What are the signs of an inferiority complex. How does it affect daily life. Can therapy help overcome feelings of inadequacy. What self-help strategies can boost self-esteem. How to recognize and address an inferiority complex in others.

Understanding the Inferiority Complex: More Than Just Low Self-Esteem

An inferiority complex is a psychological pattern characterized by persistent feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. While it’s normal to occasionally doubt oneself, those with an inferiority complex experience these feelings as a pervasive, debilitating force in their lives. This condition goes beyond simple low self-esteem, affecting multiple aspects of a person’s life and self-perception.

The term “inferiority complex” was coined by psychoanalyst Alfred Adler in 1907, though modern mental health professionals often prefer to describe it as chronic low self-esteem. Regardless of the terminology, the impact on individuals can be profound, influencing their personal relationships, professional achievements, and overall life satisfaction.

Recognizing the Signs: Key Indicators of an Inferiority Complex

Identifying an inferiority complex can be challenging, as its manifestations can vary from person to person. However, there are several common signs to watch for:

• Persistent negative self-talk and self-criticism
• Avoiding challenges or competitions out of fear of failure
• Extreme sensitivity to both praise and criticism
• Tendency to withdraw from social situations
• Feeling responsible for others’ shortcomings
• Seeking constant validation or attention
• Difficulty accepting compliments
• Perfectionist tendencies

Do these behaviors significantly impact daily life? For individuals with an inferiority complex, these patterns can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of underachievement and dissatisfaction. The constant self-doubt and fear of inadequacy can lead to missed opportunities and stunted personal growth.

The Root Causes: Unraveling the Origins of Inferiority Complexes

Understanding the causes of an inferiority complex is crucial for effective treatment. While each individual’s experience is unique, several factors can contribute to the development of this psychological pattern:

1. Childhood experiences and upbringing
2. Traumatic events or persistent bullying
3. Societal and cultural pressures
4. Comparison to high-achieving siblings or peers
5. Physical or intellectual disabilities
6. Socioeconomic factors

Is there a genetic component to inferiority complexes? While research in this area is ongoing, current evidence suggests that while there may be a hereditary predisposition to certain personality traits, environmental factors play a significant role in the development of inferiority complexes.

The Impact on Daily Life: How Inferiority Complexes Affect Behavior and Relationships

An inferiority complex can have far-reaching effects on various aspects of a person’s life:

Professional Life

Individuals may avoid taking on new responsibilities or pursuing promotions, limiting their career growth. The fear of failure can lead to procrastination and underperformance, further reinforcing feelings of inadequacy.

Personal Relationships

The constant need for validation can strain friendships and romantic partnerships. Individuals may struggle to assert themselves or may become overly dependent on others for emotional support.

Mental Health

Chronic feelings of inferiority can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health issues. The persistent negative self-talk can create a cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies and missed opportunities.

How can one break free from these self-imposed limitations? Recognizing the pattern is the first step towards change. Seeking professional help and developing self-awareness can pave the way for personal growth and improved self-esteem.

Diagnosis and Professional Help: When to Seek Treatment

While an inferiority complex is not a formal clinical diagnosis, the symptoms associated with it can be addressed through professional mental health treatment. Consider seeking help if:

• Feelings of inadequacy persistently interfere with daily life
• You find yourself avoiding opportunities due to self-doubt
• Relationships are strained by your need for constant reassurance
• You experience symptoms of anxiety or depression

A mental health professional can help diagnose underlying issues and develop a tailored treatment plan. This may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can be particularly effective in challenging and reframing negative thought patterns.

Therapeutic Approaches: Effective Strategies for Overcoming Inferiority Complexes

Several therapeutic approaches can be beneficial in treating inferiority complexes:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It can help individuals challenge their self-limiting beliefs and develop more realistic self-perceptions.

Psychodynamic Therapy

This approach explores how past experiences, particularly from childhood, may be influencing current feelings of inferiority. It can help individuals gain insight into the root causes of their complex.

Group Therapy

Participating in group sessions can provide a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Techniques such as mindfulness meditation can help individuals become more aware of their thought patterns and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

Can therapy completely eliminate an inferiority complex? While complete elimination may not always be possible, therapy can significantly reduce the impact of these feelings on daily life and help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Self-Help Strategies: Building Self-Esteem and Overcoming Inferiority

In addition to professional treatment, there are several self-help strategies individuals can employ to combat feelings of inferiority:

• Practice self-compassion and positive self-talk
• Set realistic goals and celebrate small achievements
• Engage in activities that showcase personal strengths
• Limit comparison to others, especially on social media
• Develop a growth mindset that views challenges as opportunities for learning
• Practice gratitude and focus on personal progress
• Engage in regular exercise and self-care activities

How long does it take to see improvements in self-esteem? The timeline for improvement can vary greatly depending on the individual and the severity of their inferiority complex. Consistent effort and patience are key, and many people begin to notice positive changes within a few months of actively working on their self-esteem.

