Know the Signs of Inferiority Complex

I was skinny in high school. Not your regular skinny. Skinny, so my clothes hung off of me. Painfully thin, I wore glasses and had braces -I was awkward and gangly. I did not play any sports, nor did I take part in any extra-curricular activities in school.

I was just a skinny kid, bullied because, well, back in the day, my bullies didn’t have too many entertainment options. When I grew up timid, low on confidence, without self-esteem, and always self-doubting, the squid told me I had something they called an inferiority complex.

For the uninitiated, an inferiority complex is a constant feeling of being inferior, inadequate or worthless based on real or perceived shortcomings. An umbrella term, “inferiority complex,” describes a chronic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity.

As humans, we all have times when we feel inadequate or insufficient. Sometimes it is okay to experience inadequacy; sometimes, it can be a catalyst for self-improvement. Sometimes, it is human to feel inferior; in certain ways, it can even be necessary or humbling. After all, if you don’t make mistakes and learn from them, growing and improving will be a long shot.

However, feeling inadequate might lead to some of us experiencing an all-encompassing sense of failure or low self-esteem that results in rumination or self-depreciation. Sometimes, a feeling of inferiority can actually push you forward; other times, you get “stuck” in those feelings of inferiority, which can become a major issue.

Tossed around jokingly in pop culture and not a formal mental health diagnosis, it is nevertheless real. People suffering from an inferiority complex have low self-esteem, often loading themselves with self-deprecating comments.

According to the American Psychological Association, an inferiority complex is a “basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, deriving from actual or imagined physical or psychological deficiency.”

At its very essence, it is a feeling used to describe a strong sense of being less than. It is the opposite of a superiority complex, where one has a heightened opinion of one's abilities.

Inferiority complexes are nurtured in childhood because of invalidating experiences or being reared in a family that influences you to feel lesser or not good enough.

Inferiority complexes are subconscious and result in a gamut of negative thoughts, manifesting in people very differently. There is a boatload of symptoms that come with inferiority complexes that you need to look out for.

How do you know whether you have an inferiority complex? Well, it is usually pretty obvious because you are consumed by feelings of low self-esteem and poor self-image.

Sometimes, symptoms aren’t so obvious, though, so you have to scratch and look under the surface. The key to experiencing an inferiority complex is recognising how you respond to feelings of inferiority.

Do they motivate you to accomplish your goals? Or cause you to ruminate? Or do they result in feelings of jealousy, making you put others down so you feel better about yourself. When a negative thought turns into a pattern that is when the term “inferiority complex” might apply.

Insecurity in Relationships and Poor Self-Esteem

An inferiority complex usually causes you to doubt your self-worth, leading to relationship insecurity. They feel undeserving of love or respect and fear rejection and judgement from others, which undermines their self-esteem, making them over-dependent on validation.

Inability to Reach Your Goals, Feeling Stuck

Individuals suffering from an inferiority complex might feel incapable of achieving their goals. They often believe they’re not adequate enough or lack the skills to succeed, resulting in feelings of frustration and being “stuck” in life.

Wanting to Throw in the Towel

A person with an inferiority complex might lack confidence in their abilities, which can lead to giving up when faced with challenges. They often feel failure is inevitable, which can lead to avoiding tasks or abandoning goals prematurely.

Assuming the Worst

Those struggling with an inferiority complex tend to expect negative outcomes, believing that they will fail or that others will criticise them. This pessimistic view results in increased anxiety and hinders progress, as they concentrate on worst-case scenarios rather than opportunities.

Need to Withdraw From Social Situations

People with an inferiority complex often feel out of place in social settings. Fearing judgement and criticism, they withdraw from situations that avoid potential embarrassment or rejection, believing that they aren’t worthy of attention or connection.

Often Feeling Down on Yourself

A constant feeling of inadequacy describes an inferiority complex. People with this mindset constantly criticise themselves, feeling unimportant or worthless, which reduces their feelings of self-confidence and happiness.

Anxiety and Depression

Inferiority complexes can fuel anxiety and depression. Constant self-doubt, fear of judgment and perceiving oneself to be inferior to others can result in severe emotional stress, making it impossible to be positive.

