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How Different Enneagram Types Act In Stress

No one gets through life devoid of stress, and it can, occasionally, become downright overwhelming. Analyzing the coping mechanisms of different Enneagram types in stress can support you through these times. While specific stress indicators may trigger enormous responses in certain individuals, the same situations could insignificantly impact others and even result in problem-solving behavior.

Additionally, Enneagram types in stress may disintegrate into the associated type of their stress line on the Enneagram chart. When using wings, the growth line of your dominant wing can lead you toward finding a solution for your challenging situation. In relationships, knowing how each Enneagram type deals with stress might help you guide your significant other through times of personal crisis.

Stretch Points and Release Points

The following guide will cover common stress responses of each Enneagram type to help you figure out if it’s time to take a break or challenge yourself.

Enneagram Type 1 in Stress

The primary behavior of Enneagram 1 under stress is to withdraw and focus on the task at hand.

Personality (The Perfectionist)

Enneagram Ones are naturally grounded and practical, though they are not great at delegating tasks.

Stress Triggers

Some factors that may cause Enneagram Ones stress include when they (or others) make mistakes or when others are not living up to their expectations. While they tend not to share responsibilities, apathetic or unreliable people frustrate them.

Reaction to Stress

Enneagram Ones in stress are moody and withdrawn, though they rarely procrastinate. In fact, their stress transforms into energy and the desire to solve issues related to the problem. They may become irritated, though they keep their anger suppressed.

In Extreme Stress

Enneagram One may move towards Type Four when there’s an extremely stressful situation. They can lash out, be egoistic, discard their by-the-book instincts, lose confidence, and eat unhealthily.

Stress Management

The most efficient stress coping methods for Ones are sharing their workload, exercising, tidying up their environment, taking some alone time, and cutting themselves some slack. Sometimes, receiving acknowledgment from others may help, as well as having an outburst or taking a moment to laugh a little.

Enneagram Type 2 in Stress

Normally gregarious, Enneagram Twos under stress may become lethargic and less productive.

Personality (The Helper)

Kind-hearted, gentle, and empathetic, Enneagram Twos thrive on their humanitarian conduct being acknowledged and appreciated. Lacking this could easily cause them stress.

Stress Triggers

Stress patterns may emerge when Twos take on too much work, have too much alone time, or feel unappreciated or not needed. Also, feeling left out or if their kindness is unrequited and declined are other things that may cause them stress.

Reaction to Stress

Enneagram Two under stress may pick up some unhealthy traits of Type Eight. They may procrastinate on tasks and succumb to lassitude.

In Extreme Stress

They become outspoken, antagonistic, argumentative, and even controlling when facing extreme strain.

Stress Management

Twos need to take some recharge time, talk to friends, listen to music, exercise, and assess their actual needs. It also helps when others acknowledge their efforts, encourage them or allow them to vent.

Enneagram Type 3 in Stress

Slight changes occur within the ambitious Enneagram Threes under stress—if the concern is relatively minor—however, they may be hard on themselves over their perceived incompetence.

Personality (The Achiever)

Threes are focused and hardworking, and they strive to rise above mediocrity.

Stress Triggers

Threes become quite stressed when they feel worthless, incompetent, and unenviable. Moreover, when they have nothing to strive for, their progress is too slow, or they notice a lack of drive in the people they work with, they become mentally strained.

Reaction to Stress

Despite the pressure they place on themselves, there’s an increase in energy and productivity levels observed in Threes.

In Extreme Stress

Under extreme stress, Threes pick up some of the traits and unhealthy habits of Enneagram Nines. They can become over-sensitive, start daydreaming about potential success, feel apathetic, and completely turn their back on the issues at hand.

Stress Management

Hobbies may help reduce stress. Also, Threes need to become self-aware, allowing themselves to be vulnerable while avoiding critical people. They should acknowledge their successes and reshuffle their environment. Sharing their troubles with friends, exercising, and categorizing tasks may also help. Also, turning down invitations, meditating, listening to music, or drawing may calm Threes who are under stress.

