IMMUNE COMPETENT PERSONALITY

By

Taffy Clarke Pelton of Ashland and Medford Oregon

Most of you have probably heard of type A and B personalities. Perhaps when you have impatiently weaved your way through traffic or complained about not having enough time; someone has accused you of being a type A. Or perhaps someone has complained that you have no sense of urgency and are too laid back, which got you labeled a Type B. There are numerous other personality typologies such as the Myers-Briggs based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, and the Enneagram, which describes 9 types, both of which are widely used in psychotherapy and personal growth work. Additionally, in psychopathology, there are numerous personality disorders described such as Narcissism, Dependent, Antisocial and Obsessive Compulsive personalities.

The prevailing wisdom is that personality characteristics are difficult to change. They are essentially fundamental to one's nature. The good news about the immune power personality is that this is one that you can cultivate. The traits of this type personality were developed utilizing the research of 7 famous psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) researchers from 7 major universities.

To make these easier to remember, I have developed these traits into the acronym, HEAL. To HEAL means to be WHOLE. Wholeness is created by establishing a connection between all the aspects of your bodymind, other beings, and your spiritual nature.

1. Hardiness Control, Commitment, and Challenge
   Do you feel in control of your life? Are you committed to certain life goals, creative challenges or relationships. Can you turn a problem into a challenge? People with this type of hardiness seem to suffer fewer chronic illnesses and have stronger immune systems.


2. Esteem
   Ask yourself, how do you feel about yourself? Are you aware of your strengths? Do you like who you are? People who are aware of their strengths are able to withstand stressful life circumstances and are less prone to illness.


3. Awareness - Expression of Body Signals
   Think about this for yourself. When you experience pain or stress, can you feel it? Do you know when you are sad, angry or happy and can you express these feelings? Or do you ignore them and keep on going? Researchers have found that people who are tuned into mindbody feelings of discomfort, fatigue, distress, sadness and pleasure cope better psychologically, have better immune response, and healthier cardiovascular systems.


4. Love Relationships, Helping
   Research also shows that people who have healthy relationships, and extend and receive unconditional love become sick less frequently, and live longer. People committed to helping others often experience the "helpers" high, which is not only emotional and spiritual, but physical as well. Love is the great healer of many ills, emotional, mental and physical.

How does one cultivate these qualities? Let's look at some of the ways.

Hardiness

1. Identify your stressors and learn where you do have and can gain control in your life.
2. Find something to commit yourself to which will give life meaning.
3. Think "Yes". Experience the power of positive thought.
4. Develop a belief in "I can."
5. Believe that you are in charge of your life.

Esteem

1. Develop strong social connections and friends.
2. Acknowledge your accomplishments.
3. Participate in therapy or groups.
4. Explore and establish spiritual practices.
5. Learn to replace negative thought loops with positive beliefs.
6. Consider empathizing and accepting yourself in the way you might care for others.

Awareness

1. Engage in relaxation, prayer, meditation or mindful walking practice and listen to the messages of the body.
2. Find a good yoga class or video tap and practice daily
3. Take plenty of talk time with friends.
4. Write in a journal.

Love

1. Give and ask for time and attention to family and friends.
2. Give of yourself and your own gifts to others.
3. Give and receive touch.
4. Learn to love yourself.

Enjoy a long healthy life as you develop the qualities that give you an immune power personality!

(1) Dreher, Henry, "Immune Power Personality," Noetic Sciences Review, 1996, No.39, p.12