Hello there, and welcome to the next step in the evolution of the “Autoimmunity + Personality Theory.” Please read below for more details about this data collection effort.
BACKGROUND FOR SURVEY
This survey is to help me expand upon a concept that I put together back in October 2016, entitled the “Autoimmunity + Personality Theory.”
The basic premise of the theory is that many of us with autoimmune conditions share similar traits and characteristics, such as being Type A, maximizers, perfectionists, etc. My hypothesis is that certain characteristics and tendencies may contribute to a predisposition for developing an autoimmune disease. In my original theory, I listed 15 traits that I felt fit the mold.
To date, feedback indicates that the majority of readers felt as if the traits described them. Today, I’m wanting to take this a step further and identify which established personality types, if any, are common amongst those of us with autoimmune conditions.
This may help to validate or invalidate my theory, but either way, I have a feeling it will be a remarkable lesson for us all, as I’m on a mission to discover what drives or contributes to autoimmunity beyond just the physical causes.
PLEASE READ: SURVEY DETAILS
If you do not know your Myers-Briggs personality type, you can use this free assessment to help you determine: https://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/. Please be aware that although there are more robust, licensed versions of the Myers-Briggs test out there, many are lengthy and costly. As this “theory” and your participation are neither sanctioned nor sponsored, I did my best to choose a streamlined version of the established test, which I tested for accuracy amongst a small trial group.
If you do not know your Myers-Briggs personality type, you can use this free assessment to help you determine: https://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/. Please be aware that although there are more robust, licensed versions of the Myers-Briggs test out there, many are lengthy and costly. As this “theory” and your participation are neither sanctioned nor sponsored, I did my best to choose a streamlined version of the established test, which I tested for accuracy amongst a small trial group.
Please do not guess or try to remember what your results were when you took the test 5+ years ago, as that may throw off the accuracy of the results. For most, this personality test takes less than 2 minutes to complete, and will help ensure consistency between responses.
Once you know your personality type, please complete the following 6-question survey.
***IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO COMPLETE SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBJG5ZY. Thanks!
***IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO COMPLETE SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBJG5ZY. Thanks!
Create your own user feedback survey
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
I truly believe that this work (and other similar works) will help shape the future of understanding autoimmune conditions, so I genuinely thank you for your time and participation!
I truly believe that this work (and other similar works) will help shape the future of understanding autoimmune conditions, so I genuinely thank you for your time and participation!
I will publish the results of this survey as soon as they’ve been analyzed and written up. If you’d like to be updated on when the results are published, please “Like” Instinctual Wellbeing’s page on Facebook, or subscribe to my newsletter by using the form on the sidebar or footer of this page.
Thanks again. Wishing you and your loved ones the best this holiday season and in the New Year!
I don’t know much about personality theory, which strikes me as a bit too open to interpretation. However, I suspect Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and epigenetics contribute much to autoimmune illnesses.
Does this not work on mobile? I’m not able to actually see the survey part?
Sorry about that, Emily! I just added an alternative link to the post in case it’s not showing up on mobile, as I have had a couple other folks share a similar experience. The link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBJG5ZY Thank you!
I ended up with a different result than normal after taking the personality quiz. I found this one in the past to be really on point: https://www.16personalities.com
Hey Christine – thanks for your feedback! 16Personalities is my personal favorite and very accurate I agree, but due to its length and complexity, did not test well in my pre-survey focus groups. This quiz is shorter, but for the most part it did return positive results amongst my test group. If you already know your Myers-Briggs personality type from 16Personalities or a previous exam, please feel free to complete the survey with the type you believe represents you most accurately. 🙂
ISFP
I don’t know my Meijers Briggs details; as I have never taken the test. However I do know that I fit many “personality traits of people with autoimmunity. I’ve been listening to The Hashimotos Summit 2017 which talks about personality traits of people with hypo. I am a (recovering) type A personality, I am a perfectionist, I am more likely to get up early to get work done than I am to sleep. I do have anxiety though I am working on these issues.
I’m super curious to see about your findings. I wouldn’t be surprised to find there are links!
I am very excited to see the results because I think there will be strong links to personality types. I have also been listening to Hashimotos Summit and I already put connections together between personality traits from different experts on the disease. In Ayurvedic Medicine, there are 3 dosha types, and Pitta and Kata are close symptoms to Hashimoto’s common symptoms. Autoimmune patients often experience “feeling unworthy” and “self sabotage”. They feel as though they can not express themselves to others. Autoimmunity is literally the body attacking itself and self sabatage. Also, my aunt has a book, “How to Heal Yourself” and in the index under thyroid problems it says “Humiliation. Feeling repressed or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. ” I personally resonate with these feelings of feeling as though I can’t be myself and express who I am because of others behavior towards me as though they “won’t get me”‘ or “won’t understand or support me.” Then I self-sabatage myself saying I’m not worth it anyway, and I carry very high standards for myself. I am an INFJ. I just listened to 5 differnet women/men all say these are common traits with thyroid and autoimmunity issues from different conversations. And it’s in Ayurvedic medicine based on many years, and it’s in a spirtual book. I think your mind and they way you think and feel has a huge influence on your body, how it holds on to stress and mangaes it, etc!
Yes, absolutely, Brooke – you bring up great points and I explore very similar concepts during my talk at the Hashimoto’s Summit! I do think that thyroid problems are partially a result of inability (perceived or real) to express oneself, so you’re on the money there and your aunt’s book sounds very interesting. As for Ayurveda, I am a student of Ayurveda and so you’re right that it’s very interesting how it’s all connected. Thanks for your great points and I hope you tune back in for the results of the survey!
This is very interesting. Since some personality traits are genetic, do you think this could be a result of similar gene combinations?
Hey Haley! I think that personality falls within the classic ‘nature vs. nurture’ discussion, so it’s possible that gene combos do have something to do with it. That said, epigenetics holds that although someone may have a certain gene composition, those traits or attributes may never be expressed, so it’s hard to say. I think it’s a very interesting question and field in general though!
Bother, I missed joining in your survey. Might I still? (Somehow?)
Hi Katie – ah, bummer! Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I’ve already begun analyzing the data, so adding new responses in may jeopardize the results. Just out of curiosity though: What’s your personality type?
Hi Mitch, are your results available yet? I just took the MB test and it says I’m INFJ. I am very interested in your analysis! I have autoimmune disease and suspect several members of my family also have it, although they completely dismiss the idea.
Thanks!
Hi Lisa! I am currently analyzing the results and they should be ready in a couple of weeks! 🙂