Enneagram Type 4 in Stress

Normally pensive, it may be difficult to identify changes in Enneagram Type Four when they are under stress.

Personality (The Individualist)

Fours are usually novel and imaginative and may often appear contemplative.

Stress Triggers

Not attaining their artistic or innovative goals may bring the romantic Enneagram Four down and cause them tons of stress. They do not enjoy feigning contentment, feeling creatively stifled, or being disregarded. Going along with the crowd or being misjudged is another way to put mental pressure on Fours. They may rebel against control, and absolutely hate rules and societal expectations.

Reaction to Stress

When under stress, they may want to isolate themselves and brood, and it may appear as if a cloud is hanging over their heads. Fours will also feel pessimistic and lethargic, lacking productivity.

In Extreme Stress

In extremely stressful situations, Fours pick up the unhealthy characteristics of Enneagram Type Twos. They become more expressive and start looking for other people’s validation. This is due to their deep-seated fear of abandonment.

Stress Management

Fours will feel relief when expressing their feelings, listening to music, or exercising. They need to focus on the positive aspects of life and all the good things around them while maintaining tranquility in their home. This could help them feel valuable despite their singularity. Another suggestion we can give to Fours is to make a plan and take practical steps.

Enneagram Type 5 in Stress

The usually analytical Enneagram Fives under stress can find themselves over-analyzing.

Personality (The Investigator)

The Enneagram Five continuously strives for something beyond knowledge and expertise and for strength in themselves.

Stress Triggers

When they have very little alone time or feel as if their space is being invaded—either vocally or physically, Enneagram Fives can become very stressed. Not being able to maintain their physical strength or nutritional well-being places can also cause distress in Fives. If left in a situation that makes them feel incapable or powerless, or if rejected, they often start questioning their existence, leading to a mental breakdown.

Reaction to Stress

When stressed, Enneagram 5 tends to over-analyze or withdraw into their primary field of interest, disengaging from reality.

In Extreme Stress

In extremely stressful situations, Fives can adopt some of the traits of Sevens. They become preoccupied, reclusive, aggressive, and insensitive.

Stress Management

For Fives, some ways of coping with stress include sleeping, working on alternative tasks, taking personal time-out, engaging in physical hobbies and exercises, or meditating. They might want to remind themselves of all the great things they accomplished and the skills and abilities that led them this far.

Enneagram Type 6 in Stress

The naturally hard-working Enneagram Type Six becomes pessimistic and less active when under stress.

Personality (The Loyalist)

Enneagram Sixes are characterized by their responsible nature, hard-working ethic, and undying loyalty.

Stress Triggers

What triggers stress in Sixes is their immense dislike of others deciding on their behalf. They may feel uneasy when faced with unstructured surroundings and information because it might make them feel uncertain in their problem-solving skills. Unreliability or insipidity in peers and co-workers, corruption, and a lack of societal backing or security may cause Sixes anxiety and stress. They also get frustrated when making mistakes or overextending themselves, as well as when feeling over-dramatic or sensing that they cannot trust friends and loved ones.

Reaction to Stress

Their immediate reaction to stress is an obvious decrease in energy and productivity levels. They can also become fatalistic and quite cynical.

In Extreme Stress

In extremely stressful events or environments, Sixes adopt the unhealthy traits of Enneagram Threes. They become over-sensitive, develop a fear of failure, and mask their low self-esteem. They will also become distracted and start daydreaming instead of focusing on the problem.

Stress Management

Sixes need a good nap, some alone time, music, meditation, or exercise to get rid of stress. Identifying the stress trigger, being aware of their physical needs, and heeding their inner voice or seeking guidance may also help.

Enneagram Type 7 in Stress

When Enneagram Type Seven is stressed, they immerse themselves in exciting distractions and become quite social.

Personality (The Enthusiast)

By nature, Enneagram 7 is eager, pioneering, and optimistic.

