Psychology Facts

▲ Inferiority Complex ▲

》A complex is a core pattern of emotions, memories, perceptions, and wishes in the personal unconscious organized around a common theme, such as power or status.

》An inferiority complex is an intense personal feeling of inadequacy, often resulting in the belief that one is in some way deficient, or inferior, to others.

》The condition, which was first introduced by psychologist Alfred Adler in 1907, is characterized by distinct psychological symptoms that interfere with normal activities.

》Signs you may have one, according to Depression Alliance, include:

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:

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)

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

Genetic Predisposition

Society

Family of Origin

》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.

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

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."

》Treatment for this complex today usually involves one of two approaches, or a combination of both, and possibly medication as well:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychodynamic Therapy, or Talk Therapy

》Some necessary personal exercises / thought patters you need to practice include:

Avoid People who make you Feel Low

Positive Thinking

Find the Good in People