.title
{THE SIXTEEN TYPES AND STRESS}
.intro
{Let's start with the basics:  stress is inevitable, and not all of it is bad.  In fact, certain kinds of stress keep us on our toes, motivated, and ready for action.  Stress has been likened to a bell curve - we are at our best when we're moving up toward the top.  At its peak, stress gives us a sense of being out of control; at its ebb, lack of stress creates an apathy that can render us defenseless and paralyzed.  So a certain amount of stress is inevitable and healthy.

Another basic fact is that what stresses one personality type may be relaxing to another.  "Easy listening" (read: elevator) music may make some workers relaxed and productive, while for others, it is the musical equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard.  So, too, for classical, country-western, opera, or jazz.  What seems harmless - indeed beneficial - to us may send others in the office over to the windowsill to contemplate jumping.

But music is only the beginning.  From personal habits (foot tapping, nail biting, pacing) to personal style (dress, mannerisms, speech patterns) to the manifestations of different preferences (thinking out loud, chronic tardiness, rigidity,) there's something in each of us that can potentially drive someone else up a wall.

Of course we haven't even mentioned the big-picture stressors - relationships, personal finances, world crises, the stock market, and deadline pressures, to name just a few.  To varying degrees these touch each of us over the course of the day - and on into the sleepless night.

It's important to note that severe stress rarely results from just one or two factors.  In most cases it's a building-block effect:  personal issues piled on top of work issues combined with concern for the state of the world all feeding each other, building pressures.  It may be one additional, perhaps trivial, matter that puts you over the top - the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back.

Just as different types create stress differently, so, too, does each type interpret and deal with stress in different ways.  Some talk their way through it - to friends, neighbors, and veritable strangers - while others work it out inside.  Some types tackle their stressors and hit them head-on, while others prefer to imagine them out of existence.  Some interpret stress as a personal attack on them by a specific individual (or even by the entire universe), while others interpret it as one of the laws of life, as sure as death and taxes.

Before we describe how each of the sixteen types reacts to stress, let's first point out a few dynamics that often accompany stress for most personality types.  The first is illustrated in the old adage, When you're knee-deep in alligators, it's hard to remember that your original mission was to drain the swamp.  In other words, stress often sneaks up on us, and it's not until we are "knee deep" that we suddenly realize how stressful a situation is.  It then acts like a snowball rolling down a hill, enlarging rapidly unless we find a way to stop the momentum.  It can soon be out of control.

We have a great deal of control over some parts of our lives and little or no control over other parts.  The difference between being stressed and not being stressed is the wisdom to know which things we can change and which things we can't.   In dealing with a stressful relationship with a co-worker, it would make sense to be in touch with and try to control your own behavior, your own work habits, and your own job responsibilities.  It would be futile - and a recipe for stress - to project your anger onto your co-workers, to burn energy trying to change him or her, or to modify your own work habits trying to accommodate a situation that may be impossible to ameliorate.  You can be in charge of yourself, which can help to keep your stress in bounds.  You can't control others.  By the way, this same rule applies to other parts of life - everything from traffic jams to shoppers having more than the requisite number of items in the express check-out lane.  You can control the route you drive or the way you respond to the traffic - you can turn on the radio or simply take a deep breath - but your anger and stress won't budge gridlocked rush-hour traffic an inch.

Often what is happening is that life has moved us, or we perceive it has moved us, to operate primarily from our non-preferences and not from our preferences.  If you are a Sensor and you are forced to spend an inordinate amount of time examining the future or creating a strategic plan, for example, and not able to do something that will produce some tangible results, you may indeed be on a nonstop bus to Stressville.  If you must rely largely on your non-preferences to cope with a situation, you are already starting off on the wrong foot.  You may act responsibly and successfully in the situation, but that won't necessarily ward off stress.

So, stress attacks us in a least four ways:  a) when we're not paying attention to it;  b) when we feel we're losing control;  c) when we're trying to control the wrong or inappropriate areas of our - or others' - lives; and  d) when we're forced to use our non-preferences more than our preferences.

