You are invited to a friend’s party at their house. They introduce you to their colleague, whose clothes, luxury watch, and latest iPhone model cause a crippling sense of insecurity in you. Even when you return home, you can’t stop thinking about them. How can I be as successful and rich? You brood over these thoughts while lying in bed, unable to sleep. As you compare your achievements with your friend’s colleague, you discredit all the hard work you have put into your career and life. This feeling of self-doubt and insecurity is referred to as inferiority complex. American Psychological Association defines inferiority complex as “a basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, deriving from actual or imagined physical or psychological deficiency.”
Viennese psychoanalyst, Alfred Adler first proposed this term in 1907. According to Adler, inferiority complexes are of two types: primary and secondary. Primary inferiority is believed to emerge in childhood, which stems from feelings of inadequacy and constant comparison to others. When ignored, these feelings can spill into adulthood. Secondary inferiority dawns in adulthood, which emerges when people feel inferior as a result of not meeting their personal goals.
While it is normal for us to compare ourselves to others, an unhealthy obsession with perfection and the drive to become better and more successful than those around us could lead to negative thinking and mental health issues. Moreover, if you feel pressured due to social expectations and find it hard to receive constructive criticism to the point that you perceive the opinions of others as a personal attack, chances are that you are suffering from an inferiority complex. If you are constantly getting bogged down by these negative feelings, these tips can help you tackle and nip them in the bud.
Build self-confidence
Self-confidence enables you to place trust in your capabilities. You feel worthy and have a sense of self-belief, irrespective of what others think about you. It’s an important step in tackling your inferiority complex. It’s all about changing I cannot to I can. Whenever feelings of self-doubt creep in due to low self-esteem, remind yourself of what you are capable of. When you make a mistake, instead of delving into too much negative self-criticism, tell yourself that you still have the chance to learn from it and improve in the future. Identify the instances when negative self-talk—thoughts that create fear and anxiety and make you feel miserable—rears its ugly head. Replace those perturbing thoughts with encouraging affirmations.
Embrace your strengths
Anna Freud, who established the field of child psychoanalysis, famously said, “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” Your strengths are what define you, but when you are dealing with an inferiority complex, you may focus more on your weaknesses than strengths. You can counter this by reminding yourself that your strengths can get you through adversities. Begin by noting down your strong points, and things you are good at, and think about how you can amplify them to triumph over negativity.
Embracing personal strengths and acknowledging one’s capabilities helps counteract feelings of self-doubt. Surrounding oneself with supportive people who encourage and uplift and practise self-care, following a healthy lifestyle, and engaging in activities that bring joy contribute to alleviating symptoms of an inferiority complex.
Self-confidence is a crucial tool in overcoming an inferiority complex. It involves placing trust in one’s capabilities, believing in oneself, and changing negative self-perceptions.
Focusing on personal strengths and achievements helps shift the focus from weaknesses to areas of competence. Celebrating accomplishments and amplifying strengths can empower individuals to overcome negative self-comparisons and regain a sense of self-worth and confidence.
An inferiority complex is a feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, stemming from real or imagined physical or psychological deficiencies. It has two types: primary, which emerges in childhood and results from constant comparison to others, and secondary, which arises in adulthood due to unmet personal goals.
Building self-confidence involves trusting one’s capabilities and fostering a sense of self-belief. By changing negative self-talk to positive affirmations and focusing on learning from mistakes, individuals can tackle feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem.
Embracing one’s strengths and focusing on personal accomplishments can counter the tendency to dwell on weaknesses. By recognizing and amplifying their strong points, individuals gain the resilience to overcome negativity.
Being around supportive individuals who encourage and uplift can boost positivity and eliminate negative thoughts associated with feelings of inferiority.
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