The Role of Support Systems: Fostering a Nurturing Environment

A strong support system can play a crucial role in overcoming an inferiority complex. Friends, family, and supportive colleagues can provide:

• Encouragement and positive reinforcement
• A realistic perspective on one’s abilities and achievements
• Opportunities for social interaction and skill-building
• Emotional support during challenging times

How can loved ones best support someone with an inferiority complex? Offering genuine praise, encouraging healthy risk-taking, and providing a non-judgmental listening ear can be invaluable. It’s important to strike a balance between support and enabling, encouraging independence and personal growth.

Creating a Supportive Work Environment

Employers and colleagues can contribute to a positive atmosphere by:

• Recognizing and celebrating individual contributions
• Providing constructive feedback in a supportive manner
• Offering opportunities for skill development and growth
• Fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect

By creating an environment that values diversity and individual strengths, workplaces can help mitigate the impact of inferiority complexes on professional performance and satisfaction.

Long-Term Management: Maintaining Self-Esteem and Preventing Relapse

Overcoming an inferiority complex is an ongoing process that requires continued effort and self-awareness. Long-term management strategies may include:

• Regular self-reflection and journaling
• Ongoing therapy or counseling sessions
• Participation in support groups or workshops
• Continuous personal development and learning
• Mindfulness practices to maintain emotional balance

Is it possible to completely eliminate the risk of relapse? While complete elimination of all feelings of inferiority may not be realistic, individuals can develop robust coping mechanisms and a strong sense of self-worth that allows them to navigate challenges more effectively.

The Importance of Self-Compassion

Cultivating self-compassion is a powerful tool in managing an inferiority complex. This involves:

• Treating oneself with the same kindness one would offer a friend
• Recognizing that imperfection is a part of the human experience
• Practicing mindfulness to observe thoughts without judgment

By developing a more compassionate relationship with oneself, individuals can create a strong foundation for lasting self-esteem and resilience.

Societal Impact: Addressing Inferiority Complexes on a Broader Scale

The prevalence of inferiority complexes has implications beyond individual mental health. On a societal level, addressing this issue can lead to:

• Increased productivity and innovation in the workplace
• Improved mental health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs
• Enhanced social cohesion and community engagement
• Greater diversity in leadership positions across various fields

How can society as a whole contribute to reducing the impact of inferiority complexes? Education about mental health, promoting inclusive environments, and challenging unrealistic societal standards can all play a role in creating a culture that supports healthy self-esteem.

The Role of Media and Social Platforms

Media outlets and social platforms can contribute by:

• Promoting diverse representations of success and beauty
• Providing balanced and responsible reporting on mental health issues
• Implementing features that encourage positive interactions and reduce harmful comparisons

By fostering a more inclusive and supportive digital landscape, these platforms can help mitigate some of the external factors that contribute to inferiority complexes.

Future Directions: Research and Innovation in Treating Inferiority Complexes

As our understanding of psychology and neuroscience advances, new approaches to treating inferiority complexes are emerging. Some promising areas of research include:

• Neuroplasticity-based interventions to rewire negative thought patterns
• Virtual reality therapy for exposure and skill-building
• Personalized treatment plans based on genetic and environmental factors
• Integration of artificial intelligence in mental health support and monitoring

What role might technology play in future treatments? While human interaction remains crucial in therapy, technological advancements may offer new tools for self-monitoring, skill practice, and ongoing support between traditional therapy sessions.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Research increasingly points to the benefits of early intervention in preventing the development of severe inferiority complexes. This may involve:

• School-based programs to promote healthy self-esteem in children
• Parent education on fostering positive self-image in their children
• Early screening for signs of low self-esteem or negative self-talk

By addressing these issues early, it may be possible to prevent the entrenchment of inferiority complexes and promote healthier psychological development.

In conclusion, while inferiority complexes can have a significant impact on individuals and society, there is hope for those affected. Through a combination of professional help, self-help strategies, and supportive environments, it is possible to overcome feelings of inadequacy and build a more positive, fulfilling life. As research continues to advance our understanding of this psychological pattern, new and more effective treatments may emerge, offering even greater hope for those struggling with feelings of inferiority.

What Is an Inferiority Complex? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

By Nuna Alberts, LCSWMedically Reviewed by Allison Young, MD

Reviewed: April 14, 2020

Medically Reviewed

We all worry at times about our abilities. Although it’s distressing, it’s normal to question whether we measure up to others or to feel momentarily incompetent for, say, scoring lower on a test than those around us, not performing as well as our coworkers, or for not yet being as well-situated in life as our friends.