Given all this, a fundamental part of dealing with stress is to understand how each of the preferences interprets and deals with stressful situations.}

.istptitle
{Too much stress in an ISTP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.istp1.
{<U>Wide mood swings with "blurts" and denials<N>:  It will be obvious from body language to blurted words that something is wrong.  However, when surfaced, denial will prevail.  "I said nothing is wrong!!"}
.istp2
{<U>A sudden lack of precision and high disinterest<N>:  Normally this type is accurate, precise and quite proud and confident about his/her capabilities.  The confidence becomes undermined, the work becomes sloppy and the person loses interest.}
.istp3
{<U>A higher need to control coupled with scatteredness<N>:  It's a bad version of the adage - the faster I go, the behinder I get.  Very bad self, time, and project management with a low capability to respond to external stimuli.}
.isfptitle
{Too much stress in an ISFP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.isfp1
{<U>Extreme self effacement and depression<N>:  Between overpersonalizing and underestimating, the ISFP can turn inward and in no time at all convince themselves (and others too) of their meaninglessness and uselessness in any situation, leaving the ISFP very isolated and depressed.}
.isfp2
{<U>A closed rigid sense of martyrdom<N>:  No matter what feedback may be offered, it's quickly used to prove to the ISFP how unappreciated and unrespected they are and no matter how hard he/she (ISFP) tries, the efforts are rejected.}
.isfp3
{<U>An emotional dump totally disproportionate to the event<N>:  Once the ISFP opens up, here comes a whole series of things that need to be said, having been welled up inside for who knows how long.}
.infptitle
{Too much stress in an INFP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.infp1
{<U>Wide mood swings<N>:  At the early stages of stress the INFP can become really scattered, extremely extraverted and switch instantly to sullen rigidity.}
.infp2
{<U>A disproportionate angry non-negotiability<N>:  This is normally an easygoing, fairly pliable low need to influence type.  Suddenly that disappears and it's a sort of "everybody lookout and above all, don't tread on me."}
.infp3
{<U>Marked restlessness and avoidance<N>:  Whether it' a confrontation or just finishing a project, as the stress mounts so does the avoidance, yet the restlessness can keep the INFP focusing on all the <U>wrong<N> things.}
.intptitle
{Too much stress in an INTP can manifest behaviorally as:}
.intp1
{<U>Extremely out of touch with reality<N>:  Great ideas and enthusiastic sharing, even defensive arguing, confront the person dealing with the stressed type.  Under stress one finds the INTP's idea to have no basis in fact and can often be a long way from any implementation.}
.intp2
{<U>Quite loud and very rigid<N>:  When pushed, the rather quiet, easygoing and accepting INTP can become loud, demanding, and rigid.  The sudden and dramatic change is so removed from usual, most would be aware of it quickly.}
.intp3
{<U>Impatience marked with arrogance<N>:  The high need for internal consistency coupled with the inner clarity with which INTP's can move to a mental conclusion, can make him/her seem so short, rude, or condescending towards anyone.}
.estptitle
{Too much stress in an ESTP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.estp1
{<U>Very fidgety and scattered<N>:  It's almost a slight restlessness that flits everywhere, stays focused on nothing, avoids everything and yet can be loud and obnoxious.}
.estp2
{<U>Pensive and distorting of the facts<N>:  Others might call it lying, yet for this type when stressed it can be seen as a variety of facts with very serious negative spin or distortion, blurted then very quiet, controlling.}
.estp3
{<U>A clumsiness with a resentment to routine<N>:  Resistance, rebellion, passive aggressive and outright disrespect can be symbols that suggest extreme stress is very nearby.  The tried and true tend to be avoided and even disregarded.}
.esfptitle
{Too much stress in an ESFP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.esfp1
{<U>Total denial of anything and everything<N>:  More than any type, the ESFP is the "whistle while walking by a graveyard."  Stay happy, stay busy, stay loose and ready, and the more the stress the more the ESFP becomes the extreme of all of the above.}
.esfp2
{<U>Fatigue marked by despair, distrust, doom and gloom<N>:  As the ESFP can easily overextend, it can become uncontrollable.  Such a dilemma can lead to one failure after another - or at least perceived failures.  Failure to self pace can lead to misery that reflects increasing stress.}
.esfp3
