Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTraitsContributing FactorsSymptoms in YourselfSigns in Someone ElseHow to OvercomeProfessional Help and Coping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Traits
Contributing Factors
Symptoms in Yourself
Signs in Someone Else
How to Overcome
Professional Help and Coping
An inferiority complex is a tendency to feel inadequate or, as the term suggests, inferior to others. People with an inferiority complex typically havelow self-esteemand a lack of self-worth. This may lead to problems like social withdrawal or even lashing out due to insecurity.
Inferiority Complex Defined: What Are the Traits?
Inferiority Complex vs. Superiority ComplexThe opposite of an inferiority complex is a superiority complex, which is an elevated opinion of one’s positive traits compared to others. This may involve an actual belief in one’s inherent superiority. In many cases, however, this attitude is a defense mechanism that stems from underlying feelings of inadequacy.
Inferiority Complex vs. Superiority Complex
The opposite of an inferiority complex is a superiority complex, which is an elevated opinion of one’s positive traits compared to others. This may involve an actual belief in one’s inherent superiority. In many cases, however, this attitude is a defense mechanism that stems from underlying feelings of inadequacy.
Factors Contributing to an Inferiority Complex
While anyone can develop feelings of inferiority from time to time, certain factors make it more likely that you’ll develop an inferiority complex. These include:
Effects on Quality of Life
Ongoing feelings of inferiority can affect many aspects of your quality and life and overall well-being. For example, people with low self-esteem may avoid social events, opportunities at work, or romantic relationships. A low sense of self-efficacy sometimes becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy, leading to a worse performance at work or school.
An inferiority complex can also harm your relationships, as you may behave differently out of insecurity. Competing with others in unhealthy ways could lead to conflicts with colleagues or excessive jealousy in romantic relationships.
There are also some potential medical issues that can result from chronic low self-esteem. Some people may use drugs and alcohol to cope with negative emotions or to overcome their shyness in social settings. Others develop mental health conditions, such asdepression.
Some research even suggests that trauma survivors with an inferiority complex experience higher levels of chronic physical pain than people with healthy self-esteem.
An inferiority complex isn’t a mental health condition in and of itself, so there are no agreed-upon tests or official diagnostic criteria for it. Still, you may have an inferiority complex if you:
Many of the signs of an inferiority complex in someone else are the same as those you might notice in yourself. Your friend, family member, partner, or colleague may isolate themselves socially or express frequent self-doubt. They might perceive themselves as less attractive, successful, or likable than others.
You might also notice behavioral patterns that are rooted in a sense of inadequacy. For example, a friend who seems jealous of your success or a co-worker who subtly tries to undermine your accomplishments could be experiencing insecurity.
Supporting Someone With an Inferiority ComplexIf someone you know struggles with feelings of inferiority, it can help to lend a listening ear. Allowing them to talk through their feelings and worries without judgment may help them feel less alone.Reassuring them to the extent that you’re comfortable and encouraging them to seek therapy if necessary might also be helpful. Spending quality time with your friend or loved one doing something you both enjoy can boost their confidence.
Supporting Someone With an Inferiority Complex
If someone you know struggles with feelings of inferiority, it can help to lend a listening ear. Allowing them to talk through their feelings and worries without judgment may help them feel less alone.Reassuring them to the extent that you’re comfortable and encouraging them to seek therapy if necessary might also be helpful. Spending quality time with your friend or loved one doing something you both enjoy can boost their confidence.
If someone you know struggles with feelings of inferiority, it can help to lend a listening ear. Allowing them to talk through their feelings and worries without judgment may help them feel less alone.
Reassuring them to the extent that you’re comfortable and encouraging them to seek therapy if necessary might also be helpful. Spending quality time with your friend or loved one doing something you both enjoy can boost their confidence.
How to Overcome an Inferiority Complex
Professional Inferiority Complex Help and Coping
Psychotherapy can help you build your self-esteem and develop healthy coping strategies when you’re faced with stress or pressure. For example,cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is designed to help you identify and disrupt negative thoughts and behavioral patterns that could get in your way.
A mental health provider can also diagnose you with any underlying condition you may have, such as an anxiety or mood disorder.
