Signs You May Have An Inferiority Complex

The Warning Signs of an Inferiority Complex.

There's a good chance you've felt uncertain and self-conscious at some point. However, if your daily life is consistently impacted by a poor perception of yourself, you may be suffering from an inferiority complex.
The American Psychological Association describes the condition, which was first identified by the psychologist Alfred Adler in 1907, as a fundamental sense of inadequacy and insecurity that can result in behaviours ranging from withdrawal to excessive competition and aggression as a way to overcompensate.
A deep-seated conviction that one is essentially inadequate or inferior to others is referred to as an inferiority complex. People who continuously contrast themselves with others may feel like failures or unhappy people.
An inferiority complex is characterised by emotions of inferiority, which can be real or imagined. If not addressed, they can deepen into feelings of inadequacy and result in a number of additional symptoms.

The signs of an inferiority complex are persistent and go beyond brief episodes of low self-esteem or self-doubt. Following are eight warning flags to watch out for if you believe that you or a close friend or family member may be experiencing an inferiority complex.

1. Feeling incomplete, unworthy, or insecure
Even while it's common to occasionally feel uncertain or less capable than others, people with inferiority complexes have these feelings all the time. It can be quite paralysing to a person because no matter what you do, it never feels like enough.
It may be an indication of an inferiority complex if you frequently feel inadequate or unworthy, regardless of who you're with or what you're doing.

2. Isolation and withdrawal from social situations.
To avoid being exposed to potential judgement or criticism, people with low self-esteem are more prone to completely shun social events. They may isolate themselves since they don't feel comfortable around other people and don't think they can compete with their peers.
3. Making Comparisons to Others.

A person with low self-esteem is likely to make negative comparisons to others, frequently focusing on the perceived positive traits and accomplishments of people around them.
An inferiority complex could be evident if you constantly evaluate yourself in comparison to others and come to the conclusion that you'll never measure up. It's also possible to criticise others in an effort to feel better about oneself.

4. Excessive Self-Deprecating Humour
Everyone occasionally makes fun of themselves, but those who suffer from inferiority complexes may do so to avoid criticism or to proactively admit their perceived flaws.
It is impossible to tell what is humorous and humanising and what is an attempt to hide low self-esteem. However, excessive self-deprecating humour is often not a good thing.

5. Difficulty Accepting Compliments "People with poor self-esteem may find it difficult to accept compliments or positive remarks. Instead of appreciating their own value, they can disregard [these statements] as untrue or blame other factors.
Depending on the individual, this may look differently. Sometimes people are just really modest and self-effacing, and they will flatly reject compliments. Other folks don't act in such a manner. Although they take the comment, they secretly feel fake since they believe that if they really know them, they wouldn't say that.

6. Sleep issues
An inferiority mentality may cause you to have sleep issues, though it's unclear why. Researchers discovered that more sleeplessness was linked to low self-esteem. The causes of insomnia are numerous and complicated. But if sleep is a problem for you, it can be worthwhile to investigate and build your self-esteem.

7. Superiority Complex
Superiority complex and inferiority complex frequently coexist despite being viewed as opposite diseases.
An overinflated sense of one's own skills and accomplishments is known as a superiority complex. They could exaggerate their accomplishments and make themselves look good. A superiority complex is a means for someone to run away from and overcompensate for feelings of inadequacy.

8. Perfectionist tendencies
It can be difficult to draw a connection between perfectionism and self-esteem because, in some cases, striving for improvement can be advantageous. Researchers discovered that higher levels of perfectionism, which are distressing and prevent people from completing tasks or achieving goals out of a fear of failing, are linked to lower levels of self-esteem.
Working on raising your self-esteem may help you change your behaviour to one that moves you ahead if perfectionism paralyses you.