Sensitivity to Criticism

If you have an inferiority complex, you are highly sensitive to criticism. Even constructive feedback feels like character assassination, further reinforcing feelings of inadequacy and making it tough to handle negative feedback.

Not Acknowledging Compliments

Someone suffering from an inferiority complex might reject compliments because they feel they are undeserving. They downplay their strengths, which reinforces feelings of unworthiness.

Given below are some more signs of inferiority complex, though they might be mistaken for someone who seems overconfident.

Hypercompetitiveness

Individuals who are suffering from an inferiority complex might engage in hypercompetitive behaviour as a method of overcompensating their feelings of inadequacy.

They always feel the need to constantly prove themselves superior to others, believing that only by outperforming can they validate their worth.

Perfectionism

This comes from a deep fear of failure and rejection, rooted in an inferiority complex. People with this mindset set unrealistic expectations for themselves to avoid feeling inadequate. Any mistake or imperfection reinforces their belief that they aren’t good enough.

Always Seeking Attention

People with an inferiority complex always seek attention and validation from others to boost their poor self-esteem. They might feel undervalued unless others acknowledge or admire them, so they seek external approval to combat their inner feelings of worthlessness.

Always Finding Fault in Others

To mask their feelings of inferiority, people might project their insecurities upon others by always finding faults in them. This makes them feel superior, distracting them from their own perceived shortcomings, creating a false sense of validation at other’s expense.

Finding It Difficult to Admit Mistakes

Admitting mistakes might feel like confirming their inadequacy for someone who has an inferiority complex. They might avoid acknowledging their errors out of fear that it will highlight their perceived inferiority and make them appear incompetent or weak, reinforcing negative self-beliefs.

Feeling Good About Yourself While Doing Better Than Others

Those battling inferiority complexes might derive some temporary validation and superiority from outperforming others. Feeling “better” than someone boosts their delicate self-esteem, helping them momentarily escape their feelings of inferiority.

The term “inferiority complex” was coined at the turn of the 20th century by Alfred Adler, an Australian psychologist.

He wanted to understand why certain people lack the necessary motivation they require to accomplish their goals, and laid out his belief that all are ingrained with some amount of personal inferiority, learned in childhood, and that we all have an innate drive to overcome this feeling.

Today, modern psychologists like James E Maddux, mostly stray away from the term inferiority complex, as today this is referred to as low self-esteem.

Today, psychologists believe that full-fledged inferiority complexes aren’t just based on early childhood experiences but usually come from a combination of factors, like

• Childhood experiences.

• Adult experiences.

• Personality traits.

• Cultural messages we receive about our perceived inadequacies.

In conclusion, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and there is no reason why one should feel less confident than others. Basically, living with an inferiority complex isn’t something you have to just put up with.

It is something that you can break away from because you deserve to have healthy self-esteem that allows you to feel strong, confident and happy again.

What is an inferiority complex?

An inferiority complex is a psychological condition where a person feels chronically inadequate or inferior to others. This feeling can stem from early childhood experiences, physical limitations, or negative self-perception, often leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and a constant need for validation.

What causes an inferiority complex?

Causes can include childhood trauma, unrealistic parental expectations, bullying, societal pressures, or personal failures. People with an inferiority complex may also struggle with comparing themselves to others and may internalise feelings of inadequacy over time.

How can I recognise if I have an inferiority complex?

Signs include constant self-criticism, difficulty accepting compliments, being overly sensitive to criticism, perfectionism, comparing yourself to others, or feeling anxious in social situations. If you frequently feel unworthy or inferior to others, it may be a sign of this complex.

Can an inferiority complex be overcome?

Yes, it can be managed and overcome with self-awareness, therapy, and self-improvement strategies. Focusing on personal growth, practising self-compassion, and challenging negative thoughts are key steps to building confidence and reducing feelings of inferiority.

When should I seek professional help for an inferiority complex?

If feelings of inferiority interfere with your daily life, relationships, or emotional well-being, seeking professional help is advised. A therapist can help you address deep-seated insecurities, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build a more positive self-image.