Personality of a Melancholic
Each of us is surely familiar with the basic personality typology based on temperament from Hippocrates, which divides personalities into sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic. This personality division is based on the predominant bodily fluid in the body, such as blood, phlegm, yellow bile, or black bile. Each of us has personality traits from each typology, but usually one predominates.
Melancholics are people for whom black bile predominates according to this typology. These individuals are described as very sensitive and empathetic, but also characterized by moodiness and emotional vulnerability. They are often very kind, loyal, and considerate, and are characterized by reliability and honesty. They are extremely cautious. Questions of respect and morality are particularly important for melancholics. They respect authority, follow rules, and feel comfortable in hierarchies that implement structure, regulations, and order.
Melancholics often exhibit creativity as artists, musicians, or writers, but they can also be too obsessed with the tragedy and cruelty of the world, and thus fall into depression. They favor a quiet work environment where they can fully devote themselves to their work. They have their own beautiful, deep inner world and value perfectionism. They have high expectations not only for themselves but also for people around them. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are detail-oriented. They love routine, which they consider relaxing and gives them a sense of security and certainty. They are very orderly and do not like unpredictability, so they like to make specific plans and stick to them. They are often known for thinking outside the box, and their creativity can extend to every aspect of their life. They often come up with creative ways to show people how much they care about them, and can find innovative processes and ways to solve complex problems at work.
The negative side of melancholic personality is that individuals may become withdrawn, dogmatic, and stubborn. They also tend towards pessimism, which can turn into fatalism, believing that nothing will ever change for the better. Sometimes they are overly critical and judgmental because they often believe in their own moral superiority. Their thriftiness can turn into greediness. Some melancholics may get fixated on the past, spending hours pondering what their life would be like if they had done something differently. They may also have difficulty stopping what they are doing, so accumulation is often a frequent problem.
Melancholics in managerial positions
Melancholics in leadership and administrative positions often excel because they stick to facts and established rules. They are highly effective and productive in their careers because they are task and goal-oriented. Additionally, they are reliable and take care of maintaining social relationships that matter to them. They are excellent at managing people, whether at work or at home.
Melancholics are often highly self-motivated due to their innate perfectionist tendencies. They are usually motivated by high standards rather than rewards or the threat of punishment. They may prefer multiple chances to complete similar tasks because they strive to improve with each attempt. Their motivation is often derived from their determination to give their best, and when they fail, they tend to feel anxious and fearful.
Their great domain is their tendency towards analytical thinking. They often anticipate the outcome of a project long before its completion. They may be able to see situations and problems from all sides and see possible outcomes. This can make them effective in problem-solving, planning, and organizing.
However, they may struggle with managing and regulating their emotions. Their heightened irritability and constantly changing emotions can lead to rapid mood swings if they do not have strategies to manage their emotions. For example, if something negative happens, they may experience a strong shift or drop in feelings of euphoria and energy to melancholy. In extreme situations, they may be paralyzed with fear and depression. However, they can usually hide their emotions well and do not always show them even during large mood swings. They only confide in close people with whom they establish stronger bonds.
Melancholic in romantic relationships
Melancholics in romantic relationships are typically very loving and loyal to their partner. They commit to the relationship and take it very seriously, practicing everything that is considered appropriate to please their partner, whether it’s buying little things, making plans for spending time together, or sticking to a specific timeline for certain things. Melancholics are usually predictable since they stick to a routine, and their partner would never have to worry about where they will be. People with similar temperament are often attracted to melancholics because of their love for order, attention to detail, and tradition. They don’t like conflicts and prefer a peaceful partner.
The melancholic nature of contemplating decisions is also reflected in their choice of partner. Before deciding and committing to a partner, they need time. Unlike most people in a relationship, melancholics may not be as passionate. Pragmatism in choosing a partner is not an unusual trait, and they choose their partners based on logical reasons and compatibility. Their basic trait of loyalty implies faithfulness to their partner, and they will always sacrifice for their loved ones. They are very romantic, and thanks to their sense of detail, they will remember important dates in your life. They are also shy when meeting new people, but they will open up to their partner after a certain amount of time. Therefore, as a partner, it is essential to be sensitive in the social area.
However, it should be remembered that every personality is unique, and no one has qualities of only one type from the given typology. Therefore, we speak of prevailing characteristics, tendencies, or traits.