While narcissists are self-absorbed and lackempathy, an echoist struggles to ask for anything they want or need.
However, this often leads people to stay inside their own heads and become preoccupied with themselves.
Echoists strive to stay out of the public eye, both in reality and in their own thoughts.
Jakraphong Pongpotganatam / Getty Images
They strongly resist any recognition of their successes or needs as it often makes them feel vain.
What Is Echoism?
Echoism is a trait someone exhibits rather than a disorder itself.
Harold Hong, a board-certified psychiatrist at New Waters Recovery.
Despite it not being a formal condition, echoism has telltale indicators.
How Echoism Impacts Relationships
Echoist tendencies can significantly change how a person interacts inplatonicandromanticrelationships.
If not addressed, this difficulty can lead to a feeling of dissatisfaction and emotional distance in the relationship.
Its important to note that echoists tend to beactive listenersand very empathetic.
However, the issue arrives when theres no balance in the relationship.
In the beginning, a romantic relationship may feel like you are dating the nicest person in the world.
Dana Wang, a psychiatrist and the co-founder and CEO ofRIVIA Mind, a telepsychiatry mental health service company.
Having a partner who focuses solely on them and agrees on things can feel ideal to a narcissist.
This dynamic can leave an echoist vulnerable tomanipulationand regularly sacrificing themselves for their partner.
They often have low self-esteem and might haveexperienced traumathat caused the belief.
Echoism is a traumatic reaction from having been rejected," Wang says.
An echoist likely had childhood experiences or relationships with caregivers during which they were rejected.
Essentially, they convince themselves that this is the only way they can be loved, Wang adds.
Either extreme is about suppressing certain aspects of us disproportionately.
Its ok to be special and want to feel special.
Its human nature, and its a valid human need.
However, if its all one wants, in disregard for others, then its problematic, says Wang.
Echoism and narcissism can each have a negative impact on the individual and the people in their life.
Remember you are special every day by just getting up and existing in this world as you.
You bring something unique and wonderful to this place, and your mere existence deserves to be treasured.
Overcoming Echoism
Echoism doesnt need to be a permanent state of mind.
Part of this involves settingboundariesrather than going along with anything another person wants to do.
It can be challenging to overcome echoist traits when in or coming out of a relationship with a narcissist.
This task requires reviewing their experiences of brainwashing orgaslightingand how their partner used these actions to seek control.
Then the emphasis moves to helping them find themselves again.