Stress Triggers

Sevens dislike being controlled or overseen, and feeling a lack of independence is a sure way to make them feel stressed. Financial difficulties, monotony, and feeling imprisoned within themselves and in their environment may also cause them stress, as well as working with minutiae or in too much depth.

Reaction to Stress

When dealing with stress, Sevens become impulsive, overindulgent, and social. They start seeking distractions and look for engaging activities that will pull them away from the problematic situation at hand. They just look for ways to break the rules.

In Extreme Stress

When there’s an extremely stressful situation, Sevens disintegrate into Enneagram Ones. They blame other people, lash out, and become quite argumentative.

When Enneagram 7 stress mounts, they may disintegrate into 1, start increasing their workload, find fault in others, lash out, and become argumentative and critical.

Stress Management

Working out is probably the best thing Sevens can do when stressed. Distractions like listening to music, doing physical activities, venting, and having a great meal may help them feel calm. Participating in serene activities and noticing their emotions could also help them find solutions.

Enneagram Type 8 in Stress

The charismatic Enneagram Eight can become unusually confrontational when there’s a stressful situation at hand.

Personality (The Challenger)

Eights are strong-willed, independent, resolute, and naturally charming.

Stress Triggers

Similarly to Enneagram Sevens, Eights hate being controlled or overseen. Any violation of their independence can result in Eights becoming rebellious.

Eights with no personal goals or no results from their hard work will start feeling incompetent and consequently stressed. Having to downplay situations, dealing with dishonesty, or pacifying insipid people are also triggers for Type Eights.

Reaction to Stress

Enneagram Eight, under stress, may become confrontational, increase their workload, and try to appear in control of the situation. They become more organized and more active during stress. Moreover, their fairly low emotional IQ makes them less likely to connect the negative emotions and moods they experience to stress.

In Extreme Stress

When the stress overtakes the Eights, they pick up some of the unhealthy traits of Fives. They start feeling isolated and disjointed, even neglecting personal care. They become secretive and detached.

Stress Management

To regain control after stressful situations, Eights must find a reason to trust people again. To do so, it’s important they remember to be kind and honest with themselves and others. Exercising, meditating, and taking time out are other ways they may deal with stress. It’s also wise for Eights to remind themselves of their accomplishments and goals reached.

Enneagram Type 9 in Stress

Enneagram Type Nine may feel the need to withdraw and repress their normally trusting personality when they feel stressed.

Personality (Mediator)

Enneagram Nines are introspective, creative, and analytical.

Stress Triggers

Feeling railroaded, overlooked, or obliged makes Nines feel anxious and stressed. Moreover, social demands and commitments bring further stress to the table. Holding back grievances may exacerbate their tension. Since they don’t adapt well to change, breakups can prove particularly stressful.

Reaction to Stress

Enneagram Nine, under stress, will likely avoid conflicts while restraining their annoyances. Having a decrease in energy, they may feel beaten down and need to withdraw.

In Extreme Stress

When there’s an extremely stressful time in their lives, Nines may disintegrate into Sixes. They become agitated, defeatist, and suspicious while passing the blame onto others.

Stress Management

Categorizing tasks may help, as well as recognizing every minor achievement. It may be wise for them to create internal and external harmony, keep a diary and find enough alone time. They may need to vent and even cry with a friend. Intense exercises are not recommended, but Nines can go for some good stretching. It might be wise to decline new invitations or requests to alleviate stress further.

Conclusion

Since the 1979s, psychologists have profiled nine distinct personalities using Enneagram typing. This incorporates these personalities’ fears, desires, stress responses, and behavior during times of certainty and security. Mental health and stress are directly related to one’s physical health. Therefore, it’s essential for each Enneagram type to recognize stress triggers and understand how to cope with them.

Enneagram types in stress may adopt the more taxing aspects of their associated disintegration Enneagram type. In this article, using the analysis of Enneagram types in stress, we covered triggers, associated emotions, reactions, and stress management. We hope this information will help you regain control of your life.