Essay Example on the Complexities of Inferiority & Superiority Complexes

Introduction

Inferiority Complex refers to the stagnation of growth whereby an individual views difficulties too immense to be overcome. The person suffering from Inferiority Complex becomes overwhelmed by a feeling of the lack of worthiness. Therefore, the patient feels that he or she will not be strong or intelligent enough. Superiority Complex refers to the condition in which neurotics are repressed hence leading to a feeling of superiority belief that one is way better than others. The individual suffering from Superiority Complex feels that his or her ideas are better than those of anyone else hence becoming arrogant and exaggerate their achievements (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This article compares and contrasts the two complexes while determining that both of these complexes makes people's lives difficult. The discussion is aimed at determining if it would be worse to have the inferiority or the superiority complex.

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Differences between the Superiority Complex and Inferiority Complex

An inferiority complex causes lack of covert self-esteem and self-worth. Most people with the inferiority complex cope with this situation by overcompensating in the other direction through being an overachiever, by socially isolating oneself from others, by developing an opposing superiority complex or even a combination of all these. On the other hand, a superiority complex is a coping mechanism that an individual grows to feel more powerful than others to deal with an inferiority complex. Individuals with a superiority complex may sometimes assert their superiority in spite of one's feeling of inferiority. It is important to note that every person who has a superiority complex will have an inferiority complex (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, not all persons who have inferiority complex develops a superiority complex since superiority complex is just one of the numerous ways of coping with the situation.

Inferiority means that the individual feels of lower station, rank, grade, or even degree, which is an inferior angle of the human mind. It is more dangerous that the superiority complex as the individual feels less adequate as compared to other people sometimes without an apparent reason. Such individuals may be a threat to their own lives since they feel unworthy and not good enough to live, which may lead to the development of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression or even suicidal tendencies. Persons suffering from superiority complex do not have much direct negative effect on their lives, but others since these people may have a personal superiority without any admixture of social interest. These persons are, however, a threat to others and are a second phase hence makes it less severe that the inferiority complex. This is a compensation feeling whereby one feels that he or she is better than others to feel more important.

Which is worse? Superiority Complex or Inferiority Complex?

From the discussion above, it is evident that inferiority complex is worse that superiority complex. Inferiority complex is a virulent form of depression and anxiety which leads to the development of the unstable human mind that can lead to severe actions such as suicidal tendencies since the patient may feel unworthy and hence develops the need to end their own lives. Inferiority complex is known to kill someone slowly as it destroys one's enthusiasm and energy as well as the will to live. This complex destroys the human reason for one's life and purpose to live. A person who does not have the inferiority complex will know that he or she has a meaning to live no matter the abyss or even soul-crushing situation the person may be in, he or she realizes that the life that they live is important and there is a purpose. Inferiority complex has a way to make all of this not crucial as it clouds the skills of a person and brings out the negative aspects of a person's life and abilities.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Pub. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-JivBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT18&dq=dsm+v&ots=ceTT22LJt9&sig=ncl7-fPMuCfaI495gvUTjO6crsY&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=dsm%20v&f=false