The Enneagram Article: “The Enneagram: A Primer for Psychiatry Residents”

The Enneagram is a personality theory that describes nine strategies through which the psyche develops a worldview and relates to self and others. Each of the nine "types" possesses a basic fear, desire, and predictable pattern in times of stress and security—all of which shape motivations underlying behaviour . Psychiatrists have been utilizing the Enneagram since the 1970s. In this article, the authors provide a summary of the Enneagram theory, review its history, and examine literature validating its use. Additionally, they suggest various applications in psychiatry, including diagnosis and psychotherapy.