{<U>A wide swing between scatteredness and rigidity<N>:  As stress mounts the ESFP swings from an effort to control everything to an inability to control anything.  Such behaviors are marked with extremes between loudness and silence.}
.enfptitle
{Too much stress in an ENFP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.enfp1
{<U>Extreme mood swings with no warning<N>:  From a sullenness marked with extreme pessimism and self abatement to an almost manic bubbliness that overwhelms anyone within reach.}
.enfp2
{<U>A higher than usual need to control people and things<N>:  Imposing guilt on others, feeling guilty themselves; punishing others and self indiscriminately, and making unreal demands are all indications that stress is near.}
.enfp3
{<U>Increased physical maladies scattered behavioral patterns<N>: The hyperventilation starts, upper shoulder and neck aches, as well as headaches can reduce the ENFP to almost immobility - to which this type responds with severely intense "starts" that go nowhere leaving the ENFP more scattered and frustrated than ever.}
.entptitle
{Too much stress in an ENTP can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.entp1
{<u>Loud, controlling, scattered redundancies<N>:  Almost as if only to hear him/herself talk, this type tries to control all the "airways".  Saying anything, talking out of both sides of mouth, increasing volume, and repeating, repeating, repeating...}
.entp2
{<u>Pushing anything or anyone to the limit and then some<N>:  Marked with great insensitivity, the ENTP can try anyone's patience in an unending effort to stay the center of attention.  Regards for anyone else's needs are subjugated to a relentless grab for the spotlight.}
.entp3
{<u>Efforts to control are blocked by scatteredness<N>: As with almost any perceiving type, staying focused can require effort.  As the stress mounts, so does the effort to stay focused and it manifests itself as flights or swings between extremely controlling, repressing behaviors and totally "off the wall" flights of fancy bordering on the absurd.}
.estjtitle
{Too much stress in an ESTJ can express itself behaviorally as:}
.estj1
{<U>Extreme rigidity marked with an inability to admit failure<N>:  Someone else is always at fault and as stress mounts, it is incomprehensible that this type had anything to do with creating the stress and it becomes impossible to admit he or she is wrong.}
.estj2
{<U>A frantic effort to be in control of everything<N>:  A poor decision is better than no decision at all.  Decide for self and anyone in reach, control, get adamant and loud and never look back, never second guess, and above all never admit to or own a flaw or shortcoming.}
.estj3
{<U>A wide swing between domineering loudness and sullen withdrawal<N>:  Somewhere between bitterness and pouting, almost always couched in anger, one can experience a tirade or total withdrawal or a mixture - any combination of which gives the signal that the ESTJ is impervious to anything.  Even if no door exists, things are slammed shut and everyone and everything in a very belittling way are closed out of the ESTJ's reference.}
.esfjtitle
{Too much stress in an ESFJ can express itself behaviorally as:}
.esfj1
{<U>A sweep under the rug denial buried in sweetness<N>:  More than other types, harmony is central to this type and when it is absent, feed someone chicken soup, cookies and milk, or something - but make the stress go away.  It really isn't serious is it?  Hugs and kisses will reduce the stress and produce normalcy again.}
.esfj2
{<U>A heavy surge for control and order<N>:  Now, now, if one just busies oneself, do something - tidy things up, organize, involve oneself in honest work, help someone - whatever, the stress will go away.}
.esfj3
{<U>An overpersonalization of everything<N>:  Extremes of inward guilt and projected guilt; an assumption that the ESFJ is a central part of the cause of whatever; if someone else is wrong - he/she should be punished; if the ESFJ is wrong, though hard to believe, then extreme martyrdom and worthlessness is on the way.}
.enfjtitle
{Too much stress in an ENFJ can express itself behaviorally as:}
.enfj1
{<U>Low self esteem and sullen rejection of others<N>:  People are no damn good - totally untrustworthy.  That's because the ENFJ is no damn good and totally untrustworthy.  Their (ENFJ's) theme song becomes "Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me, Guess I'll Go Eat Worms..."}
.enfj2
{<U>An almost blind denial of negative reality<N>: The ENFJ would almost rather martyr him/herself than accept a negative truth about anyone - especially a trusted friend or relative.  "Sucker" tends to be written all over them and when someone else acts on it, withdrawal, sulkiness, bitterness, unforgiveness, absolutism all command the ENFJ's behaviors.}
.enfj3
