We all occasionally get down on ourselves and worry if we're measuring up to the people around us. That's a common experience. (Right?!) But an inferiority complex, characterized by the American Psychological Association as a "basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity" based on an "actual or imagined physical or psychological deficiency," is a bit deeper than that.
Think of it like a persistent boogeyman constantly lurking in the shadows reminding you that you're not as good as the people around you, either in one specific thing (like running or flirting) or in general. "An inferiority complex is a kind of chronic feeling like you're inadequate, you're under equipped, you're not good enough compared to other people," says clinical psychologist Ryan Howes, PhD.
This constant feeling of falling short compared to others can be a huge burden and keep you from living your life the way you want. Whether it's sitting out social events, trying to just blend in at work, or going to extremes to make up for feeling unqualified for everyday tasks, an inferiority complex can keep you stuck and unsatisfied.
So what can you do about it? We asked the experts to explain more about what an inferiority complex is, why it happens, and how you can work through it.
What is an inferiority complex?
Like we said, an inferiority complex is an unshakeable feeling of not being good enough. And it's also a theoretical framework, coined by psychologist Alfred Adler in 1907, that tries to explain how a person may behave when they feel less than others, says psychologist Jenny Wang, PhD.
Though it's not a clinical diagnosis you'd find in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, this is definitely a thought pattern mental health pros see in their practice, says Dr. Wang. That can show up as a client believing that they're somehow less competent, less capable, or less equipped to address certain roles or tasks in their life than others, she explains.
Yeah, this does sound a lot like low self-esteem, and an inferiority complex definitely falls under that umbrella. That said, this mental health struggle is specific to how someone feels about themselves in comparison to others, whether that's in one area or life in general, says Dr. Howes. "The term inferior is always used in relation to someone else," he says. "It's about, 'How do I measure up to other people?'"
Keep reading to find out what causes an inferiority complex and how to tell if you have one.
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar