At their best:

Healthy 5s are profoundly perceptive and also capable of original, brilliant and inventive solutions to problems.  At times they feel most secure when left to their imaginations instead of actually doing something with their knowledge.

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The message an Enneagram 5's heart longs to hear:

"Your needs are not a problem."

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In stress:

Enneagram 5s go to 7 in stress, taking impulsive action to avoid unresolved internal emotions.

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In growth:

Enneagram 5s go to 8 in growth, getting to a place where they can trust their instincts and making decisive decisions.

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Ways to get along with a 5:

Be independent and not clingy.

Speak in a brief and straightforward manner.

They need a lot of alone time to process their feelings and thoughts.

They don’t like surprises, intrusions on their privacy, too many emotions, needy people, and obligations.

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Things that resonate with a 5:
I don’t always say things out loud but in my head I am often sarcastic and cynical.
I often feel awkward around other people.
I need a lot of alone time.
If I want people to know how I am feeling, I will tell them.  I usually don’t like for them
to ask.
I think thoughts are more reliable than feelings (they are easier to express).
People can be wasteful.  I hold tight to what I have.
Most of the time I would rather observe than participate.
In general, I trust myself.  I will ponder things for a while and then I will make my own
decisions.
Getting together to “just hangout” doesn’t make sense to me.
As a child, I often felt invisible.  I can as an adult as well.
Sometimes I think I should be more generous but it is hard for me.