Summary
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Inferiority complex.American Psychological Association.Compensation.American Psychological Association.Superiority complex.Shen H, Li M, Li L.Influence of social exclusion on the inferiority feeling of community youth.Iran J Public Health. 2022;51(7):1576-1584. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i7.10091Liu C.Research on the influence of college students' participation in sports activities on their sense of inferiority based on self-esteem and general self-efficacy.Front Psychol. 2022;13:994209. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.994209Wang SJ, Rushiti F, Sejdiu X, et al.Survivors of war in northern Kosovo (III): The role of anger and hatred in pain and PTSD and their interactive effects on career outcome, quality of sleep and suicide ideation.Confl Health. 2012;6(1):4. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-6-4Yang D, Qiu B, Jiang J, et al.Development of inferiority-compensation scale among high school students.BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):23. doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03979-3National Health Service.Helping others with mental health problems.National Health Service.Raising low self-esteem.American Psychological Association.Positive relationships boost self-esteem, and vice versa.MedlinePlus.How to improve mental health.University of Utah Health.The power of self-talk: Boosting confidence and performance.Langford K, McMullen K, Bridge L, et al.A cognitive behavioural intervention for low self-esteem in young people who have experienced stigma, prejudice, or discrimination: An uncontrolled acceptability and feasibility study.Psychol Psychother. 2022;95(1):34-56. doi:10.1111/papt.12361
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Inferiority complex.American Psychological Association.Compensation.American Psychological Association.Superiority complex.Shen H, Li M, Li L.Influence of social exclusion on the inferiority feeling of community youth.Iran J Public Health. 2022;51(7):1576-1584. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i7.10091Liu C.Research on the influence of college students' participation in sports activities on their sense of inferiority based on self-esteem and general self-efficacy.Front Psychol. 2022;13:994209. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.994209Wang SJ, Rushiti F, Sejdiu X, et al.Survivors of war in northern Kosovo (III): The role of anger and hatred in pain and PTSD and their interactive effects on career outcome, quality of sleep and suicide ideation.Confl Health. 2012;6(1):4. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-6-4Yang D, Qiu B, Jiang J, et al.Development of inferiority-compensation scale among high school students.BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):23. doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03979-3National Health Service.Helping others with mental health problems.National Health Service.Raising low self-esteem.American Psychological Association.Positive relationships boost self-esteem, and vice versa.MedlinePlus.How to improve mental health.University of Utah Health.The power of self-talk: Boosting confidence and performance.Langford K, McMullen K, Bridge L, et al.A cognitive behavioural intervention for low self-esteem in young people who have experienced stigma, prejudice, or discrimination: An uncontrolled acceptability and feasibility study.Psychol Psychother. 2022;95(1):34-56. doi:10.1111/papt.12361
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Inferiority complex.American Psychological Association.Compensation.American Psychological Association.Superiority complex.Shen H, Li M, Li L.Influence of social exclusion on the inferiority feeling of community youth.Iran J Public Health. 2022;51(7):1576-1584. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i7.10091Liu C.Research on the influence of college students' participation in sports activities on their sense of inferiority based on self-esteem and general self-efficacy.Front Psychol. 2022;13:994209. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.994209Wang SJ, Rushiti F, Sejdiu X, et al.Survivors of war in northern Kosovo (III): The role of anger and hatred in pain and PTSD and their interactive effects on career outcome, quality of sleep and suicide ideation.Confl Health. 2012;6(1):4. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-6-4Yang D, Qiu B, Jiang J, et al.Development of inferiority-compensation scale among high school students.BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):23. doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03979-3National Health Service.Helping others with mental health problems.National Health Service.Raising low self-esteem.American Psychological Association.Positive relationships boost self-esteem, and vice versa.MedlinePlus.How to improve mental health.University of Utah Health.The power of self-talk: Boosting confidence and performance.Langford K, McMullen K, Bridge L, et al.A cognitive behavioural intervention for low self-esteem in young people who have experienced stigma, prejudice, or discrimination: An uncontrolled acceptability and feasibility study.Psychol Psychother. 2022;95(1):34-56. doi:10.1111/papt.12361
American Psychological Association.Inferiority complex.
American Psychological Association.Compensation.
American Psychological Association.Superiority complex.
Shen H, Li M, Li L.Influence of social exclusion on the inferiority feeling of community youth.Iran J Public Health. 2022;51(7):1576-1584. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i7.10091
Liu C.Research on the influence of college students' participation in sports activities on their sense of inferiority based on self-esteem and general self-efficacy.Front Psychol. 2022;13:994209. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.994209
Wang SJ, Rushiti F, Sejdiu X, et al.Survivors of war in northern Kosovo (III): The role of anger and hatred in pain and PTSD and their interactive effects on career outcome, quality of sleep and suicide ideation.Confl Health. 2012;6(1):4. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-6-4
Yang D, Qiu B, Jiang J, et al.Development of inferiority-compensation scale among high school students.BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):23. doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03979-3
National Health Service.Helping others with mental health problems.
National Health Service.Raising low self-esteem.
American Psychological Association.Positive relationships boost self-esteem, and vice versa.
MedlinePlus.How to improve mental health.
University of Utah Health.The power of self-talk: Boosting confidence and performance.
Langford K, McMullen K, Bridge L, et al.A cognitive behavioural intervention for low self-esteem in young people who have experienced stigma, prejudice, or discrimination: An uncontrolled acceptability and feasibility study.Psychol Psychother. 2022;95(1):34-56. doi:10.1111/papt.12361
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