Rigid character structure: the perfectionist

Do you know someone who is all proportional, with an hourglass figure and well-defined muscles? That’s an attractive person, but they never feel good or perfect enough. This person probably has a high predominance of the rigid character structure. Read this post to learn all about the structures of beautiful, proactive, and agile people who strive for perfection!

There are 5 Reichian character structures. Don’t be alarmed by their names. They are scientific names that have been maintained since they were created. In this post, we will talk about the rigid character structure, the defense mechanism of the perfectionist people who are always improving themselves.

What is the rigid character structure

People of this structure have an extra sexual energy and a more harmonious and fluid body. Their body considered by many to be beautiful within cultural beauty standards.

This character forms with the process of myelination, which shapes our body and our mind.

Please note in the image below the region associated with the rigid character structure, marked in green. This is the sacral region, at the base of the spine, from where the nerves extend to the genital areas. That brings sensitivity to that area and stimulating the release of new hormones in the child’s body.

The period of development of this character structure occurs between the ages of 3 and a half to 5 years. It is the phase of awakening of sexual energy. The beginning of sexuality, of course, is not like what we experience in adulthood. It is a different energy that the child did not feel before. In this phase, the child starts to touch their intimate parts and realizes that there is something new there.

We emphasize that this discovery has nothing to do with sexual desire. The child is developing new sensory perceptions in a region of the body that was already there.

At this moment, the child also starts to perceive that people “pair up.” My grandpa paired up with my grandma, my uncle with my aunt, the neighbor has a wife. “I also need my pair”.

A new perception of relationships

The first pair that forms in the child’s mind is with their parent of the opposite sex. Many times parents call children “my little prince” or “my little princess. They say “You mean everything to me, you are my life, I take care of you.” It’s important to note that we are talking about a pair, not a couple. The child simply perceives that there are two human beings close to each other. At this moment, they understand they should also find their own pair.

At this stage, the child also realizes that, despite being told how important they are, their father/mother still goes out to work, interacts with other people, and engages in different activities.

The child may start feeling they were not chosen. They don’t yet understand that their father and mother have many other things to do because they only perceive that people in the world live in pairs, and they need their own pair. It is from this perspective that Freud discusses the Oedipus complex. The girl forms a pair with her father and leaves the mother aside, while the boy forms a pair with his mother and leaves the father aside.

A competition arises because the child still doesn’t have the understanding that they cannot form a pair with their own parent. They gain this clarity only as they develop their social life. At this stage, they establish a connection with the opposite-sex parent, and the rigid character structure is formed.

They can also form this connection with the stories they hear about mother/father. Maybe this person died, abandoned the family or chose addictions. This child will feel betrayed or not chosen.

The core wound of the rigid character structure

At this point, we see the development of the wound of this structure, which is the feeling of being replaced, excluded. There is a fear of losing when they realize that the father or mother cannot be their partner all the time, even after saying they love them so much.

The child then begins to realize that the connection between their father and mother is stronger, and that they did not form a pair, but rather a triangle, where they are the weakest part. After all, when the child arrived, the parents were already together. Despite the “shaken” state of this couple with the arrival of the child, the tendency is for the union to continue.

So, when someone with a rigid character structure feels that they have lost something, it is the sensation of “whom or what did you replace me with?”. This triangular perception makes any loss feel like a betrayal, even if the third part of the triangle is an object or a hobby of the other person.

This makes the person with a rigid character structure ponder on what they need to improve or refine within themselves in order to win and be first place next time. It is important for them to know what or who they were replaced with, to understand “what does the other person have that I don’t.

From now on, the entire nervous network, all the synapses in the body of this developing person will control them in a way that they strive for self-improvement to attract more attention. This person has a new asset, a region of the body that has acquired a new sensitivity, which will shape them to protect themselves from the pain of not being chosen, the pain of betrayal.

The resource of the rigid character structure

The child thinks, “How do I survive in a world where pairs exist, and sometimes I’m left out when trying to form a pair? I need to change something!

And the change occurs, both in the body and in the mind.

This child is stimulated by sexual hormones, which will guide the growth of both women and men. Thus, the rigid character structure develops a body with greater attractiveness, with sex appeal, as this helps overcome the triangulations of life.