For most of us, these feelings of insecurity and insufficiency (such as being unable to reach an intended goal) are highly situational or occasional. When they arise, we may, for example, brood about them for a time and then move on, deal with them by reminding ourselves that we have other strengths, or use them as motivation to master the underlying problem, says James E. Maddux, PhD, psychologist and author of Subjective Well-Being and Life Satisfaction and coauthor of Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding.

Even when major events cause our self-doubt to flare — being fired from a job or being dumped by a romantic partner — most of us are able to turn to friends and family and eventually find other ways to feel secure, engaged, and productive.

But if you have an inferiority complex — an old-fashioned term for what Dr. Maddux instead calls chronic low self-esteem — you respond differently. You call yourself names, lament your shortcomings, and believe that your intense self-criticism is reasonable. Just when your self-esteem is most fragile, you attack it even further. This cycle is so deeply rooted that it consistently holds you back personally and professionally.

“You get what you expect and people with very low self-esteem expect very little,” says Amy Flowers, PhD, a cognitive-behavioral therapist in private practice in Macon, Georgia. “It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.” As disappointments mount, you become more discouraged and more vulnerable to being biased against yourself. The result is a pervasive feeling of being “less than” across most aspects of life: psychological, intellectual, social, and physical.

The good news is there are things you can do to curb these unhealthy responses, overcome your psychological distress, rebuild your self-esteem, and enjoy a more fulfilling life, Maddux says.

History of the Term ‘Inferiority Complex’

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines an inferiority complex as “a basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, deriving from actual or imagined physical or psychological deficiency.” (1) The term dates back to 1907, when it was coined by the influential psychoanalyst Alfred Adler to explain why so many people seem to lack the motivation to act in their own best interest and go after their goals in life. Contemporary psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals avoid the term now though, notes Maddux, often characterizing it instead as low self-esteem.

Signs and Symptoms of an Inferiority Complex

“Feeling inferior from time to time is human nature,” says Martin E. Ford, PhD, a professor and senior associate dean at George Mason University College of Education and Human Development in Fairfax, Virginia. “The key is how one responds to those feelings. Do they motivate you to learn and try to do better? Or do they cause you to ruminate and shut down? Or perhaps even worse, do they cause you to feel jealous of others and to put people down in order to build yourself up? Or to always blame others for things for which you should take personal responsibility? When such patterns become consistent across abroad set of circumstances, that is when the term ‘inferiority complex’ may apply.”

The essence of an inferiority complex is having a collection of negative thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and tendencies. Signs you may have one, according to Depression Alliance, include: (2)

• Repetitively focusing on thoughts that are upsetting
• Shutting down out of shame, guilt, embarrassment, or an inward sense of defeat
• Withdrawing from coworkers, colleagues, or family members
• Demeaning others as a way to transfer their feelings of isolation and failure

Psychology Today notes that a person with an inferiority complex may also: (3)

• Feel responsible for other people’s shortcomings and failures
• Seek attention and validation by pretending to be sick, depressed, or by continually bringing the conversation back to them
• Avoid any type of competition where their efforts might be directly compared with others; “People with very low self-esteem don’t take risks. They don’t try things and they end up missing out on many opportunities,” says Dr. Flowers
• Be extremely sensitive to both compliments and criticisms
• Exhibit personality traits, such as perfectionism and neuroticism (a tendency toward anxiety, depression, and other negative feelings) (4)

Learn More About the Symptoms and Signs of an Inferiority Complex

Causes and Risk Factors of an Inferiority Complex

Research suggests that the behavorial and psychological characteristics associated with an inferiority complex arise from a combination of factors, including:

Genetic Predisposition For example, a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who inherited a variation in the receptor for oxytocin, a hormone that contributes to positive emotions, felt less optimistic, had lower self-esteem, and felt less personal mastery than people who inherited a different type of receptor for oxytocin. (5)

Family of Origin According to Maddux, who has studied self-esteem for decades, your early caregivers can have an enormous impact on whether a genetic tendency toward self-doubt is “exacerbated” or “softened.” A child whose highly critical parent repeatedly says things like “You’re stupid,” “You’re a klutz,” or “You never do anything right” may internalize those admonishments so completely that they carry them into adulthood.

“When you are very young and impressionable and faced with constant criticism, you feel powerless, worthless, ashamed, shy, and unenthusiastic most of the time,” explains psychologist Elaine N. Aron, PhD, author of The Undervalued Self. “Feeling that it all must be your fault, you undervalue yourself chronically.”

