5 Ways to Turn Neuroticism to Your Advantage

New research identifies factors we can work on to feel better — and do better.

The anguish of the neurotic individual is the same as that of the saint. The neurotic, the saint are engaged in the same battle. Their blood flows from similar wounds. But the first one gasps and the other one gives.

— Georges Bataille

It is one of the most effective attitudes of the neurotic to measure thumbs down, so to speak, a real person by an ideal, since in doing so he can depreciate him as much as he wishes.

— Alfred Adler

Neuroticism is a primary personality characteristic, one of the five major traits (the “five factor model”) which to a significant extent crosses culture to determine overall personality, though different cultures may on average be higher on certain traits than others. The other Big 5 personality traits are openness, agreeableness, extroversion and conscientiousness. Characteristics associated with neuroticism include anxiety, hostility, anger, depression, self-consciousness and stress vulnerability.

In defense of self-defense.

While benefits such as intelligence, humor, more realistic if “cynical” expectations, greater self-awareness, drivenness and…