8 Signs You May Have an Inferiority Complex
One telltale sign of an inferiority complex is constantly comparing yourself to others; another is believing that nothing you do is ever good enough.
Chances are you’ve experienced feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty at some point. But if a negative self-image persistently affects your daily life, you might have what’s called an inferiority complex.
The condition, which was first described by the psychologist Alfred Adler in 1907, is defined by the American Psychological Association as a basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity that can lead to behaviors ranging from withdrawal (rooted in fear and shyness) to excessive competition and aggression as a way to overcompensate.
“An inferiority complex refers to a deep-seated belief of being fundamentally inadequate or inferior to others,” says David Tzall, PsyD, a psychologist in private practice in New York City. “Individuals may constantly compare themselves to others and feel incapable of achieving success or happiness.”
These feelings of not measuring up to others that characterize an inferiority complex can be real or imagined. Left unchallenged, they can develop into deeper feelings of inadequacy and cause various other symptoms, according to a study published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences.
Many mental health professionals don’t use the term inferiority complex, and instead call the condition chronic low self-esteem, says Amy Flowers, PhD, a psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist in private practice in Macon, Georgia. Although it’s not a diagnosable condition according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this mindset is still recognized as a source of significant distress.
Symptoms of an inferiority complex go beyond occasional bouts of low self-esteem or worries about your abilities; they are persistent. If you think you or someone close to you might be struggling with an inferiority complex, here are eight signs to look out for.
Although it’s normal to feel insecure or less accomplished than others at times, those with an inferiority complex feel these things constantly. “It can be quite paralyzing to a person because no matter what you do, it never feels enough,” Dr. Tzall says.
If you feel insecure or unworthy most of the time, no matter who you’re with or what you’re doing, it could be a sign of inferiority complex.
A study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology analyzed various types of data from a group of teenagers to learn more about the relationship between self-esteem and loneliness. The researchers found that the connection between the two goes both ways; those with lower self-esteem are more likely to feel lonely because of it, and persistent feelings of loneliness can have a negative effect on self-esteem.
Interestingly, a person’s perceived level of social acceptance (how much they think other people like them) had a bigger impact on self-esteem than their actual level of social acceptance (how much other people actually like them).
“People with low self-esteem are likely to avoid social situations altogether to prevent exposing themselves to potential judgment or criticism,” Tzall says. “They may feel uncomfortable around others and believe that they won't measure up to their peers, leading them to isolate themselves.”
It’s almost impossible not to do in the age of social media, when friends and strangers alike are regularly sharing details of their lives. But that doesn’t mean it's good for you.
“Someone with low self-esteem will likely compare themselves negatively to others, often focusing on perceived strengths and successes of those around them,” Tzall says.
Constantly comparing yourself to others and concluding that you’ll never measure up could be a sign of an inferiority complex. So might finding fault in others to try to feel better about yourself.
We all make fun of ourselves sometimes, but someone with an inferiority complex “may engage in self-deprecating humor or make negative comments about themselves as a way to deflect potential criticism or to preemptively acknowledge their perceived shortcomings,” Tzall says.
It’s impossible to draw a distinct line between what’s funny and humanizing and what’s an attempt to cover up low self-esteem. But generally speaking, too much self-defeating humor isn’t a good thing.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2020 looked at four distinct types of humor and how they affected people’s overall well-being. The results showed that people who engaged mostly in the kind of humor that shines a positive light on themselves and those around them had higher levels of subjective well-being. On the flip side, those who engaged mostly in self-deprecating or aggressive humor had lower levels of subjective well-being.
If your go-to way to make others laugh is to put yourself down, it could be a mask for low self-esteem.
“Accepting compliments or positive feedback may be difficult for people with low self-esteem,” Tzall says. “They might dismiss [these comments] as insincere or attribute them to external factors rather than recognizing their own worth.”
This can look different from person to person. “Sometimes people are just very self-effacing and humble and will outright reject compliments,” Dr. Flowers says. “Other people don’t do all that. They accept the compliment, but privately feel like impostors, thinking, ‘If they really knew me, they wouldn’t say that.’”
The next time someone compliments you, notice what goes on inside your head. If you have an inferiority complex, you might immediately question or reject whatever the person has just said.
Although it’s not clear why, an inferiority complex might give you sleep problems. In a study of university students published in the journal BJPsych Open in May 2022, researchers found that low self-esteem was associated with higher levels of insomnia. Insomnia is complex and often has many contributing factors. But if you struggle with sleep, it could be worth exploring and strengthening your self-esteem.
Even though they’re considered opposing disorders, inferiority complex and superiority complex often overlap and coexist.
Superiority complex, according to the APA, is when someone has an exaggerated opinion of their own abilities and accomplishments. They may boast about themselves and overstate their achievements. Though that may seem incompatible with an inferiority complex, in Adler’s theory, as detailed in his 1930 book The Science of Living, a superiority complex is a way for someone to escape from and overcompensate for feelings of inadequacy.
Although perfectionism can come across as ambition and drive, it can also be a maladaptive trait stemming from feelings of inferiority. Defined by the APA as “the tendency to demand of others or of oneself an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation,” perfectionism can present in various ways.
The link between self-esteem and perfectionism is tricky, because to a degree, it’s beneficial to strive to be better. But a study published in BMC Psychology in 2022 found that lower self-esteem is associated with levels of perfectionism that cause distress and make it difficult to complete tasks or reach goals for fear of failure.
If you struggle with perfectionism that’s paralyzing, working to improve your self-esteem could help you shift toward behavior that propels you forward.
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