{<U>Fatigue, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness take center stage<N>: When the ENFJ is caught in this much stress there are not many negotiables.  Any of the positive quickly turns toxic, is easily spewed on or towards others and then the ENFJ makes a hasty retreat into a non-communication that ranges from bitterness to "I'll not forget today and I'll get even."}
.entjtitle
{Too much stress in an ENTJ can express itself behaviorally as:}
.entj1
{<U>A loud arrogant impersonal "my way or the highway" stance<N>:  It is difficult for this type to fathom being wrong.  As stress mounts so does the conviction of the ENTJ's rightness coupled with an intense need to argue loudly and angrily any point so long as to maintain control.}
.entj2
{<U>An impatient, insensitive, repressive need to take charge of everything<N>:  From every detail to every large system the ENTJ projects a know-it-all persona and is at the throat of anyone and everyone who suggests a new idea or a shortcoming on the ENTJ's part.}
.entj3
{<U>A cool, aloof, detached, disinterested, rejection of everything<N>:  Depending upon the stress level, the ENTJ can go from a command voice to total disinterest and almost refuse to communicate.  Such detachment, couched in intellectual superiority, is debilitating and depersonalizing of others.  Rarely can or will an ENTJ admit to a failure and so such non-speak leaves others nowhere to go and keeps the ENTJ fighting for control.}
.istjtitle
{Too much stress for an ISTJ can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.istj1
{<U>Extreme efforts to control<N>:  people, things, and everything else.  Super-rigidity, unswerving demands on self and others.}
.istj2
{<U>A very negative and pessimistic outlook<N>:  This can show up as a high distrust of the unknown - in people, things, future planning and strategizing; any show of concern or emotion is intolerable.}
.istj3
{<U>High unpredictability<N>:  She/he may swing from high rigidity and loudness to scatteredness and zero communication and back again to the rigid.  It is the 'swing' - with no apparent pattern - that is so unnerving to this very predictable and dependable ISTJ and to others observing it.}
.isfjtitle
{Too much stress for an ISFJ can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.isfj1
{<U>Ill-timed "blow ups" disproportionate to the event<N>:  The supportive and obligatory nature of this type allows others to take of him/her.  As the stress mounts, he/she may unload a backlog of similar moments that have been carried and remembered in a quiet fashion.  No one, including the ISFJ, knows when such "dumps" will occur.}
.isfj2
{<U>Self-effacement<N>:  Not withstanding the loyalty and dependability of this type, as he/she becomes stressed, he/she can become very self-punishing and even somewhat verbal about how useless to everyone he/she is.}
.isfj3
{<U>A wide mood swing<N>:  From a negative and anxious fear of the unknown to a martyristic self-suffering in the name of duty, the behaviors can range from terror to tears in a matter of seconds - all of which are somewhat easily read by others which in itself is stressful to this type.}
.infjtitle
{Too much stress for an INFJ can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.infj1
{<U>Extraverted blurts of badly handled facts<N>:  Not bothered by accuracy or inaccuracy, when stress mounts, this type will quote, badger, and explode with a firm, even righteous, display of facts that may or may not be related to what's happening.}
.infj2
{<U>A sullen, wounded martyrdom<N>:  All of the rich imaginative inspiration of this type turns quickly to a bitter sense of rejection as fatigue and other stressors manifest themselves.}
.infj3
{<U>A combination of strengths and weaknesses maximized<N>:  In stress, Introversion becomes non-speak; inspiration and theory becomes convoluted complexity, i.e. complexity upon complexity; structure and closure becomes insensitive stubbornness.}
.intjtitle
{Too much stress for an INTJ can manifest itself behaviorally as:}
.intj1
{<U>Edgy, arrogant, argumentative, impatient<N>:  If bombarded with too many and demands, details, interpersonal needs, this type moves to an apparent impatience and disdain for the events and people in his/her immediate presence.}
.intj2
{<U>A seduction about capabilities and failures<N>:  As stress mounts and the INTJ's competencies are tested, he/she seduces himself/herself into believing that it is nothing serious and for someone so competent, it is easily conquered by being more controlling.  This is interspersed with flashes of self-doubt and assumed failures marked with extreme self-criticism.}
.intj3
{<U>A marked increase in distrusting others<N>:  This can be projected outward as  disbelief - since the issue is so clear to the INTJ, how can anyone disagree?  "They (whoever they are) are obviously out to get me" and "they are trying to undermine me and my project."}
