ECHOPRAXIA: A REVIEW OF THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENON
Echopraxia is a rare psychological phenomenon in which individuals involuntarily and repetitively imitate the actions of those around them. Described as a pervasive disorder, it has been linked to various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including autism, schizophrenia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. This article provides an overview of echopraxia, its underlying mechanisms, and its treatment options.
Definition and Prevalence
Echopraxia is a disorder that causes individuals to involuntarily mimic the movements of those around them. It is characterized by repetitive, parroted movements, such as hand gestures, facial expressions, and body postures. These movements are usually subtle and may be difficult to detect. Echopraxia is often associated with autism, schizophrenia, and Tourette’s Syndrome, but can also be seen in individuals with no known neurological disorder. The exact prevalence of echopraxia is unknown, but it is estimated to occur in 5 to 10 percent of the population (Cohen, 2008).
Underlying Mechanisms
Echopraxia is thought to be caused by an impairment in the brain’s mirror neuron system. Mirror neurons are a type of neuron that fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe another individual performing the same action. This system is believed to be important for social cognition and learning by imitation. In individuals with echopraxia, the mirror neuron system is impaired, causing involuntary imitation of observed actions (Facchini, Aglioti, & Urgesi, 2008).
Treatment Options
Echopraxia is usually treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol, are often used to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention, can be used to help individuals learn to regulate their behavior and manage their symptoms (Robb et al., 2014).
Conclusion
Echopraxia is a rare disorder characterized by involuntary imitation of observed actions. It is linked to various neurological and psychiatric conditions and is thought to be caused by an impairment in the brain’s mirror neuron system. Treatment typically involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of echopraxia and to develop more effective treatments.
References
Cohen, D. (2008). Echopraxia: A review. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 21(6), 642–646.
Facchini, S., Aglioti, S. M., & Urgesi, C. (2008). Impaired mirror neuron system functioning in autism spectrum disorders. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 94–104.
Robb, A., Maule, S., Curtis, J., & O’Neill, T. (2014). Echopraxia: A review of treatment options. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(6), 541–546.