Neuroticism May have a Healthy Upside

Good news, neurotics! All that extra worry, and those frazzled nerves, might actually have an upside.

According to a new study from the University of Rochester Medical Center, self-described neurotics who also have high levels of conscientiousness (for instance, those who are organized, plan ahead, and are extremely self-controlled) experience lower levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a biomarker for inflammation and chronic disease. In addition to lower levels of IL-6, self-described neurotics also have lower body-mass index scores and fewer diagnosed chronic health conditions.

Researchers arrived at their results after conducting clinical evaluations--12 hours worth of urine samples, along with fasting blood and saliva samples--on more than 1,000 adults. The tests were designed to provide accurate assessments of conditions linked to inflammation, such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes.

"Most studies find that a higher level of neuroticism is associated with increased substance abuse, higher inflammation, and increased risk of mortality," says Nicholas Turiano, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the URMC Department of Psychiatry. "However, what we found was that when people are high both in neuroticism and conscientiousness, the conscientiousness buffers the negative effects of neuroticism," he says. In other words, there is such a thing as "healthy neuroticism."

Yep, us crazy people will be the only ones left.

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