Posted by Dave on February 13, 1998 at 19:54:54:
I'm a Chiropractor by profession, and since learning the enneagram I've tried to use it as a tool to help my patients. I've noticed that quite a few of my chronic pain and illness patients seem to be of type 4. I'm having trouble getting them to progress significantly, and when that happens I always look to what's motivating them ,and what is known as "secondary gain", or what someone is getting out of not getting better and remaining in chronic pain. Physiological reasons aside, my guess is that this is a manifestation of being special and unique, applied to health and body/somatic integrity. The problem I'm having is getting them out of this negative motivation. 4's seem to be inordinately resistant to give up an identity if that identity is one of pain, suffering, etc.. While I address them as individuals, the 4 typing seems to be a common pattern. Type 2's also are common with chronic conditions with secondary gain, but with a different resistance to change. Any experience or advice???
Thanks,
Dave