Posted by wolfgirl on April 05, 1998 at 16:29:49:
In Reply to: Help me to help 4's 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
Call it a hunch, but I strongly suspect that 4's are often also HSP's. Take a look at Dr. Elaine Aron's book _The Highly Sensitive Person_. Also, see her newsletter because she works with medical doctors who explain this phenomenon you are describing.
Twenty percent of the population are born Highly Sensitive. When we do not take care of ourselves we seem to go to doctors more than any other group (
the doctors notice this). We also have a lower pain threashold. But when we DO take care of ourselves we are the HEAlTHIEST people on earth.
Western society is not kind to HSP's. Before I understood all this, I (a 4w5 and HSP) was sick all the time and had chronic back pain. After I started treating myself right, despite what society said, I became one of the healthiest energetic people I know. I almost never get sick and have not suffered from back pain in years.
wolfgirl.