Cali Estes, Ph. D , founder of The Addictions Academy, tells Bustle. According to Dr. Estes, they learned early on that they can treat any individual the way they want, and get what they want. If you're around someone who has a superiority complex and you don't act the way they expect, they might get mean.
That's because they like being right, and they like the feeling of being in control. People with superiority complexes also tend to shoot for leadership positions at work as it helps to validate them.
Having a superiority complex doesn't always make someone a bad person. Like Lowery says, it's usually a result of emotional pain. For some, therapy can help them work through their feelings of inferiority so they don't have to act out in ways that hurt themselves and others. It's possible to overcome these feelings. They just need to be willing to self-reflect and make positive internal changes. Nickia Lowery , licensed professional counselor. Sanam Hafeez , neuropsychologist and faculty member at Columbia University.
If they've become abusive, hurtful, or vitriolic, tell them that they're being unkind or arrogant. It is also immensely helpful to help them recognize their weaknesses in such a way that it doesn't tear down their self-esteem but rather shows them areas they can work on so they can become more highly regarded by those around them.
Having a superiority complex doesn't automatically mean you're a horrible person who should be shunned. With the right tools, this can be navigated and lead to healthy and meaningful relationships with those around you and, more importantly, yourself. If you have concerns or more questions, it could be worth discussing it further with a professional.
And as you do so, remember that your personality isn't unchangeable, and you are more than your struggles. Want your passion for wellness to change the world?
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Explore Classes. Stephanie Barnes is a freelance writer from Kingston, Jamaica. Expert review by Kristina Hallett, Ph. Board-certified Clinical Psychologist. Kristina Hallett, Ph. She has a private practice in Suffield, Connecticut. October 16, In This Article. What it means to have a superiority complex. Common signs to look out for:. The need to be in control. An overarching belief that you're better than others.
Epic displays of anger or contempt when others don't recognize your talent or skill. Inability to take criticism. Persistent low self-esteem. Feelings of entitlement. What causes a superiority complex? 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. 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. 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. Multiple situations or incidents may be the root cause. For example, it may be the result of multiple failures. 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. 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.
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