Each type's downward spiral
Each Enneagram type has a relatively predictable and repetitive downward spiral.
It all starts when a type starts giving in to their fear. The fear creates overcompensating thoughts, and those thoughts shape their attitude. The attitude drives maladaptive behaviors that elicit negative responses from others... and so continues the negative reinforcing loop.
Here's a look at how each type devolves, and later, what you can do about it!
Eights
In high health, Eights are able to let go of their fear that others are trying to harm or control them, and in doing so become compassionate and empowering humans. Under stress, their fear of being controlled starts a cascade, ending in people being like "damn we should probably try to get that person under control."
1. Fear
Of being shivved out of nowhere
2. Thought
Over my dead body (and probably yours)
3. Attitude
Brings gladiator vibes to the neighborhood picnic
4. Behavior
Drops truth bombs while slamming appetizers
5. Feedback
People think I’m “too much” and try to Captain Clipboard me into compliance
6. Reinforcement
YOU WANT TO SEE TOO MUCH?
(Return to #1)
Nines
In high health, Nines transcend their fear of loss and separation by becoming confident and self-possessed, realizing the self is always there for them. Under stress, their fear of separation brings about a too-relaxed attitude that creates, yep... separation.
1. Fear
Vanishing into the ether without anyone caring
2. Thought
Keep calm, smile, and avoid starting fistfights
3. Attitude
I’m so chill I’m practically a frozen margarita
4. Behavior
Problems? What problems? I don’t see any.
5. Feedback
Others try to push on me with their “urgency”
6. Reinforcement
*Puts on noise-cancelling headphones*
(Return to #1)
Ones
In high health, Ones transcend their fear of wrongdoing, fully accepting themselves and the world, recognizing there is more than one admirable way to live. Under stress, their fear of being bad makes them try extra hard to not be bad, which brings out their criticism and control, which makes them (gasp!) not particularly good!
1. Fear
Of being a kinda subpar human
2. Thought
Mistakes are little devils on earth
3. Attitude
Metal detector set to: mistakes, inaccuracies, suboptimal performances
4. Behavior
Offers others free (mandatory) advice!
5. Feedback
Others decline improving
6. Reinforcement
Time to activate “flawless mode”
(Return to #1)
Twos
In high health, Twos release their fear of being unlovable, giving themselves full permission to take care of their own needs, and become joyful and radiant. Under stress, their fear of being unlovable makes them push for love to the degree that people might think to themselves "space please."
1. Fear
Not being my people’s #1 homie
2. Thought
Love shall be unlocked like a bonus level
3. Attitude
Gotta get that bread and by bread I mean love
4. Behavior
Gently offer help :) ...no, srsly. Take it.
5. Feedback
Others create a *rude* wedge
6. Reinforcement
I gotta go full nurture ninja
(Return to #1)
Threes
In high health, Threes free themselves from the belief that their worth comes from others’ affirmations, letting them feel valuable on their own terms. Under stress, their fear of being without value makes them achieve so much that others are like “I gotta knock this guy down a peg.”
1. Fear
If I’m not crushing it… do I even exist?
2. Thought
Failure is death.
3. Attitude
Optimize charisma. Deploy strategically.
4. Behavior
Grind like my soul depends on it (because it does)
5. Feedback
People start side-eying the hustle
6. Reinforcement
Time to triple my output
(Return to #1)
Fours
In high health, Fours overcome their self-consciousness and open themselves up to life, allowing access to inner hidden depths with all its potential for inspiration. Under stress, their fear of being without identity leads them into an introspective loop.
1. Fear
Being just another carbon-based life form
2. Thought
Who TF am I?
3. Attitude
Hyper-aware of every fleeting nuance of existence
4. Behavior
Mood-swinging into the abyss
5. Feedback
People are like “???”
6. Reinforcement
Make being different my beacon
(Return to #1)
Fives
In high health, Fives transcend the belief that they are separate from reality, and in doing so, they are able to perceive it with striking clarity. Under stress, their fear of being incapable makes them retreat so far into their minds that they come out on the other side of the solar system.
1. Fear
Having no idea what I’m doing
2. Thought
I need more time, info, and caffeine
3. Attitude
Any unexpected interruption is an act of war
4. Behavior
Muting life to go deep into obscure internet threads
5. Feedback
People either barge in or peace out
6. Reinforcement
Further isolate by upgrading from basement to bunker
(Return to #1)
Sixes
In high health, Sixes come to rely on themselves for support, granting them the courage to trust and protect themselves and others. Under stress, their fear of being unsupported makes them test loyalties until people are like "plz just leave me alone."
1. Fear
Being left hanging
2. Thought
I must check-in with every life-form available
3. Attitude
But what if everybody is full of sh*t?
4. Behavior
Giving half-trust and some testy tests
5. Feedback
People weirded out by my weirdness even though I was being weird just to see if they’d be weird
6. Reinforcement
Yep, knew I couldn’t count on them
(Return to #1)
Sevens
In high health, Sevens let go of the idea that they need external stimulation to be fulfilled, possessing faith in the inherent goodness of life and nourished by every moment. Under stress, their fear of being trapped in pain leads them into erratic chaos monkey behaviors.
1. Fear
The possibility of emotional quicksand
2. Thought
How about a trip, a hobby, or a pastry...
3. Attitude
What’s next? And after that? And also now?
4. Behavior
DO ALL THE THINGS!!!!
5. Feedback
People are lame and opt out
6. Reinforcement
Declares everyone dull, then hits the gas
(Return to #1)
How to break free
One of the best ways to break the negative reinforcing loop is to practice not succumbing to our fears as they arise in the moment — catching and mitigating them before they start driving the cycle.
If you're interested in learning about how to break out of your downward spiral, check out our Enneagram Type Field Guides, which get deep into the psyche of each type.
Onward and upward!
