Stress happens when demands and pressure are put on us either based on our own sense of duty or by duress from others like colleagues and bosses, family & friends. Our freedom is threatened and tension ensues. Let’s start with the Stress Points between Types 9,6 & 3. Since we haven’t gone into understanding what each Type number means, perhaps at this point, you should just take note of the movements. These Stress points are sometimes called Points of Disintegration. It must be mentioned though, that stress can also bring out the best in us so it may not mean that these Stress points are always bad since some people function best under stress.

When 9s are stressed, they may demonstrate some of the qualities (thoughts, feelings and behaviors) of the type 6. When the 6s are stressed, they will demonstrate those of the 3 and when the 3s are stressed, they may demonstrate thoughts and behaviors similar to those of the 9s. Likewise, in the Hexad which include all the other numbers in the Enneagram, 1s who are stressed move to 4 ( as in display some T4 qualities), the 4s move to 2, the 2 to 8, 8 to 5, 5 to 7 and the 7 to 1. (Following the direction of the arrows)