What Is An Inferiority Complex, And How Can I Overcome it?

Sometimes, people might begin to feel like they are worse than others. They may have a hard time getting over these emotions, at which point they may have developed an inferiority complex. However, there are many tools and resources available to help people manage these emotions.

A review of the inferiority complex

An inferiority complex can occur when someone feels as though they are subpar or otherwise less than others. 

There are many reasons individuals may develop an inferiority complex; sometimes, other people might convince someone to believe that they are less popular, gifted, important, or wanted. In other scenarios, these feelings can be more internal.

Some people with inferiority complexes might overcompensate and act in ways to mask their true feelings about themselves. However, overcompensating generally involves going from one extreme to another; a person who has an inferiority complex trying to keep it under wraps may try to bring other individuals down. This may be seen in bullying, harassment, and other negative behaviors.

Factors

Sometimes, the events in an individual's life can lead to the development of an inferiority complex. When someone constantly feels rejected, overlooked, or prone to experiencing bad luck, it can be challenging to not take it personally. Not everyone who goes through tough times will develop an inferiority complex; it can all depend on the person at hand and other factors present in their lives.

Sometimes, inferiority complexes can develop in exclusive areas in someone's life instead of feelings of overall inferiority. A common example of this is in the workforce. Individuals who have had trouble getting or keeping employment may believe that they are not valuable in the professional world. This can cause them to undervalue themselves or stay in a job they don’t enjoy out of worry of not being able to get another job.

Symptoms

Withdrawing from other people may be one of the core indicators of an inferiority complex. An individual who regularly keeps their distance from others may fear embarrassment or being made fun of. Moreover, an inferiority complex can lead someone to believe that they don't deserve to be around other people who they believe to be better than them. Obviously, this type of mindset can be very unhealthy and can have the power to impact an afflicted individual's mental and emotional health adversely.

Like social withdrawal, a defeatist attitude can also be very common among people with an inferiority complex. The individual at hand may assign blame to fate, destiny, the universe, people in their environment, and other external factors. Generally, people with inferiority complexes may also harbor an external focus of control, thus believing themselves to be victims of circumstance. A healthier approach could be to remind oneself that, as human beings, we have the power to make decisions that improve our situations, and while we often can’t control our reality, we can control how we respond to it.

Emotional sensitivity tends to go hand in hand with an inferiority complex. Even if someone with this issue is given constructive criticism, which they can use to improve, the advice may not be internalized in this manner and may instead be met with defensiveness. 

How to overcome an inferiority complex

An inferiority complex is not permanent. With the right tools, actions, and strategies, someone with an inferiority complex  can overcome anything that makes them feel as though they are subpar to others. The following tips can guide you on how to manage an inferiority complex.

Get to the root of the complex

Many inferiority complexes can be traced back to a certain situation or individual. Getting to the root of these symptoms can require you to do some personal evaluation and determine in which areas you might feel less-than. An inferiority complex could be rooted in financial woes, relationship struggles, or even rifts within the workplace. Each situation varies, but to heal and get to the bottom of this issue, identifying the cause can be helpful.

Let go of other people's perceptions

Fear of how other people may perceive you often leads to an inferiority complex or feeds into an already present complex. Learning how to let go of what others might think and focusing on yourself and what you think matters. At the end of the day, there will likely always be individuals who have their opinions of you. Nobody can control what another person thinks of them. Focusing on yourself and being someone who makes you happy is what ultimately matters when it's all said and done.

Engage in positive self talk

How you talk to yourself matters. Self-talk can have the power to birth or kill an inferiority complex. Instead of telling yourself, "I can't do this," or "They won't like me," tell yourself, "I can do this," and "I'll be OK whether they like me or not." You are likely to internalize what you repeatedly tell yourself. This can make a very powerful difference.

Be mindful of your inner circle

Just as your internal self-talk can make a difference, so can your inner circle. Are you around caring, positive people who uplift you, or are you around an inner circle that belittles you and causes you to doubt yourself? If the people you around fall into the latter category, it may be time for a change. Your inner circle can easily lead to the development of an inferiority complex if they are negative individuals who routinely bring you down. 

Take good care of yourself

How you treat yourself can make a difference. It can also send a message to yourself about your worth. Individuals who truly value and love themselves, take care of themselves. This can mean living a healthy lifestyle, making smart choices, getting to know yourself, indulging in personal hobbies, and knowing when to take a break. 

Overcome an inferiority complex in online therapy

Depending on the nature of the issue you face, be it an inferiority complex or something else entirely, you may benefit from asking for help. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you can't do everything on your own; human beings were not created or meant to be isolated and alone all the time.