While sadness can affect any Enneagram type, Type Four (The Individualist) is often considered the "saddest" because they intensely experience melancholy, a sense of lack, and emotional depth, often feeling fundamentally different or incomplete, leading to an identity intertwined with heartache and longing for something lost. They can get stuck in their emotions, creating a cycle of suffering and romanticizing past pains, feeling they're missing something essential that others have.
If stressed 1s become emotional, 2s more angry, 3s more angry in short bursts, 4s more emotional but withdrawn, 5s more fearful, 6s tries to supress emotions more, 7s more angry, 8s more fear and 9s more fear also. These are also generalizations.
Depressed individuals often test as Type Four (the Individualist) or Type Nine (the Peacemaker) because those types are more introspective and withdrawn.
Some might say Enneagram Type Eight, the Challenger, is the hardest Enneagram type to love. At their average levels, the Challenger can be forceful and aggressive. They assert control over themselves and others. They will push even harder whenever they feel someone is trying to hold them back.
For example, Enneagram Threes, in their unhealthy mode, show many narcissistic tendencies—they are overly competitive, insecure, grandiose, and obsessed with public image.
Enneagram Type 2 – The Helper
This type tends to become more clingy the more they are rejected or ignored. They have high expectations of themselves and others, so they can be very disappointed if their efforts aren't rewarded enough.
However, Twos' inner development may be limited by their “shadow side”—pride, self-deception, the tendency to become over-involved in the lives of others, and the tendency to manipulate others to get their own emotional needs met.
Enneagram combinations less likely to get along.
For instance, one of the biggest complaints from others is that a Type 7 can seem to lack empathy because they're so quick to move away from heavy emotions. In reality, they feel things deeply but are selective about who they process with.
The rarest Enneagram types are Type 5, known as "The Investigator," and Type 8, known as "The Challenger." These two types are less common in the Enneagram system, each representing less than 7% of the surveyed population.
Type One: Avoids Negative, “Messy” Emotions
Enneagram Type Ones instinctively hide their negative emotions in an effort to behave the “right” way. This tendency can make them seem cold, aloof or blunt.
Enneagram Type 2, also known as "The Giver," is often viewed as one of the nicest types due to their caring and empathetic nature. They are driven by a desire to be likable and may instinctively put the needs of others before their own.
Enneagram 7s feel drained at work when...
They are stuck or bored in their position.
Sixes are the primary type in the Thinking Center, meaning that they have the most trouble contacting their own inner guidance. As a result, they do not have confidence in their own minds and judgments. This does not mean that they do not think. On the contrary, they think—and worry—a lot!
Fours typically have problems with a negative self-image and chronically low self-esteem. They attempt to compensate for this by cultivating a Fantasy Self—an idealized self-image which is built up primarily in their imaginations.
Twos are the most naturally codependent of all Enneagram types because they tend to see many codependent behaviors as a virtue, Twos believe it's their calling in life to help those in need, and they feel like love should have no limits, which presents the danger of developing a savior complex for more egocentric Twos.
While Nines will go out of their way to accommodate others and downplay their own needs, setting themselves up to be overlooked, Nines dislike being ignored. Many Enneagram Nines are unaware of their own passive aggressive behaviour patterns and how these affect others around them.
According to the Enneagram theory, type 2's essential quality is unconditional love [19]. These individuals search for intimate relationships, and they are caring and loving. They are empathetic and compassionate when they are present [19].
Enneagram 8 - Active Controller Description. Enneagram Eights have a motivational need to be strong and avoid showing vulnerability. They value having a sense of control and being direct and impactful.
Enneagram Type Nine in Brief
They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting.
Probably type 9 as their core fear is commonly seen as fear of separation and loss.
8's, 9's, and 1's can be vengeful. 4's and 5's can't sustain the energy or the fixation revenge requires, we're more likely to resolve the anger internally and move on. In other words, we can't be bothered.
According to the Enneagram tradition, the core vice of the Enneagram Type 5 (5w4 / 5w6) and by association—the INTJ and INTP personality types—is avarice or greed.
We look to the Enneagram's main centers – the Gut center, the Heart center and the Head center – for answers. Guilt emanates from the Gut center – Types 8, 9 and 1. Shame dominates the Heart center – Types 2, 3, and 4. And anxiety famously affects the Head types –Types 5, 6 and 7.