Society Unrealistic standards coming from advertisers, social media, celebrities, and other figures of authority can create or reinforce perceptions about one’s self that lead to enormous self-doubt. “When society bombards us with messages about how we should act, what we should acquire, and about what type, size, and color our bodies should be, we internalize and feel diminished to such an extent that it affects our own assessment of who we are and what our real worth is,” says Caren Shapiro, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in private practice in New York City.

“People who have very low self-esteem tend to compare themselves more with others,” notes Flowers. “And when they compare themselves, they compare themselves only to the most successful people.”

Learn More About the Causes of an Inferiority Complex

How Is an Inferiority Complex Diagnosed?

An inferiority complex is not a diagnosable mental health disorder. Instead, clinicians use low self-esteem as one possible symptom when they assess for other psychological problems, including:

• Anxiety Disorders “If you feel as if you’re not as good as others, it can provoke anxiety in many situations,” explains Dr. Aron.
• Depressive Disorders The link with depression is particularly strong; for instance, one large-scale meta-analysis of 77 prior studies published in the journal Psychological Bulletin showed that low self-esteem is a key factor in the development and maintenance of depression. (6)

Related

What Are Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

Duration of an Inferiority Complex

An untreated inferiority complex can endure for years, even a lifetime, primarily because it’s so hard for people with an entrenched negative view of themselves to absorb positive information that challenges that view, explains Aron. Indeed, she cites landmark research published in the journal Psychological Science that found telling people with low self-esteem to repeat affirmations like “I am enough” can actually be “ineffective and even harmful”. (7, PDF) “Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people, but backfire for the very people who ‘need’ them the most,” the study authors noted. “When people with low self-esteem repeated the statement, ‘I’m a lovable person,’ or focused on ways in which this statement was true of them, neither their feelings about themselves nor their moods improved — they got worse.”

“I don’t think anyone with a real inferiority complex can psych themselves out of it alone,” says Aron. “You have to have another person to validate and affirm your worth so that it becomes believable.”

Treatment, Medication Options, and Tips for Overcoming an Inferiority Complex

So is there a way to heal? Yes. Treatment today usually involves one of two approaches, or a combination of both, and possibly medication as well:

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) “There is tons and tons of evidence of the effectiveness of CBT,” says Maddux. “What CBT does is, in a very structured way, teaches people to examine the negative thoughts and feelings they’re having in the moment and gradually change them over time by checking their validity. ‘Am I really a totally incompetent person who never does anything right, or is that a cognitive distortion?’” 

Cognitive distortions are thoughts patterns that erode self-esteem. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include: (8)

• All-or-Nothing Thinking You see things as either all good or all bad. For example, “I’m a total failure because it took me more time than I said it would to write this report.”
• Mental Filtering By focusing only on the negatives, you distort your view of yourself. For example, “If I’m late to the meeting, everyone will know that I’m a loser.”
• Converting Positives Into Negatives You undervalue your successes and compliments. For example, “I only got the job because no one else wanted it.” “A person with chronic low self-esteem has learned to filter their successes out, to undervalue them time and time again,” Maddux says.
• Jumping to Negative Conclusions You reach a negative conclusion when little or no evidence supports it. For example, “My coworker went to lunch without me, so she must be mad at me.”
• Mistaking Feelings for Facts You confuse feelings or beliefs with facts. For example, “I don’t think I’m attractive, so I must be ugly.”

Psychodynamic Therapy, or Talk Therapy According to the American Psychiatric Association, “most people who receive psychotherapy experience relief and are better able to function in their lives.” (9)

To get the most help out of psychotherapy for chronic low self-esteem, “the first step is to develop a really deep understanding of where this feeling of diminishment is coming from by delving into the messaging that came early in life and exploring the situations that reinforced the feeling of not being good enough,” says Shapiro. “Next, we help shift the focus away from what they lack to the positive things about themselves and their lives. Once we, so to speak, even out the playing field, we can then, from a position of positive self-regard, repair their sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. ”

Medication When an individual has low self-esteem along with certain psychological conditions, such as severe anxiety or depression, medication may be warranted. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American, options include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which increase the levels of mood-lifting hormones in the brain by preventing their reabsorption by neurons. (10)

Learn More About Treatment for an Inferiority Complex

Complications of an Inferiority Complex

In some cases, people who continually see themselves as being lesser than those around them or as failing to meet societal standards may experience high psychological distress that leads to self-harming behaviors (such as cutting and substance abuse) or suicidality, notes Maddux.

More on Inferiority Complex

4 Ways to Overcome an Inferiority Complex at Work

What’s more, an inferiority complex can cause a widespread internalized sense of self-defeat or self-loathing in entire culture groups that face stereotypes and discrimination based on age, race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors. (11)

“If you’re born a woman,” for example, “you’re very vulnerable to an inferiority complex,” says Aron. Women have long been viewed in our society as inferior to men, she explains, especially in certain in fields, such as the sciences, sports, and business. As a result, even a woman whose self-esteem is intact day to day has to battle against feeling inferior in the workforce, a feeling that’s reinforced by factors like the ongoing wage gap between men and women and the lack of women in leadership roles.

