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Temperament—innate, genetically influenced behavioral styles such as reactivity, sociability, and emotionality—serves as the foundation for personality and significantly influences mental health. Specific temperamental traits, such as high harm avoidance (anxiety), high negative emotionality, or unstable affective temperaments (e.g., cyclothymic), are strong predictors for anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. Affective Temperaments and Disorders: Unstable affective temperaments (cyclothymic, dysphoric, and volatile) correlate strongly with psychiatric symptoms. For instance, a melancholic temperament is associated with depression, while hyperthymic (high energy/positive) temperament may offer some protection against mental disorders, although it can be linked to bipolar disorder.

Anxiety and Fearfulness: Anxious temperament, often linked to high harm avoidance, involves shyness, social discomfort, and fear of uncertainty, which are high-risk factors for developing anxiety disorders.

Overcontrolled/Undercontrolled Types:

Overcontrolled (OC): Characterized by extreme self-control, perfectionism, and inhibited emotions, often linked to depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Undercontrolled: Characterized by low emotional regulation, impulsivity, and high activity, often linked to externalizing behaviors, such as ADHD or conduct issues.

Risk vs. Protective Factors: High negative emotionality increases risks, while high "effortful control" (the ability to regulate attention and behavior) acts as a protective factor against both internalizing and externalizing mental health issues. 

The Role of Temperament
Temperament affects how individuals experience, interpret, and react to their environment, which in turn influences the development of coping mechanisms and personality. While temperament is mostly innate, it is not destiny; however, it shapes the likelihood of developing mental health conditions across the lifespan. 

This week we would like to highlight Help Guide Can if you would like to learn more or donate click the link below https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/psychology/personality-types-traits-and-how-it-affects-mental-health

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The 988 Lifeline
988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. (Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely.) https://988lifeline.org/

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