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 and 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.

When Nines are stressed, they may demonstrate some of the qualities (thoughts, feelings and behaviors) of type six. When Sixes are stressed, they can demonstrate some Three traits, and when Threes are stressed, they may demonstrate thoughts and behaviors similar to those of Nines. Likewise, in the hexad which includes all the other numbers in the Enneagram, Ones who are stressed move to type 4 ( as in to display some type 4 qualities); and 4 move to 2, 2 to 8, 8 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 1. (following the direction of the arrows)