What is Enneagram 6?
The Enneagram is growing in popularity lately. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a personality assessment that helps you understand how you manage your emotions and view the world. There are nine personality types that could be your primary type. You will probably resonate a bit with all of them, but you will have a primary type and then also a wing that better describes your type.
I remember taking it many years ago in an undergrad psychology course and feeling the result was fairly spot-on. I took the test recently again and got the same result.
You can take a free quiz here.
Is Enneagram 6 correlated with OCD?
I was curious to see if certain anxiety disorders, such as OCD, were correlated with a certain type. Sixes tend to be very anxious — I also happen to be a six. The Enneagram Institute describes sixes as ” The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious.” Our basic fear is not having support and guidance, which can lead to worrying about the future (aka anxiety).
It seems to make sense that sixes would want to find a way to find a way to reassure themselves and feel more secure — which is exactly what OCD is all about.
But is Type 1 more likely to be correlated?
While digging into it, I noticed some people were noting that the Enneagram Institute correlated OCD with Type 1. However, that is not the case — they correlate an unhealthy Type 1 with OCPD (the personality disorder)— which as we’ve noted before, is very different. I also found an OCD-centered podcast called Sooo OCD where the host who has OCD notes she believes she is a Type 1.
I can understand why there is this impression because Type 1’s are described as “Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic.” Their fear is about being defective or corrupt. They want to feel they have integrity and are good. I definitely see more of a correlation with OCPD in this type of definition.
Ultimately, OCD is centered around an inability to cope with uncertainty. I think any type can have OCD, and I have not read anything too convincing that there is a higher chance for one type to have OCD.
Is the Enneagram even helpful in understanding anxiety?
I think the Enneagram is one way you might come to better understand your personality. However, I don’t find it to be fairly helpful for me in terms of treating my anxiety. Being a Type Six means I’m always desiring security, but I already knew that. More helpful for treating my anxiety and OCD was not necessarily understanding my personality, but understanding the patterns of thought and cycles I was getting stuck in.
While the Enneagram might be somewhat helpful in understanding yourself — I don’t think it’s necessary in understanding or treating your OCD.
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