You walk fast, talk fast and hate waiting in line. Your to-do list has a to-do list. People call you driven, and maybe a little intense. If that sounds like you, you may have heard the term type A personality. This post looks at common type A personality traits, where the idea came from, how type A compares with type B, the real strengths and costs and how to relax as a type A without losing your edge.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice.
Type A personality traits
Type A is not a diagnosis. Researchers describe it as a pattern of behaviour, a way some people tend to cope with pressure and demands (see Sources). Common type A personality traits include:
A sense of urgency. Feeling like there is never enough time.
Competitiveness. Wanting to win, even at small things.
Impatience. Finding it hard to wait in traffic, in line or for others to finish talking.
Doing many things at once. Answering emails during dinner, or planning tomorrow while someone talks to you.
Irritability when slowed down. Getting frustrated when plans change or people move slowly.
Drive. Setting high goals and working hard to reach them.
Am I type A? Instead of a quiz, try reflecting on a few questions:
Do I feel restless when I have nothing to do?
Do I get annoyed when others work at a slower pace?
Do I find it hard to enjoy a win before moving on to the next goal?
Do people close to me say I seem rushed or tense?
If you nodded along to most of these, you may lean type A. That is not good or bad. It is simply a pattern worth understanding.
Where the idea came from, and what researchers think now
The type A idea is decades old. It was once called the "coronary prone behaviour pattern," because it first came out of heart research (see Sources). The label stuck in popular culture, even as research moved on.
Today, researchers see type A as one way of coping with stress, not a fixed type or a health sentence. Some of the newer findings are surprising. A study of more than 1,000 nurses in Poland found that those with type A behaviour patterns actually reported better mental and physical wellbeing and better coping with stress than other nurses (Gieniusz-Wojczyk and colleagues, 2022, see Sources). It is one study, in one group of workers, but it is a reminder that drive is not the problem on its own.
What matters most is how you handle pressure, not the label.
Type A vs type B personality
People often talk about type A vs type B personality as two boxes. In reality, it is more like a spectrum. Most people are a mix, and where you land can change with your job, your stage of life and your stress level.
People who lean type B are often described as more relaxed, patient and easygoing. They may be less bothered by deadlines or delays and find it easier to rest. Type B is not lazy, and type A is not better. Each comes with strengths and challenges.
Many couples, friends and coworkers include one person who leans type A and one who leans type B. That can work well, as long as both people respect the other's pace.
It can help to talk about pace openly. A type A partner might agree to leave some weekend time unplanned. A type B partner might agree to start on shared tasks a little earlier. Small trades like these can ease a lot of friction.
Type A personality and stress, the costs
Drive can be a gift. But type A personality and stress often go hand in hand. The costs can include:
Stress that never switches off. The National Institute of Mental Health describes stress as a physical or mental response to an outside cause, and notes that a stressor can be short-term or can keep happening over a long time (see Sources). For many type A people, the pressure is the long-running kind. Our post on good stress vs bad stress explains the difference.
Impatience with people you love. Snapping at your partner, rushing your kids or finishing other people's sentences can strain relationships.
Trouble resting. Weekends and holidays can feel uncomfortable, or even guilty.
Overlap with overwork. For some people, type A drive slides into working all the time, even when it no longer feels good.
Overlap with perfectionism. High standards can turn into feeling that nothing is ever good enough.
How to relax as a type A without losing your edge
You do not need to become a different person. The goal is to keep your strengths and add a little more balance. Here are some ideas for how to relax as a type A:
Slow one thing a day. Pick one small task, like drinking your coffee or walking to the car, and do it slowly on purpose.
Single-task. Do one thing at a time for a set block, then switch. It can feel strange at first, but many people find they get more done.
Schedule recovery like a meeting. Put breaks, exercise or time with friends on your calendar. If it is booked, you are more likely to protect it.
Notice irritation early. Learn your early signs, like a clenched jaw or a sharp tone. When you notice them, take a short pause, a few slow breaths or a quick walk.
Let some things be "good enough." Not every task needs your best effort. Save your energy for the things that matter most.
Celebrate wins. Before you jump to the next goal, take a moment to notice what you did.
Keep your strengths. Your drive, focus and energy are real assets. The aim is to use them on purpose, not to lose them.
When to get support
Sometimes stress, anger or exhaustion keep winning, even when you try to slow down. It may be time to talk to someone if:
You feel tense or on edge most days
Anger is hurting your relationships or your work
You cannot rest, even when you have time
You feel exhausted or burned out
Your sleep, mood or health habits are slipping
Counselling can help you understand what drives you, manage stress and anger and find a pace that works for you. Our stress and burnout counselling page explains how we can help. You can meet in person or online from anywhere in Ontario.
Common questions about type A personality
Is type A personality a diagnosis? No. It is a pattern of behaviour and a way of coping with pressure, not a mental health condition.
Is it bad to be type A? No. Type A traits like drive and focus can be real strengths. Problems tend to come when stress never switches off.
Can a type A person learn to relax? Yes. Small daily habits, like single-tasking and scheduled breaks, can help.
What is the difference between type A and type B? Type A tends to be more urgent and competitive, and type B more relaxed and patient. Most people are a mix.
Cost, billing and your first step
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. We can help you find a counsellor who is a good fit for you.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Gieniusz-Wojczyk L, Dąbek J, Kulik H. "Type A Behaviour Pattern and Health Behaviour of Polish Nurses." Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(11):6358. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9180370/
National Institute of Mental Health. "I'm So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet." https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet