We all worry at times about our abilities.
What Is Inferiority Complex?
The feeling could be rooted in a real physical or psychological deficiency, or an imagined one.
Importantly, inferiority complex is different from occasional feelings of inferiority.
You call yourself names, lament your shortcomings, and believe that your intense self-criticism is reasonable.
Just when your self-esteem is most fragile, you attack it even further.
If you’re constantly comparing yourself to others and coming up short, you may have an inferiority complex.
This cycle is so deeply rooted that it consistently holds you back personally and professionally.
What Causes Inferiority Complex?
Feeling that it all must be your fault, you undervalue yourself chronically.
And when they compare themselves, they compare themselves only to the most successful people.
You get what you expect and people with very low self-esteem expect very little, Dr. Its a self-fulfilling prophecy.
As disappointments mount, you become more discouraged and more vulnerable to being biased against yourself.
This leads to social isolation, which can make self-esteem even worse.
They may seek to assert their dominance, belittle others, or display an attitude of condescension.
People with very low self-esteem dont take risks, Flowers says.
They dont try things and they end up missing out on many opportunities.
The link with depression is particularly strong.
In addition to depression and anxiety, low self-esteem is often associated witheating disorders.
Quiz: Do You Have an Inferiority Complex?
Take this quiz and find out if your self-esteem needs a boost.
There is tons and tons of evidence of the effectiveness of CBT, says Maddux.
Am I really a totally incompetent person who never does anything right, or is that a cognitive distortion?
Cognitive distortions are thought patterns that erode self-esteem.
If someone sends you a nice birthday card, put it in the victory file.
A gratitude journal can be similarly helpful, Flowers says.
Over time, these symptoms might contribute to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
An inferiority complex can stem from unkind remarks from caregivers, comparisons with societys standards, or even genetics.