Since the pain of the rigid lies in being replaced, this fear is very strong within them. Thus, they understand that they cannot rely on a single option because if they have only one option and the other part doesn’t choose them, they will be left empty-handed.

If in the triangulation with father and mother, the rigid was the weak point, now, with two options, they have strength in the relationship. This will create a tendency to triangulate in various aspects of life, concealing the fear of being replaced. The person has a moderate level of emotional dependence.

Individuals with a predominant rigid character structure are more capable of separating love from sex, allowing them to desire a partner in each area (but this does not mean that all rigids will cheat or feel this need!).

Their body develops in a way to have height, shape, and harmony to compete and win. For the this person, second place is a real shame; they always want to be in first and be the chosen one.

Let’s now explore how this character structure manifests in both the body and the mind.

Physical characteristics of the rigid character

Let’s now talk about the visible aspect of the rigid body, knowing that the mind influences the formation and shapes of this body.

If the goal of the person with a rigid defense is to be as perfect as possible to avoid losing, to prevent betrayal, and to win, their body manifests this in various ways. It is possible to observe, for example, an hourglass figure in their silhouette and well-defined musculature throughout the body.

The body of this person expresses itself more, showcasing its purpose, as they have a conscious intention to display their body to win. As a result, they naturally highlight their beauty, stature, and sex appeal.

The rigid character structure has a notable sex appeal. It’s the case of someone who comes to ask you for a glass of water, for example, but it seems like they will enchant you, seduce you, or even make an invitation.

Thus, in their interactions with women who have a predominant rigid character structure, it is very common for men to mistake their friendliness for a more open or sexual invitation. This confusion arises because the rigid person infuses everything they do with a noticeable sexual energy and body language.

The rigid individual treats people with such automatic courtesy that they end up seducing without even realizing it. This is just the way they have found to exist and express themselves in this world. Due to their natural seductiveness, rigid people have a distinct shine that captivates others.

Head

When analyzing the individual parts of the body, we can observe that the head of a person with the rigid character structure is very proportional.

Eyes

The eyes connect intensely with others, seducing them with a tone of “you have no idea what I can offer you.” Their shape has a captivating connection for seduction.

Mouth

They have a charming smile with slightly full lips. Their teeth are straight and perfect, both in the curve of the smile and in the proportion between the upper and lower teeth. It is a mouth that arouses the desire to be kissed or admired, as it appears very beautiful.

If we observe closely, all efforts related to beauty and aesthetics aim to achieve the physical characteristics of a person with the rigid character structure.

The makeup that women often apply to their eyes tends to highlight these contours, enhance their sex appeal, and create a captivating gaze. The orthodontic appliances that many people use today aim to emphasize a well-aligned smile. People also wear lipsticks to bring attention, sensuality, and vibrancy to the mouth.

Torso

Moving down to the torso, the rigid individual tends to have a more defined waist, with an hourglass curve as mentioned earlier. While it is true that women typically have narrower waists, men also present the hourglass shape in their torsos.

The muscular tone is much more present and evident in rigid people. Their muscular structure arouses the desire to admire, analyze, and touch. It is a sculpted musculature where the curves of the biceps, triceps, chest, and abdomen are highlighted. The same applies to the back muscles, which are well defined and well-shaped.

Hips

Looking at the hips, we once again find distinct and harmonious curves, especially with round, lifted, and firm buttocks.

Legs

In the legs of this person, we can observe proportionality and well-defined muscle structure, even if the person does not engage in regular exercise or sports. We also see knees with symmetrical spacing. The legs express a sense of movement, energy, strength, and power more prominently than other body parts, exuding a sense of explosiveness to run and “make things happen.”

Now let’s understand how the rigid functions in terms of pain and resources.

The rigid character defense in pain

When a rigid realizes they are in a triangular situation and have been or will be replaced, they experience pain. In this regard, the person becomes very questioning and perfectionistic, often becoming stuck when they do not feel the pleasure of being the best. They constantly improve themselves to please either themselves or someone they desire to win over in some way.

Even though this person has a well-defined body, they often struggle with their own self-image. Despite being physically attractive, they suffer from feeling that they are not as beautiful as they should be.

This person competes without knowing who their competition is, trying to please without knowing whom they are pleasing. Their focus is on not losing the next time. In the context of existential triangulation, it’s important to note that if you give an option to the rigid person and they don’t have another possibility, they will create a second option themselves.

