Today, let’s delve into a profound and enriching topic: character traits. Amidst the changes we experience during menopause, understanding our character can be a reliable compass in turbulent waters. Let’s explore together what character is, why it’s important to know it, and how we can discover our own traits.
Understanding the Difference Between Personality Disorders and Character Traits
Before we explore the challenges associated with the psychopathic character trait, it is crucial to understand the nature of the character traits themselves. Character traits are not psychological disorders but rather habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaviour that develop in childhood as a way of coping with trauma.
These traits can last throughout life, with periods of intensification of certain characteristics at specific times. For example, the schizoid character trait is not a disorder but rather a predisposition that can result in isolating behaviours, a general disinterest in social relationships, and limited emotional expression in interpersonal interactions.
The fundamental difference lies in the fact that disorders, such as schizoid disorder, are clinical diagnoses that significantly interfere with a person’s normal functioning and may require professional intervention. On the other hand, character traits are more stable and do not necessarily result in significant dysfunction or suffering.
Character Traits: Understanding the Essence of Who We Are
A character trait is a person’s intrinsic characteristic or quality that consistently influences their behaviour, thoughts, and emotions in various situations over time. These traits are essentially stable patterns of reaction and behavioural tendencies that reflect a person’s personality. They may include extroversion, kindness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experiences, among others.
Character traits are widely regarded as a fundamental part of a person’s identity and play a significant role in how they interact with the world around them. Understanding someone’s character traits can help predict how they will respond to different situations. It can be helpful for self-awareness and a better understanding of others.
Exploring the Complexity of the Human Psyche
The character traits described by Wilhelm Reich provide a deep understanding of the complexities of the human mind. Each trait reflects unique patterns of behaviour and psychological defence mechanisms that take shape during critical stages of life, including gestation, breastfeeding, personality development, and sexual maturity.
These stages are crucial for a child’s growth. During these phases, experiences may cause traumas that shape character traits. These traits are mechanisms that the child develops to cope with the pain and challenges encountered during their development.
Such deep-rooted traumas catalyse genuine transformations within us, facilitated by our nervous system with a clear objective: impart resources that enable us to navigate our significant traumas effectively. Through comprehending these resources and their manifestations throughout our journey, we acquire invaluable insights into ourselves and others, fostering self-awareness and facilitating personal growth.
Each of us carries a unique combination of five character traits, and their expression can vary in degree and intensity depending on the environment and favourable or unfavourable conditions. These traits are like the colours of an emotional spectrum, each contributing distinctly to our personality and behaviour. In different contexts, we may observe subtle nuances or more pronounced manifestations of these traits, revealing the complexity and adaptability of the human psyche in the face of life’s circumstances.
Understanding the Importance of Self-Knowledge
Understanding our character has profound implications in all areas of our lives. During menopause, when we are confronted with so many physical, emotional, and social changes, knowledge of our own character can provide us with an anchor of stability. It helps us understand how we deal with challenges, relate to others, and seek meaning in our lives.
One of my clients is going through menopause. She experiences various physical symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue, along with emotional challenges such as increased anxiety and decreased self-esteem. In addition, she may face social changes, such as changes in her relationships with her partner, family, and friends.
However, Sarah has taken the time to understand her own character traits. She knows she tends to be resilient in facing challenges, preferring to confront them head-on rather than avoid them. Armed with this self-awareness, she navigates the ups and downs of menopause with a sense of stability and confidence.
Knowing her character traits also helps Sarah in her relationships. She understands that during times of stress, she may become more introverted and need more time alone to recharge. With this knowledge, she communicates her needs effectively to her loved ones, fostering understanding and support.
Exploring the Five Character Traits According to Wilhelm Reich
Throughout his work, Reich identified five basic personality traits, each representing a unique facet of personality, and the coping strategies developed in response to the pain of each trait. In this brief study, we will delve deeper into these traits, exploring their distinctive characteristics and how they impact how we live and relate.
Schizoid Trait: Creativity, Emotional Isolation
The schizoid trait is characterized by emotional distancing and social isolation. Individuals with this trait may appear cold and indifferent to others, preferring solitude to social interaction. They may have difficulty establishing deep and intimate connections with others, opting to maintain a safe emotional distance.
Oral Trait: Empathy, Dependency
There are two types of oral character when it comes to seeking connections: those who need and those who deny needing anyone. For fear of abandonment, some people prefer to avoid seeking connections with others, although they need them. However, even the latter group still craves connection. Individuals with pronounced oral character traits typically exhibit specific physical characteristics, such as rounded features, relaxed facial muscles, and a tendency to keep the mouth busy.
Psychopathic Trait: Charisma, Lack of Empathy
The psychopathic trait is often likened to a chameleon, allowing individuals to take control and avoid being controlled. They develop great powers of seduction and negotiation but struggle to trust others. This characteristic allows them to conceal their pain through manipulation while quickly adapting to different environments and interactions. It is crucial to recognise the danger that individuals with psychopathic traits represent and to adopt an assertive and vigilant stance when interacting with them.
Masochistic Trait: Resilience, Self-Depreciation
The masochistic trait involves a propensity for self-depreciation and submission. People with this trait may put themselves in situations of suffering and sacrifice, often seeking acceptance or redemption. They may have difficulty establishing healthy boundaries and feel more comfortable in the roles of victims or subordinates.
Rigid Trait: Discipline, Inflexibility
Lastly, the rigid trait is characterised by rigidity and excessive control over oneself and others. Individuals with this trait may be perfectionists and inflexible in their expectations and behaviours. They may have difficulty adapting to changes and may resist any form of discomfort or uncertainty.
Celebrating the Complexity of Our Essence
As we navigate the menopause journey, understanding our character traits can help us embrace changes with confidence and authenticity. Remember, dear friend, we are like diamonds: multifaceted and shining in our uniqueness. Knowing our character is celebrating who we are,