More on Inferiority Complex

How to Help Your Child Overcome an Inferiority Complex

The effect is measurable, write Katty Kay and Claire Shipman in “The Confidence Gap” in the May 2014 issue of The Atlantic. A growing body of evidence shows that “compared with men, women don’t consider themselves as ready for promotions, they predict they’ll do worse on tests, and they generally underestimate their abilities.” (12)

Learn More About the Complications of an Inferiority Complex

Related Conditions of an Inferiority Complex

In addition to depression and anxiety, low self-esteem is often associated with eating disorders. Negative feelings about body image contribute to eating disorders, which an estimated 30 million Americans (including 10 million boys and men) experience at some point in their lives, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. (13)

How to Tell the Difference Between a Superiority vs. Inferiority Complex

Another oft-cited sign of an inferiority complex is its opposite: narcissistic personality disorder, aka a superiority complex. How can the two be linked? Because, according to the APA definition, the tell-tale signs of a superiority complex — “an exaggerated opinion of one’s abilities and accomplishments” — arise from “an overcompensation for feelings of inferiority.” (14) As Mayo Clinic experts explain, although people with narcissistic personality disorders may appear “to have an inflated sense of their own importance. … Behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.” (15)

Resources We Love

Favorite Online Support Network

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Sometimes, connecting with others can help you work through symptoms of depression and anxiety related to feelings of inferiority. If you’re looking for support, the ADAA can help. Search for a support group near you or start your own.

Favorite Self-Help Tools

The Undervalued Self

Can’t make it to a therapist just yet? This book by psychologist Elaine Aron offers deep yet simple to understand insight into why we feel sometimes feel defeated and worthless, compelling examples of how others have escaped feelings or shame, defeat, and depression, along with useful strategies for transforming your inner voice to enhance your self-worth.

Self-Esteem-Experts.com

Looking for ways to manage your dips in self-esteem? This site offers tons of worksheets and activities for boosting your confidence and changing the way you feel about yourself.

Centre for Clinical Interventions

This online service of the Government of Western Australia is a great resource for people worldwide, providing extensive information about low self-esteem, as well as a downloadable workbook for improving self-esteem.

Favorite App

Moodfit

Looking for ways to reduce your negative thoughts? This app offers cognitive therapy tools that help convert those thoughts into positive messages, create new habits that reduce anxiety, depression, and other signs of an inferiority complex, and even track how well any mood-related medication you’re taking are working.

Favorite Video

‘Meet Yourself: A User’s Guide to Building Self-Esteem’

In this short TED Talk, Niko Everett, the founder of the Girls for Change organization highlights the impact our thoughts have on our self-esteem and shares some techniques children and adults can use daily to enhance their image of themselves.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

1. Inferiority Complex. American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology.
2. Inferiority Complex: 5 Ways to Start Raising Your Self-Esteem. Depression Alliance.
3. Four Signs That Someone Is Probably Insecure.  Psychology Today. November 17, 2015.
4. What Is Neuroticism? Psychology Today.
5. Saphire-Bernstein S, Way B, Kim HS, et al. Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) Is Related to Psychological Resources. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. September 2011.
6. Sowislo J, Orth U. Does Low Self-Esteem Predict Depression and Anxiety? A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Psychological Bulletin. January 2013.
7. Wood J, Perunovic W, Lee J. Positive Self Statements: Power For Some, Peril For Others. Psychological Science. July 2009.
8. Self-Esteem: Steps to Feel Better About Yourself. Mayo Clinic. July 12, 2017.
9. What Is Psychotherapy? American Psychiatric Association. January 2019.
10. Medication. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. July 2019.
11. Thames A, Hinkin C, Byrd DA, et al. Effects of Stereotype Threat, Perceived Discrimination, and Examiner Race on Neuropsychological Performance: Simple as Black and White? Journal of the International Psychological Society. May 2013.
12. Kay K, Shipman C. The Confidence Gap. The Atlantic. May 2014.
13. What Are Eating Disorders? National Eating Disorders Association.
14. Superiority Complex. American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology.
15. Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Mayo Clinic.

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Understanding It, Traits, Treatment and More

A superiority complex is a behavior that suggests a person believes they’re somehow superior to others. People with this complex often have exaggerated opinions of themselves. They may believe their abilities and achievements surpass those of others.

However, a superiority complex may actually be hiding low self-esteem or a sense of inferiority.