For example, you may hire a rigid person to perform a service. They perceive you as an option for them, but they will continue to search for another option because they feel the need to establish a “strong triangle.”

The thought is “I’m working at this company, but if I fail, who will take my place?” That’s why rigids may also seek out other options among those they interact with, to determine if they are “better” or “worse.” When in pain, this person may experience financial difficulties because they often feel inadequate and miss out on opportunities or fail to make desired career transitions out of fear of not being perfect enough in their work or projects. They may also immerse themselves in work with such intensity that they risk experiencing burnout syndrome.

The competition can reflect on the body

They try to control everything so that they remain in the most favorable position. This need consumes all of their life energy. It is impossible to control everything, all variables, and especially all people; but the rigid individual would love to control even things as grand as time, or something that isn’t even posing a threat in reality. If they can’t defeat or eliminate the “adversary,” they needs to control it.

At this point, there is a never-ending expenditure of energy on self-improvement and harsh self-criticism because the rigid person believes they are not good enough. The triangulation, which was once a balance, starts to become a confusion. When experiencing pain, even with control, they cannot find happiness or convey tranquility, and anxiety and imposter syndrome become prominent.

The excessive strain takes a toll on the physical body of rigids. They may experience constant pain in areas such as the neck or lower back. This person may develop fibromyalgia as a result of the energy spent on dividing themselves, running from one place to another, fighting, and trying to control invisible adversaries. The tremendous mental effort can exhaust their body.

The rigid character and their gifts

While the pain of the rigid character structure lies in existential triangulation, its resource is tremendous proactivity and agility. Nobody needs to request or order anything for them to carry out a task. They already hold themselves accountable to be the best and do what is necessary in that regard.

Rigids actively they seek attention because they love shining. When operating from their resource, they can combine proactivity, energy, agility, and competitiveness to shine brightly. This ability to shine can captivate, seduce, and win over the people around them.

In the business world, rigid people are often extremely persuasive and well-connected. This is because they “shine” and attract people, bridge gaps, and convince others. When it comes to taking action, they are particularly effective and proactive.

In the resource, triangulation becomes the solution for people with the rigid coping mechanism. They are able to organize themselves and allocate their energy between personal and professional life as needed. However, in pain, they struggle to do so with ease. Their mind may be in one place while they are physically present in another. It’s difficult to fully focus and be present in either aspect of their life.

What to expect and what not to expect

We can expect strength, consistency, and perseverance from a person with rigid pattern. They actively strive to conquer and achieve success in their endeavors. Their pleasure lies in conquest, and once they achieve their goal, they seek new plans and objectives.

The rigid individual often possesses immense drive and willingness to take action continuously, as they are true “doers”. They believe that being idle means losing time and opportunities. They are energetic and full of vitality. The rigid individual also relies heavily on their physical structure as a resource.

The rigid individual often exudes an aura of completeness, capability, and control. However, particularly when they are experiencing pain, one can detect a significant amount of insecurity in them. This is because they are constantly fighting jealousy and the fear of losing, believing that they will indeed lose. This person may struggle with overcoming their jealousy and finding ways to alleviate it.

Do not expect vulnerability, surrender, exclusive focus, or quick decision-making from rigid individuals. They are always divided between two or more options.

If you try to help a rigid person, they would need to open up to you, show their vulnerabilities, and reveal their weaknesses. However, for this character structure, exposing their weaknesses triggers thoughts like, “If I show you my flaws, what will I do when I need to compete with you?”

Indeed, in their mindset, a rigid individual may anticipate having to compete even with those who assist them!

To positively stimulate a rigid person, you should demonstrate that they can trust and feel secure with you. Assure them that your side of the triangle is stable. This can help them spend more time in resourcefulness rather than in pain!

Next steps

Did you see yourself in this character structure? You can also read about the oral, psychopathic, masochist, and rigid character structures.

We are a mix of five character structures with different intensities. Brazilian researchers created a method to measure the percentage of each structure in individuals. After finding out your combination, you will understand what problems you’ve been facing and how to solve them. You will receive clear instructions on how to manage and soften your character structures to make better decisions.

You will learn how to use your gifts to build a happier and healthier life. Schedule your free discovery session now.