Low self-esteem is detrimental to your progress in life. When you fail to see the value in yourself, you miss out on meaningful opportunities.
People who believe in their worth tend to do better in school and their careers. They have good, healthy relationships, are less antisocial, and maintain good mental and physical health.
Chronically low self-esteem can easily become a full-fledged inferiority complex, sabotaging everything you do in life.
What is an inferiority complex?
An inferiority complex is a feeling of inferiority, whether real or imagined. These feelings can result from a physical weakness or a mental health condition that makes you feel less intelligent than others.
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It’s normal to have negative thoughts about what you’re capable of from time to time, but those feelings should lead to growth and development rather than imagined physical or psychological deficiency.
Feelings of inadequacy can cause people to withhold their blessings by excluding themselves in situations where they are fully capable of achieving their goals.
The idea of an inferiority complex is that you are less or more undeserving of something or everything than others.
What makes a person suffer from an inferiority complex?
There are several ways in which people with an inferiority complex may become this way.
Most often, these feelings are developed in childhood. Maybe you were invalidated or taught that you weren’t good enough.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, a person suffering from an inferiority complex may appear to suffer from a superiority complex. The latter is sometimes used as a response to feeling less than.
When looking at the inferiority complex versus the superiority complex, think of them as two sides of the same coin. The first is to overcompensate for those deep, dark feelings of inferiority.
Australian psychologist Alfred Adler coined the term “inferiority complex” out of his curiosity to understand why some of us lack the motivation and belief in ourselves to reach our ambitions.
Mental health professionals have also linked this condition to adult experiences, personality traits, and cultural messages that seem to emphasize our shortcomings.
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10 signs you have an inferiority complex
- You expect the worst.
One of the signs of an inferiority complex is catastrophic thinking. You assume the worst in every situation and automatically decide that people have bad intentions.
- You are antisocial.
People who feel inferior tend to avoid social situations. They are uncomfortable getting to know people for fear of their flaws being exposed.
- You give up easily
If you think you can’t do something, you won’t do it. People who feel helpless see no point in doing their best, so they give up after putting in little effort.
- You have negative self-talk.
The inferiority complex starts in your mind. You impose negative ideas about your identity and worth and project them into your life.
- You are often depressed.
When you have negative feelings and thoughts, your energy suffers, so it’s no surprise that these feelings can lead to depression.
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- You are overly competitive.
If you suffer from an inferiority complex, you will always try to convince yourself or others that you are worthy. This leads to excessive competitiveness.
When you compete with others and feel like you lost, your value in your eyes will decrease.
- You are very judgmental.
You tend to judge others harshly and point out their faults and shortcomings to distract yourself from those you think you have.
- You cannot accept criticism
In your view, criticism directed at you cannot be constructive. You can throw it away, but you can’t take it. Every negative word of feedback is taken personally and internalized.
- You fail to take responsibility.
It’s enough to make you feel bad about yourself. You refuse to take responsibility for any of your actions. Adding more negativity about yourself would be too much.
- You like to see others fail.
You like it when someone does worse than you. It makes you feel like you might be better than you thought. Now there is someone underneath you to make you feel good about yourself.
How to deal with an inferiority complex
One of the best ways to treat an inferiority complex is to find a therapist who can help you overcome your low self-esteem and the trauma you are experiencing.
Meditation and journaling are good additions to getting help from a mental health professional. This can help you write your thoughts down on paper and identify thought patterns and triggers.
Practicing self-love and self-care can go a long way in realizing the value it brings. Treat yourself the same way you expect others to treat you.
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