1. People with emotional intensity are sensitive, empathetic and feel things more deeply than most.
2. Those with intellectual intensity can’t tolerate any kind of injustice or unfairness. Often labelled ‘overthinkers’.
3. Individuals with imaginational intensity are creative and think outside the box, but because their imaginations don’t come with an off switch, they can get mired down in bleak imaginary scenarios.
4. People with psychomotor intensity have huge drive and energy.
5. Those with sensual intensity have heightened awareness of their physical sensory environment.
Familiar? Probably - people with these intense traits are drawn to our vibrant, liberal city like bees and butterflies to a springtime wildflower meadow. They love Brighton’s thriving arts scene, its glorious countryside and dynamic beach culture, our kindness to the homeless, our commitment to a cleaner environment.
Brighton’s large intense population is one of the reasons we’re the start-up capital of Europe. But it also means that those of us who live here have to learn to get along with some pretty intense types!
While each type of intensity can bring strengths – the success of many entrepreneurs, for instance, is due to a combination of their drive (psychomotor intensity) and their ability to envision how to fill gaps in the market (imaginational intensity) – intensities also bring challenges.
People with emotional intensity, for example, are sensitive and caring, but can be devastated by upsetting world events. And someone with intellectual intensity might campaign tirelessly to change an unjust policy but drive others mad because they don’t know when to let things drop.
But the biggest challenge people with intensity face is the way others judge them. Unaware of what’s going on inside, people often treat intense individuals as though they’re choosing to (over)react, or that they somehow lack the character to override their strong impulses. They spend their lives being told to lighten up, stop being so sensitive, or to calm down.
It therefore comes as no surprise that these intelligent individuals waste large amounts of energy trying to supress their intense natures. Handling the challenges that intensity brings is hard enough – trying to hold a huge cork of a personality under the water at the same time is a perfect recipe not just for anxiety, but for a host of other mental health issues.
So, how can we help? The single biggest thing we can do to support our intense colleagues and loved ones is to recognise that they’re experiencing the world in their own unique ways. Accept that his incessant chatter is a result of his passion for his work. That her extraordinary problem-solving skills may come across as overly critical. That their capacity to listen and empathise with clients makes someone prone to migraines.
As I write this, Brighton is in lockdown as we attempt to manage the coronavirus pandemic. Anxiety levels are up and so is our tendency to judge our neighbours. But before we do, let’s remind ourselves how little we know about the challenges faced by others – even those closest to us. Let’s remember that we’re all experiencing the world differently and focus on being the best we can be while allowing others to thrive in their own unique way.
Visit Lucinda’s website to discover your intensity profile, or to arrange a free no-obligation chat about any of the issues raised here.
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