Surrounded by Energy Vampires

September 18, 2023
Erikson (Surrounded by Narcissists) outlines a down-to-earth approach to dealing with the people he calls “energy vampires,” the “uninvited mental squatter, who seem to live to drain everybody around them.” Energy vampires can be perfectionists, drama queens, narcissists, bullies, whiners, or know-it-alls, according to the author, who offers tips for recognizing each variety (narcissists interpret “criticism as an expression of envy,” while bullies “invariably blame others for their own mistakes”). Erikson explains how to use the DISC model, which categorizes personality types by color and is based on the work of psychologist William Moulton Marston, to identify the vampires uniquely harmful to each reader: perfectionists particularly rankle “yellows,” who chafe against constant criticism, while “greens” have “evasive and deferential demeanors” that render them “excellent targets” for narcissists. After suggesting strategies for handling each type in personal and professional settings, Erikson explains how readers can work through their own energy-sucking habits by sharpening communication skills and improving self-awareness. While the focus on the hyperspecifics of the DISC model sometimes distracts, readers will find plenty of useful strategies, and Erikson’s general ethos—“I can’t change anybody else, but I can change myself”—inspires. It’s a solid resource for those eager to protect their inner peace in a hectic world.