Psychologist Alfred Adler first described the superiority complex in his early 20^th century work. He outlined that the complex is really a defense mechanism for feelings of inadequacy that we all struggle with.

In short, people with a superiority complex frequently have boastful attitudes to people around them. But these are merely a way to cover up feelings of failure or shortcoming.

The symptoms of superiority complex may include:

• high valuations of self-worth
• boastful claims that aren’t backed up by reality
• attention to appearance, or vanity
• overly high opinion of one’s self
• a self-image of supremacy or authority
• unwillingness to listen to others
• overcompensation for specific elements of life
• mood swings, often made worse by contradiction from another person
• underlying low self-esteem or feelings of inferiority

You may believe that you spot some of these symptoms in another person. They can be easy to identify, especially after a long relationship. But matching these symptoms to the complex itself is not that easy.

Many of these “symptoms” can also be caused by several other conditions. These include narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar disorder.

A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, may be able to see beneath the symptoms to the real issue. That is often a low self-esteem or sense of inferiority. If this is discovered, a superiority complex becomes distinct from other possible issues.

A superiority complex is an exaggerated sense of self-worth. It hides real feelings of mediocrity.

An inferiority complex is an overstated feeling of weakness. It often hides true motives, such as aspirations for power.

In Adler’s theory of individual psychology, a superiority complex and an inferiority complex are tied together. He held that a person who acted superior to others and held others as less worthy was actually hiding a feeling of inferiority. Likewise, some people who have really high aspirations may attempt to hide them by pretending to be modest or even incapable.

Individual psychology is based on the idea that we are all striving to overcome a sense of inadequacy or inferiority, and this leads us to master skills and create a meaningful life of belonging and success.

Overcoming feelings of inferiority are the motivation for us to create the life we want. In this context, a superiority complex is the result or reaction to a failure to achieve one’s goals or to live up to internal expectations.

Freud thought that a superiority complex was actually a way to compensate or overcompensate for areas in which we are lacking or failing. He thought it could be motivating or a way to help us cope with failure.

Superiority complex differs from genuine confidence in that confidence is a result of having an actual skill, success, or talent in a specific area. In contrast, a superiority complex is a false confidence or bravado when little or no success, achievement, or talent actually is there.

It’s unclear why anyone develops a superiority complex. Multiple situations or incidents may be the root cause.

For example, it may be the result of multiple failures. A person tries to complete a specific goal or achieve a desired outcome, but they don’t succeed. They learn to handle the anxiety and stress of the failure by pretending to be above it.

If they feel protected from their failures in this manner, they may repeat it in the future. In short, they learn to escape feelings of inadequacy by boasting and pretending to be better than others. But to people around this person, the behaviors may be seen as prideful and arrogant.

These behaviors can begin at an early age. When a child is learning to cope with challenges and changes, they may learn to suppress feelings of inadequacy or fear. A superiority complex may develop.

Likewise, it may also happen later in life. As teens and adults, a person has many opportunities to try new things among new people. If these situations are not successfully navigated, a person may develop a superiority complex to overcome feeling isolated or lacking.

A superiority complex is not an official diagnosis. It does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). This manual is a tool mental health experts and healthcare providers can use to diagnose a number of mental health disorders. The DSM-5 also helps healthcare providers decide on appropriate treatment.

However, not being in the manual does not mean the complex is not real. A mental health expert will use a combination of factors to determine if a person has the complex. These include observed behaviors and an evaluation during one-on-one sessions. Sometimes, conversations with friends and family members may be helpful, too.

Some symptoms of a superiority complex are similar to other mental health conditions. These include narcissistic personality disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, and bipolar disorder. Unlike superiority complex, these have definitive criteria for diagnosis. Your healthcare provider can rule out these and other conditions.

A superiority complex does not have a standard treatment. That’s because it is not considered an official diagnosis.

However, a healthcare professional or mental care provider can create a “treatment. ” This plan may help you to understand any underlying issues for boastful behavior. It will ultimately help you learn to handle them in a more beneficial manner.

Many people have feelings of inferiority and face setbacks. It’s how you learn to deal with those things that ultimately shapes your mental health. An expert, such as a psychologist, can help you learn to find solutions rather than create personas when you feel pressured.

Talk therapy is a common treatment for this complex. In these one-on-one sessions, a psychologist or therapist can help you properly assess your dilemmas. You can then craft more healthful responses. When you feel pressured in the future, you can use those tactics to help you overcome the feelings of weakness.

If you’re in a relationship with someone you believe has this complex, you can encourage them to seek treatment. At the same time, you may benefit from psychotherapy, too. A psychologist or therapist can help you learn to assess when your partner or family member is being honest and when they are feeling vulnerable.

