More Than Just Melancholy: Type 4 Subtypes
I’m fortunate to have taken a training on Instincts & Subtypes with Peter O’Hanrahan. He shared theories on how we develop a dominant instinct for either Self-preservation, Social belonging, or One-on-one relating. Said theories exceed the scope of this post, but Peter used a poignant metaphor I’d like to adopt—a 3 legged stool. He spoke of one’s dominant instinct as a “short leg” that throws the stool off balance. The key is to balance the stool by evening out these 3 legs—but how?
The first step is to know your Subtype, a.k.a your dominant instinct, so you can "check" the tendency to invest more energy in that instinctual arena. If you don't do this, you're pretty much sunk as far as working with these instincts (at least from my somewhat opinionated point of view).
Once you've learned to “check” the instinct you rely on most heavily/automatically, some energy starts getting “freed up.” Now you can redistribute that energy towards the other two instincts. I like to think of this as juicing up the secondary and tertiary instincts by “using them on purpose” - making conscious efforts to go forth and relate to the world through them.
With this in mind, let’s explore the subtype energies as they manifest for Enneagram Type 4s:
If you are an Enneagram 4, it can benefit you to understand how your authenticity, expressiveness, deep feeling, empathy, low self-image, sensitivity, push-pull patterns, and literally ALL components of your type structure get channeled primarily through a particular instinctual drive!
Where are your self-expression and focus on suffering “aimed?”
Are they aimed at proving your metal by silently bearing pain, easing others’ suffering rather than your own, and pushing yourself to get the far-off things that promise fulfillment? (Perhaps even sporadically sabotaging your own efforts?)
Are they aimed at believing your own outsider-ness, wishing that you belonged, and trying to earn a place in the group by urging others towards self-authenticity? (Or perhaps putting distance between yourself and the group by criticizing their lack of genuineness?)
Or are they aimed at competing for the attention of exceptional individuals, striving to become exceptional yourself, and acting out against others who reject you or lay claim on the things/people you desire?
These are three very different ways of “living out” the Type 4 passion of Envy. Your Subtype not only affects how others perceive/experience your “Four-ness,” but also the kind of self-work that will be most effective for you (and your specific expression of the type). Let’s dive a bit deeper:
Self-Preservation 4: Dauntless/Reckless
The name of this Subtype speaks volumes. These 4s are dauntless (and sometimes reckless) in pursuing personal identity and a meaningful life. They have serious endurance—for struggle, for pain, for relentless striving and hard work. In fact, SP 4s often have such a high pain tolerance, they don’t identify with classic Type 4 buzzwords like melancholy, shame, sorrow, and suffering. Painful feelings are held in check as a (subconscious) point of pride. Differences between self and others may not be actively experienced as personal lack, “something missing,” or others having it better. Said differences may be cast within a framework of "striving for a higher plane," or “living up to the originality and authenticity of their personal role models." But the tendency to compare self and others is still subtly written into this framework. I like to call this Subtype the “subsurface” 4. It’s like their envy and emotionality was tossed into a swimming pool, and is broadcasting from underwater. They live from the heart while trying to hide it.
Social 4: Shame/Honor
These are the dark/brooding “wet-eyed 4s,” on which most Type 4 stereotypes are based. Suffering is close to the surface, worn on the sleeve. They may “lean into” melancholy, considering it a rich territory to be explored. Social 4s (unconsciously) desire to be seen in their suffering, as a way to draw others in. There’s often a fierce, determined belief in their own internal lack (and inability to experience the fulfillment enjoyed by other people). They're deeply convinced that something is wrong with them; they resign themselves to this notion. Comparisons between self and others cement the perception of personal “defectiveness.” It may even seem they “safe-guard their right to suffer.” Self-identification with victimhood causes the perception of slights from others when no slight was genuinely intended. They find it difficult to express their needs or anger through any means but tears. These 4s do, however, find fulfillment/honor in protecting the authenticity of others. They call out those who they perceive as being anything less than true to themselves, and urge them to “get real.” No fakes allowed!
One-on-One 4: Competition/Infatuation
For these 4s, envy is transmuted into anger. There’s visible anger about feeling deprived, and they may put the onus on others to alleviate their pain. This can manifest as biting sarcasm, contempt, or demanding that others meet their emotional needs. These 4s “share their misery” with those around them. They may become infatuated with unavailable people, and compete for the attention of those desired individuals (which can feel quite energizing). Part of “competing” is striving to become exceptional. These 4s have an all-or-nothing approach to “winning” the affections of someone they desire; they want to be the center of the other’s life, and won’t settle for less. They may also find themselves attracted to individuals who embody qualities they desire in themselves. This leaves ample room for resentment, resulting in a “mixed bag” of emotions. They can simultaneously harbor feelings of love and hate for the same person. A “revolving door effect” may develop as these 4s alternate between seducing the object of their desire and then pushing them away—always keeping things interesting.
To explore more about Type 4 and its subtypes join us at our next monthly workshop! You can see all of our upcoming events here. You can also work one-on-one with us by emailing us here.
*Shoutout to the Enneagram masters: I owe my understanding of Instinctual Subtypes to a long list of authors and teachers, but extra special credit goes to Peter O’Hanrahan, Helen Palmer, Beatrice Chesnut, and Ginger Lapid-Bogda