requesteism

Requesteism is a term used to describe a philosophical or psychological tendency to define oneself primarily through the act of making requests or by the perceived success of one's requests. Individuals who exhibit requesteism may feel that their identity is intrinsically linked to what they ask for and how those requests are received. This can manifest in various ways, from a constant stream of demands to a deep-seated anxiety about not asking for enough or asking for the wrong things.

The core of requesteism lies in the belief that one's worth or agency is directly proportional to their ability to articulate needs and desires to others, and to have those articulated needs met. This can stem from a variety of sources, including upbringing, social conditioning, or personal insecurities. For some, making requests may be a learned coping mechanism for navigating social interactions or perceived power imbalances.

While making requests is a normal and necessary part of human interaction, requesteism suggests an over-reliance on this behavior as a defining characteristic of self. It can lead to a dynamic where an individual's sense of self-worth is constantly being validated or invalidated by external responses to their requests. This can create a cycle of dependence and potentially hinder the development of intrinsic self-esteem. The concept is not a formally recognized psychological disorder but rather a descriptive term for a pattern of behavior and self-perception.