You can help hold them accountable. You can also help encourage them in their quest to be more honest about their feelings and to identify new areas of growth in which they may succeed.

People with a superiority complex are unlikely to be a threat to anyone’s physical health. However, the continuous lies and exaggerations can become irritating to others and may negatively affect relationships.

If you’re in a relationship with a person you think has this issue, encourage them to seek help. They can find healthier ways of coping with hidden feelings.

You may also benefit from seeing a therapist, and you may consider seeing a therapist with your partner to learn more effective ways of expressing feelings to each other.

Acting superior or displaying other characteristics of a superiority complex is usually a way to mask or hide feelings of inferiority. If you believe you have a superiority complex, treatment from a mental health expert can help.

It takes time to work through these feelings and behaviors. It also requires awareness to avoid them again in the future. Dealing with a superiority complex is possible. Learning to have more honest, open dialogue with other people and how to set and pursue more realistic goals can help.

Inferiority complex: how to get rid of?

An inferiority complex is formed when a person is convinced that he does not meet generally accepted standards and norms in some respects. A person feels his own uselessness and inadequacy, comparing himself with a low-quality product that will soon be thrown into a landfill.

The feeling of inferiority arises in some people during a difficult life period, when the problem cannot be dealt with for a long time. Others feel inferior all the time. It is not a rational belief in the superiority of others that does not allow you to live fully, but the question “how to get rid of complexes?” does not go out of my head. A notorious person is overly self-critical and humiliates himself. What is the essence of the inferiority complex and how to get rid of it?

An inferiority complex is the first cause of neuroses. Get rid of the ballast and live fully!

Causes and signs of an inferiority complex

The causes of an inferiority complex lie in childhood. The sensation arises if a person has physiology deficiencies since childhood. The notorious member of society is brought up by the parents themselves with increased guardianship, which does not allow the child to learn to act and live independently. But the lack of parental attention is fraught with the development of the complex.

One negative situation can sow the seed of an inferiority complex, but a dysfunctional life in the family, lack of luck, constant criticism and negative suggestions from others will develop this feeling to the maximum extent.

A notorious person behaves defiantly, draws attention to his own person and does not adapt well in society. A person with an inferiority complex is afraid of making mistakes and often suffers from social phobia due to speech problems. It is worth noting that it is more difficult to notice signs of an inferiority complex in men than in women. This is due to the presence in their lives of the attributes of success and respectability – expensive cars, highly paid positions, expensive suits.

What is an inferiority complex really?

Complexity acts like a splinter. So that the unpleasant sensations from the “splinter” do not interfere with life, a person puts on a social mask. The superficial image is shown to others, but in fact the person’s personality is diametrically opposed.

An inferiority complex is generated by fears and self-doubt. A person worries that his superficial image will not withstand the onslaught of the world around him and he will face his own insecurities face to face. False social masks protect people from their own worthlessness and uselessness. In advanced cases of an inferiority complex, a person shows all the signs of megalomania, and sometimes aggression and tyranny.

In fact, a person with an inferiority complex dreams with all his heart that those people will be found who will accept him along with all the features and “cockroaches”. He himself wants to accept himself with all the shortcomings in order to stop self-flagellation. A notorious person expects praise and approval from others.

Dissolved in a sense of his own inferiority, a person will be what they call a loser. He relishes the unfulfillment and buries himself in it. Notorious people are unhappy, regardless of status and financial situation.

People with an inferiority complex are often envious and feel joy when others fail.

12 steps to get rid of an inferiority complex

It is necessary to get rid of the negative feeling of inferiority. Following simple recommendations and advice, you can overcome complexes and begin to think and look at life positively. So:

• Be aware of the reason for the feeling of inferiority.

Dig into your memories and determine at what point the development of the complex began. Find in your memory the situation that traumatized you and analyze it. Answer: what emotions did you experience then? What did you think about after an unpleasant situation? How much did the situation affect your feelings and thoughts? How long did you worry about the incident? The complex has been developing since childhood. Now that you’re an adult, it’s time to reevaluate. Write the negative beliefs you go through life with in a column on a piece of paper. On the contrary, indicate a new positive interpretation of the negative quality. Suppose that the negative belief that has become the basis of the complex is a lack of appearance (long nose, big ears, scar, etc.). Indicate on the other side of the sheet how this is compensated (beautiful smile, expressive look, slender figure, etc.). Destroy the negative part of the sheet, and read the second part daily until the positive beliefs become normal for you.

• Watch your own thinking.

The internal dialogue should be on a positive note. If negative beliefs arise in your head, immediately change them to positive or at least neutral ones. Think of your own character, appearance and behavior only from a positive point of view. It is impossible to abstract from the complex without changing the way of thinking.

