The Dark Side of Each Enneagram Type

Mental health is something that affects us all in our lifetimes. While the enneagram can provide insight into our behavior, it's important to consider any potential negative effects associated with each type. Understanding the darker aspects of each enneagram type at an individual level can help us to better manage our own personal mental health, as well as that of our loved ones. In this article, we will explore some of the potential mental health issues associated with each type.

Type 1: Perfectionism

Type Ones are idealists, who strive for perfectionism in every aspect of their lives. Unfortunately, the high standards they set for themselves can be damaging to their mental health. Type Ones often have difficulty enjoying the present moment, always focusing on the future and how things could be improved or done better instead. This can lead to feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction that can manifest in their thoughts and actions. They may be prone to putting too much pressure on themselves to be the best and can suffer from loneliness when unable to live up to those exacting standards. Type Ones often put the needs of others above their own, potentially leading to resentment and a lack of self-care which can further deteriorate their mental wellbeing.

Type 2: People Pleasing

Type Twos are renowned for their generous and caring nature. While this trait can have many positive implications for their mental health, if taken to extremes, it can also be extremely detrimental. Type Twos tend to be highly people-pleasing, putting the needs of others before their own and taking on far more than they can handle. This can lead to feelings of resentment and possibly even a lack of self-worth, as they can struggle to meet the demands placed upon them. They may also be prone to anxiety and depression due to their failure to take care of themselves, either physically or mentally. By sacrificing their own needs and desires they can quickly become overwhelmed and exhausted, leading to a breakdown in their mental health.

Type 3: Overworking

Type Threes are ambitious and driven individuals, focused on pushing themselves to be successful in whatever field they find themselves. This ambition can be beneficial in many ways, but can also be a drawback to their mental health when taken too far. Type Threes can be prone to overworking and may focus solely on achieving their goals instead of ensuring that they keep their mental health in check. This can lead to burnout and fatigue, which can quickly manifest in their thoughts and emotions, leading to further decline in their mental wellbeing. They may also find it difficult to switch off, constantly striving for more and pushing themselves to reach ever-higher levels of success at the expense of their mental health.

Type 4: Emotional Extremes

Type Fours are creative and introspective, looking within themselves for emotional understanding. While this can have many benefits for their mental health, it can also lead to unhealthy tendencies. Type Fours can be prone to emotional extremes, often going to one extreme high or low, rather than managing their emotions carefully. This can make them particularly vulnerable to depression, as well as other mental illnesses, such as anxiety. When feeling low they may withdraw from others, relying solely on their own inner world and fueling their negative emotions even more. On the flipside, they may swing to the extreme of euphoria, elevating themselves quickly only to crash again soon after. This can leave them feeling unstable and even more disconnected from the world around them, which can damage their mental health in the long-term.

Type 5: Detachment

Type fives are typically independent and analytical, seeking knowledge and understanding in an attempt to disconnect from the world. While this can be beneficial in many ways, it can also be detrimental to their mental health. Type Fives may struggle to emotionally connect with others, leading to a feeling of detachment and unsuitability towards other people. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, as they may not believe they are able to engage with those around them in any meaningful way. They may also be prone to anxiety, as their minds wander the depths of understanding and become overwhelmed with the complexities of life.

Type 6: Restlessness

Type Sixes are protective and responsible, always prepared to overcome any challenge that comes their way. However, if taken too far, this can have an effect on their mental health. Type Sixes can be prone to restlessness, feeling as though they are constantly waiting for something bad to happen. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear, as they become preoccupied with the anticipation of the future and neglect to tend their own mental health. They may also become obsessive about potential threats, fighting imagined battlegrounds that exist solely in their mind and creating a sense of unease that can quickly spiral out of control.

Type 7: Indulgence

Type Sevens are seekers of pleasure, always looking for new and exciting experiences. While these traits can be enjoyable and beneficial, they can also lead to mental health issues. Type Sevens may struggle to find balance in their indulgences, constantly seeking more and more stimulation as a form of self-medication. This can often lead to reckless behavior, as they try to find solace in drugs, alcohol, or even spending sprees, and damage their mental health in the process. They may also be prone to addictive behaviors, looking for an escape from the anxieties and stress of everyday life, and quickly finding themselves dangerously reliant on these substances and activities.

Type 8: Conflict

Type Eights are courageous and confident powerhouses, always prepared to fight for what they believe is right. Unfortunately, if this is taken too far, it can quickly damage their mental health. Type Eights may struggle to bite their tongue, feeling the need to fight for every cause, and becoming embroiled in unnecessary conflict with others. This can lead to a sense of rage within them and a focus on revenge, rather than a path to resolution, damaging their relationships and putting strain on their mental wellbeing. They may also be prone to depression and anxiety as they try to take on the world alone and become overwhelmed by their own sense of justice.

Type 9: Avoidance

Type Nines are peacemakers, always trying to create harmony and resolution between opposing forces. While this can have many positive implications for their mental health, if taken too far, it can cause significant issues. Type Nines may find themselves unprepared for conflict and try to avoid confrontation in all its forms. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and stagnation, as they allow themselves to become overlooked, believing that their opinion doesn’t matter or that they don’t deserve to be heard. They may also be prone to depression and anxiety as they suppress their own needs and desires in order to preserve their sense of peace.

No matter what enneagram type you identify with it is important to ensure that you are managing your mental health appropriately. By understanding the potential darker facets of your personality type you can ensure that you maintain positive mental health, both now and in the future.