Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnosisPersonality TraitsCausesConcept of SelfCommunicationEffects on Self-EsteemTips for Coping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diagnosis
Personality Traits
Causes
Concept of Self
Communication
Effects on Self-Esteem
Tips for Coping
The term “God complex” is used to describe a person who believes they have exceptional power or authority and are superior to others. It is not considered a mental illness on its own, per the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5). That said, God complex in psychology is often present in people who havenarcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
People who experience a God complex have a heightened sense of self and believe their abilities to be unmatched.
Tom Merton / Getty Images
God Complex: A Real Diagnosis?
There are two primary types of narcissistic personality disorder: vulnerable and grandiose. People with a God complex typically have grandiose narcissistic personality disorder.
God Complex vs. Narcissistic Personality DisorderNarcissistic personality disorder is a diagnosable disorder that presents with various symptoms and personality traits. A person with narcissistic personality disorder is likely to have a God complex if they have grandiose notions of their abilities, influence, or power. People without narcissistic personality disorder can also have a God complex, but it is more likely to develop in those with the disorder.
God Complex vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder is a diagnosable disorder that presents with various symptoms and personality traits. A person with narcissistic personality disorder is likely to have a God complex if they have grandiose notions of their abilities, influence, or power. People without narcissistic personality disorder can also have a God complex, but it is more likely to develop in those with the disorder.
God Complex Personality Traits
People with a God complex are likely to experience feelings of superiority over others. Because they see themselves as better than others, here are some common behaviors someone with a God complex might display:
God Complex vs. Superiority DisorderA superiority disorder is the belief that you are better than others and that your abilities and the things you have accomplished are much more impressive than those around you. It is typically associated with feelings of lack and used as a coping mechanism.Superiority disorder is part of a God complex and narcissistic personality disorder. A God complex and narcissistic personality disorder will present with more than feelings of superiority.
God Complex vs. Superiority Disorder
A superiority disorder is the belief that you are better than others and that your abilities and the things you have accomplished are much more impressive than those around you. It is typically associated with feelings of lack and used as a coping mechanism.Superiority disorder is part of a God complex and narcissistic personality disorder. A God complex and narcissistic personality disorder will present with more than feelings of superiority.
A superiority disorder is the belief that you are better than others and that your abilities and the things you have accomplished are much more impressive than those around you. It is typically associated with feelings of lack and used as a coping mechanism.
Superiority disorder is part of a God complex and narcissistic personality disorder. A God complex and narcissistic personality disorder will present with more than feelings of superiority.
Causes of God Complex
The exact cause of a God complex isn’t known, partly because it is not a diagnosable disorder. It is often a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. There is also no knowncause of narcissistic personality disorder.
That said, some factors come into play that can increase the likelihood of someone developing grandiose narcissistic personality disorder.
Most of the factors associated with the development ofnarcissistic personalitydisorder occur during childhood development. They include:
In some cases, people who go into careers with high importance or power status can develop a God complex, even if they do not have narcissistic personality disorder. One of the most notable examples would be surgeons and other doctors. They do important work, some of it affecting life and death; feeling as though a person’s life is in their hands can, over time, lead them to develop a God complex.
NPD and Genetics/BiologyThe onset of narcissistic personality disorder is complex, but research has found that some biological and genetic factors may increase a person’s chances of developing it. NPD can be inheritable.
NPD and Genetics/Biology
The onset of narcissistic personality disorder is complex, but research has found that some biological and genetic factors may increase a person’s chances of developing it. NPD can be inheritable.
Because of how they see themselves, they can engage in destructive behaviors that lead to damaging consequences for others. However, they do not see their actions or behaviors as damaging, as they blame others for issues arising from their behavior.
People with a God complex also like to control every situation they are a part of. They are not above usingmanipulative tacticsto get what they want and even go so far as to use aggression or force in their pursuits.
How Can You Tell if Someone Has a God Complex?It can be challenging to spot a God complex unless you are aware of the behaviors and personality traits that accompany it. If someone possesses the following, they may have a God complex:A high sense of entitlementControlling or jealous behaviorInability to accept or handle criticismBelieving they are always the most intelligent person in the room and rejecting other people’s opinions or thoughtsFeeling as though they are invincible and as if no one could come close to their superiorityBlatantly ignoring the needs of others as they see fit in the pursuit of having their needs metA disregard for others' feelings concerning their harmful actions
How Can You Tell if Someone Has a God Complex?
It can be challenging to spot a God complex unless you are aware of the behaviors and personality traits that accompany it. If someone possesses the following, they may have a God complex:A high sense of entitlementControlling or jealous behaviorInability to accept or handle criticismBelieving they are always the most intelligent person in the room and rejecting other people’s opinions or thoughtsFeeling as though they are invincible and as if no one could come close to their superiorityBlatantly ignoring the needs of others as they see fit in the pursuit of having their needs metA disregard for others' feelings concerning their harmful actions
It can be challenging to spot a God complex unless you are aware of the behaviors and personality traits that accompany it. If someone possesses the following, they may have a God complex:
Communicating With Someone With a God Complex
Communicating with someone with a God complex can be challenging because they are not receptive to others' needs, opinions, or ideas. They believe themselves to be the best at everything and are unlikely to participate in an equal give or take when communicating with others or in relationships.
Because a God complex is present in narcissistic personality disorder, it’s essential to learn how people with the disorder and the symptoms approach their relationships with others so that you can communicate effectively with them whilesetting boundariesfor yourself.
The first step is learning to recognize certain behaviors that stem from the God complex, such as:
If you have difficulty recognizing the behaviors harmful to your relationship with a person with a God complex, speak to trusted friends, family, or a psychologist. They can help you see the situation more clearly and recognize abusive situations.
God Complex and NPD in Relation to Emotional IntelligenceSince people with grandiose narcissistic personality disorder and a God complex see themselves in a more positive light than others, they also see their ability to identify with others as heightened. However, research has found that their emotional intelligence is used to manipulate others instead of understanding and empathizing. This makes open and authentic communication difficult.
God Complex and NPD in Relation to Emotional Intelligence
Since people with grandiose narcissistic personality disorder and a God complex see themselves in a more positive light than others, they also see their ability to identify with others as heightened. However, research has found that their emotional intelligence is used to manipulate others instead of understanding and empathizing. This makes open and authentic communication difficult.
High self-esteem is beneficial. People who see themselves positively are more likely to have the confidence to try for and succeed at certain endeavors and can also easily maintain healthy and positive relationships.
While people with a God complex do tend to have high self-esteem, their self-worth is so elevated it can harm their ability to establish healthy long-term professional and personal relationships with others.
Since people with a God complex have exceptionally high self-esteem, it may be easy to assume that they, too, can use it to their advantage. However, since their inflated sense of self leads to destruction and damaged relationships, there is no advantage to having the complex.
Treatment and Management
Having a God complex alongside narcissistic personality disorder can be challenging for the person experiencing it andthose around them.
Because a God complex is a symptom of a narcissistic personality disorder, rather than a diagnosable disorder itself, most research is centered on treating narcissistic personality disorder, often through transference-focused psychotherapy.
The good news is that people can cope with having a God complex if they seek treatment from a mental health professional. Some tips for overcoming a God complex include:
Summary
A God complex, on its own, is not a mental health diagnosis. Medical professionals are still developing proper therapeutic approaches to address the feelings and actions of those with a God complex.
10 Sources
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