Inferiority complex is above those occasional inadequate and inferior feelings everyone experiences at some point in life. It makes someone less confident and critic themselves by a real or imagined inadequacy.
What does inferiority complex mean?
Definition of inferior. This means feeling like you are below others socially, physically, intellectually or psychologically.
Although everybody has at least felt inferior at some point in their life, the inferiority complex is broad. Its lasts for long from childhood and affects all aspects of one’s life. Individuals who possess inferiority complex normally don’t feel good enough and are always very sensitive.
Inferiority Complex vs. Low Self Esteem
Although psychologists say inferiority complex and low self-esteem might have the same meaning, they have slightly distinct conceptual meanings. Low Self-esteem is that feeling when one is in doubt and doesn’t believe in him or herself or his ability to do something and also when one doesn’t have a sense of self-worth. It’s just imagination or perception. Inferiority complex, on the other hand, results from low self-esteem and is all about the fact that an individual’s frequent thoughts of self-doubt and inadequacy affect how they interact, affect their relationships, emotions and the general view of everything.
Causes of Inferiority Complex
Inferiority is as a result of imagined or real feeling of inadequacy and inferiority. Inferiority complex is caused by the following factors:
Parental upbringing- kids who are brought up by caregivers are at high-risk pf developing inferiority complex and low self-esteem. This is because they always don’t agree to anything and are always critical of their actions and performance.
Social limitations- individuals may be placed at risk of inferiority complex if they are discriminated based on their race, family, educational level, sex, and even economic status.
Physical defects- feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem may be triggered by some physical defects such as weight issues, visual defects, skin diseases and burn wounds.
Symptoms Inferiority Complex
People are advised to recognize the signs of inferiority complex to understand themselves better and seek help. These signs are:
1) Social withdrawal
Individuals who possess inferiority complex always feel uncomfortable when they around people. This is because they imagine that others will find out they shouldn’t be part of them and this will embarrass them. These people usually find it hard to make new friends or keep the ones they have since they believe they are not good enough and the friends may look down on them.
2) Fault Finding
Making others feel inadequate or incompetent is a sign of inferiority complex. An inferiority complex person doesn’t usually feel the need to compliment or talk good about others. They make others feel bad to make themselves feel better. They just point the wrong things about others. They blame others for their own mistakes and don’t usually take blames.
3) Performance Anxiety
Individuals with an inferiority complex may feel apprehensive when asked to complete a task. This is because they believe they can’t accomplish as much as others. All these occur due to the fear of failure, fear of being criticized and laughed at. Leading to you feeling inadequate and believing that you can’t perform any task.
How to build your self-esteem. Below are ways you can build your self-esteem and become a more confident person:
1. Put self-compassion into practice
Be kind to yourself, this is one of the key steps to feeling less inferior. We all fail and make mistakes, get back up and try again until we succeed. If you keep this in mind you won’t be depressed and your anxiety will reduce. You need to be happy when you make a mistake since you’ll be able to learn from it and avoid its repetition in the future.
2. Discover your strengths
Low self-esteem always makes an individual’s weaknesses overwhelming. Inferiority complex individuals always pay attention to things they can’t do rather than those they can do. If you focus on things you can do, you’ll find yourself feeling much better and more confident about yourself.
3. Have positive relationships
Do away with individuals who constantly put you down and say demeaning things about you. Make a decision and be around people who inspire you and bring out the best in you. Just make friends with people who will help become a better individual.
4. Learn to say “NO”
Individuals with low self-esteem usually agree to everything. They do this because they don’t want to lose friendship with others and not because they want to. If you say no you learn to be more assertive and making your own needs clear to others. With time, you’ll gain respect, they will also respect your time and space since you had already set boundaries. You will feel better on your own through this.