Enneagram Type 4: The Individualist (Overview)

General Characteristics

Type 4 people are unique and value a desire to be different and special compared to norms.

They search for meaning and strive for deep significance.

They are also in search of their own identity and strive to be different from others, unable to tolerate ordinariness.

Although they are sometimes outwardly oriented, they also enjoy solitude and spend a great deal of time in their emotional worlds.

They are romantic types who value meaning and aesthetics.

They tend to express things indirectly and artistically.

They don't make a special effort to appear mysterious, but their desire to be different may give the impression of such an effort.

They may often engage in introspective behavior to analyze their feelings. They are sincere and honest in expressing their feelings and usually articulate them well.

Proud, sensitive, and passionate individuals, they may exhibit extremes of attachment or detachment to what they care about.

They are prone to melancholy and can become detached from life when they experience long periods of melancholy.

They are sensitive, thoughtful, intuitive, and empathetic individuals.

Strengths

Gentle and sensitive

Original and aesthetic

Sensitive and empathetic

Idealistic and passionate

Sensitive, deep and sincere

Weaknesses

Depressed and melancholic

Exaggerated and withdrawn

Pessimistic and overly sensitive

Harsh self-criticism

Dramatizing and personalizing everything