Emotional Stability Test
I typically remain composed when faced with emergencies.
Minor errors or awkward social moments tend to make me feel deeply self-conscious.
I'm confident in my ability to manage nearly any challenge life presents.
I tend to notice potential threats more readily than others do.
I usually keep my feelings in check without much difficulty.
My low moods don't stick around for very long periods.
Old errors from years past sometimes resurface in my thoughts, bringing feelings of embarrassment.
I frequently experience stress in my daily life.
I adapt quickly to sudden changes or surprises.
Even helpful feedback can be difficult for me to accept without feeling hurt.
It takes a lot to put me in a foul mood.
An unexpected touch from behind often makes me jump or feel alarmed.
I don't spend much energy fretting over circumstances beyond my influence.
I have a tendency to get angry easily.
After messing up, I tell myself it's normal and everyone makes errors sometimes.
My emotions can shift rapidly from cheerful to downcast in a short time.
Dwelling on potential future problems doesn't seem productive to me.
I make an effort to look for positive aspects in difficult circumstances.
Even small setbacks can trigger a prolonged negative emotional reaction for me.
If someone's actions bother me, I might dwell on them for several days.
20 questions remaining
What You Should Know
It's common for people to be somewhere in the middle of the neuroticism-stability spectrum. It's much less common for someone to be at either end of the spectrum.
It is believed that a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as events that happened in early life and the environment in which you grew up, determines how emotionally stable you are.
People tend to become more emotionally stable, responsible, and agreeable over time, rather than the other way around. Researchers refer to this pattern of change as "personality maturation."
Even mild neurotic tendencies can be annoying because they make you feel bad. But scientists say that some parts of neuroticism may be good for us. For example, thinking about a mistake we made in the past may help us not make it again.
You might want to ignore your more neurotic tendencies and the bad feelings they cause. But paying attention to them on purpose, without judging yourself, can help you be more compassionate toward yourself and deal with them better.
Make a difference now
Get help from a therapist. A mental health professional can give you specific ways to improve your emotional stability and deal with stress better.
Find a good way to deal with stress. Remembering the things that have helped you in the past can help you get through times when you feel overwhelmed.
Keep a journal of things you're thankful for. It's easy to focus on what's going wrong. Paying attention to what's going well can help you stay strong when things get tough.