• Analyze your own personality.

All people have strong and weak character traits. Analyze yourself. Knowing your own strengths will help you respond more calmly to the criticisms of others. Keep in mind that there should be more positive qualities than negative sides. If you have any difficulties, ask friends and family for help.

• Recognize the negatives.

Ignoring shortcomings will not lead to anything positive. Weaknesses of character need to be known and accepted, but there is no need to experience an inferiority complex in this regard. Everyone has unpleasant traits, but only by recognizing them, you can overcome the negative sides.

• Emphasize the virtues of character.

Whenever an inferiority complex takes over a situation, remember the positive qualities. Consciously shift your attention to the dignity of your own personality. Act persistently and soon you will notice that self-esteem has increased and the complex is defeated.

• Don’t take criticism personally.

Criticism is the subjective judgment of other people and nothing more. There may be some fairness in a critical statement that is worth listening to, but do not forget that the opinions of others are not the ultimate truth.

The reason for the inferiority complex is not in the statements of others, but in your own thoughts on this matter.

• Watch your own environment.

Cheerful and positive people put others in an optimistic mood. Communication with them supports in difficult moments and gives inspiration for new achievements and the development of one’s own life.

• Do not avoid contact with people.

Notorious people avoid communication with others. They are reserved and closed. Face fear in the face and don’t make up excuses to avoid communication. By following this advice, you will notice that people are quite positive about you and do not criticize you.

• Keep evolving.

Engage in physical, intellectual and spiritual development continuously. Learn new things on your own, read books, attend courses and trainings. As you develop, you will become an interesting conversationalist, and your self-esteem will increase.

• Find a role model or an idol.

A role model can be a person from the immediate environment, the hero of a book or film, a celebrity. Analyze the traits of his character that attract you. Periodically take on this role and gradually you will notice that the idol’s virtues will eventually become yours.

• Read optimistic literature.

Positive books with a positive plot will set you on an optimistic wave. After good literature, thoughts are painted in iridescent hues. Inspired by the books of Anthony Robbins, Anatoly Nekrasov and other authors.

• Keep a personal diary.

Write down the events of the day, your own achievements and positive moments in your personal diary or blog. Set aside at least 10 minutes a day for this.

Change your own thinking and outlook on life. You will not get rid of feelings of inferiority, complexes and negative thoughts if you do not make an effort to do so.

Inferiority complex

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Updated: 01 May 2021

Kirill Karpenko

Inferiority complex is a painful self-doubt, low self-esteem, a feeling of inferiority in comparison with other people. An inferiority complex is one of the symptoms of depression.

The concept of “inferiority complex” was introduced into scientific circulation by the Viennese psychoanalyst Alfred Adler .

Causes of an inferiority complex

Different factors can be the reasons for the development of an inferiority complex:

• physical handicap, defect;
• overprotection of a child, that is, excessive care leading to learned helplessness and dependence;
• under-custody over a child, that is, a lack of care for him, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity, insecurity and vulnerability;
• child abuse;
• discrimination;
• failures, errors;
• illogical, inadequate, negative thinking;
• non-constructive criticism and a pessimistic environment.

Compensation and elimination of the inferiority complex

The inferiority complex can lead to the development of the role of the victim, the desire to arouse self-pity, care and guardianship.

Or it can lead to a superiority complex, arrogance, boastfulness and arrogance.

An effective way to eliminate the inferiority complex is work and striving for achievements. Productive work and personal success raise self-esteem and lead to self-respect.

To prevent the development of an inferiority complex, it is necessary to properly educate children. On the one hand, the child must be given the necessary care and support. On the other hand, it is necessary to systematically encourage and develop the independence, diligence and responsibility of children.

To get rid of an inferiority complex, it is important to form an adequate, objective and positive outlook.

If an inferiority complex is caused by a negative environment, then one must learn to resist psychological pressure.

Alfred Adler on Inferiority Complex:

” The quest for superiority never goes away, and in fact it is what shapes the mind and psyche of a person. Life is the attainment of a goal or form, and the quest for superiority is the driving force for the attainment of form

Alfred Adler (1870-1937). healthy development, but this feeling becomes pathological only when a feeling of inadequacy , and this inhibits his useful activity, makes him depressive and incapable of development. In such a situation, the superiority complex can be one of the methods to avoid their difficulties.

A person with an inferiority complex pretends to be better than he really is, and this false success compensates for the feeling of inferiority that has become unbearable for him. A normal person does not have a shadow of a superiority complex . Of course, he strives to be superior to others in the sense that ambition and a desire to succeed are not alien to all of us, but as long as this desire is expressed in work, it does not lead to false assessments that underlie mental disorders. “

— Doctor, I have an inferiority complex!

depression

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