The Five Personality Patterns originated in the work of Wilhelm Reich, who recognized that trauma and chronic stress don’t just affect the mind, they shape the body, the nervous system, and the way we relate to the world. Reich observed that when children experience overwhelm, unmet needs, or relational injury, they naturally develop protective patterns in their posture, breath, and muscle tone. These “armouring” responses help them cope at the time, but over the years they solidify into familiar behavioural and relational tendencies.

Each of the five patterns reflects a unique survival strategy created early in life to maintain safety, connection, or autonomy. While these patterns once served an important purpose, they can become limiting when they operate unconsciously in adulthood.

At its core, this framework helps us understand that personality is not fixed, it’s a body-based adaptation to experience, and therefore it can change. Through somatic work, nervous system regulation, and conscious awareness, we can soften the old armouring, release outdated protective strategies, and create new ways of relating that are grounded, authentic, and truly supportive of who we’re becoming.

There is truly nothing “wrong” with you, your body programmed itself and designed you perfectly to stay safe. You’re not broken, your programming is outdated and it’s time for an upgrade!