Has anyone ever suggested you are addicted to thrill-seeking? Do people think of you as an adrenaline junkie? If the answer is yes, you may be a Type T personality.

At its core, this personality dimension refers to an individual who gains stimulation from excitement seeking, thrill seeking, arousal seeking, and to a lesser or greater degree, risk-taking (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2013).

If these traits dont describe you, perhaps they characterize someone you know?

Connor, a therapist friend, is the quintessential type T. In the years that Ive known him, he has raced cars, climbed mountains, canoed rivers, and sailed a catamaran.

Hes also mastered downhill skis, upgraded to Telemark skis, and is now an enthusiastic board skier. Believe it or not, his latest passion, deep sea diving, takes him to the Caribbean, a mecca for this activity.

Type Ts closely compare to Kenyons category pursuit of vertigo; defined as the thrill of change and speed while traveling in one direction – while staying in control.

To keep it real, some folks find massive pleasure and satisfaction in pushing the limits. But many type Ts also like flirting with danger.

Some have said this personality type gets high on their own hormones. Who knows. We need to do more research on this front to learn more.

One thing is for sure thrill-seeking behaviors can become addictive. In turn, this can cause a person to escalate their behaviors with the hope of offering greater challenges and experiences.

But being a type T doesnt mean having to live a dangerous life.

For example, less hazardous activities, like partaking in skating, hiking, mountain caving can be satisfying alternatives.

In my years as a counselor, Ive found that trying to change the core features of a persons personality isnt possible. I say this as a person who lives with OCD and not ashamed to admit it.

So, its like this. We are wired the way we are wired. But learning how to channel various components of our personality in healthy ways is possible.

Make sense?

Pursuing the desire to be thrilled to an untimely end isnt necessary. You can find ways to channel this need into safe, challenging pursuits that are compatible with other life areas.

Can you think of some satisfying options?

References Sharkey, B., & Gaskill, S. (2013). Fitness and health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

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