[Open Eyes]

I came across this article and thought members would like to read it. Interesting article.

The '''Trauma Triangle''' Explains 3 Classic Roles Trauma Survivors Fall Into

[Open Eyes]

One of the things I later thought about after reading this article is how often children who grow up in a dysfunctional home often play out these triangle roles when they play with their dolls or toys.

I remember doing that when I played with my dolls and toys.

[bide]

Thank you for this!

In addition to taking on those roles, I can recognize displacement of them at the same time, setting up 'actors' in the dialogue between the roles. It's hard to explain... using toys to express it as a child would be similar, but how that evolves into adulthood...

I wonder if it is useful to associate the three roles in that triangle with the enneagram 'centers':

Enneagram Gut Center - Perpetrator
Concerned with: Justice
Seeking: Autonomy
Underlying Issue: Anger

Enneagram Feeling Center - Rescuer
Concerned with: Image
Seeking: Attention
Underlying Issue: Shame

Enneagram Thinking Center - Victim
Concerned with: Strategies
Seeking: Security
Underlying Issue: Fear

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence - Enneagram Explained

The idea is that everyone has a 'core' identity in one of the centers, but incorporates all of them at one time or another.

That seems to fit well.

[Atypical_Disaster]

Thank you for posting this. Smiles. I came across it at the perfect time as I’ve been thinking about the role of roles, as it were. Especially in regards to a friend that has been fighting with me for the better part of a year now. Quite obviously, I’m looking for something I may be missing and her and I are both trauma victims who both like to deny the impacts of said trauma. Ha ha, that didn’t end well.

Originally Posted by bide

Thank you for this!


In addition to taking on those roles, I can recognize displacement of them at the same time, setting up 'actors' in the dialogue between the roles. It's hard to explain... using toys to express it as a child would be similar, but how that evolves into adulthood...


I wonder if it is useful to associate the three roles in that triangle with the enneagram 'centers':


Enneagram Gut Center - Perpetrator

Concerned with: Justice

Seeking: Autonomy

Underlying Issue: Anger


Enneagram Feeling Center - Rescuer

Concerned with: Image

Seeking: Attention

Underlying Issue: Shame


Enneagram Thinking Center - Victim

Concerned with: Strategies

Seeking: Security

Underlying Issue: Fear


Enneagram Centers of Intelligence - Enneagram Explained


The idea is that everyone has a 'core' identity in one of the centers, but incorporates all of them at one time or another.


That seems to fit well.

This got my attention, I love the Enneagram and have been reading/otherwise studying it on and off for a few years now. I want to think about this more, I have plenty of ideas about this kind of thing floating around...

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks for sharing

[cptsdwhoa]

Thank you for sharing this. It's very helpful!

[guy1111]

I've heard this referred to as the Karpman Drama Triangle. Same idea. Key is to flip the script on whatever role you are in from cycle repeating behavior, to cycle breaking behavior. Look up "The Empowerment Dynamic". It takes some practice if you are stuck in the triangle and requires changing your attitude towards the other person (and yourself).

[88Butterfly88]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing! I am probably closest to the perpetrator role.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

I came across this article and thought members would like to read it. Interesting article.

The '''Trauma Triangle''' Explains 3 Classic Roles Trauma Survivors Fall Into

Thank you for the article.