Every individual has experienced an inferiority complex at least once in their lifetime. A person looks at someone else and perceives themselves as lacking or inferior in one or more aspects. The feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness are the two fundamental emotions that constitute an inferiority complex. Let’s examine the inferiority complex, a concept introduced by Alfred Adler, the founder of individual psychology, in his own words:
“An inferiority complex emerges when a person faces a difficulty to which they cannot adequately adapt or for which they are not sufficiently prepared and expresses the belief that they are incapable of overcoming that problem.”
Thus, experiencing an inferiority complex does not necessarily require the presence of someone we see as far superior to ourselves; even a problem we believe we cannot overcome is enough to drag us into feelings of inadequacy and consequently into an inferiority complex. This is because the inferiority complex stems from a deep-seated belief that it is impossible to change one’s current emotional state or circumstances. The problem one faces appears so vast, so insurmountable, that none of the resources at hand seem sufficient to alter it.
When a person realizes that their usual methods of problem-solving are not effective against the current challenge, they automatically assume it is due to their own inadequacy. People tend to perceive themselves as only as strong as their defense mechanisms. The stronger one’s problem-solving skills and adaptability, the stronger they feel. Sometimes, this sense of inadequacy emerges not through a direct problem, but through comparisons with others, revealing deficiencies the person may not have even realized they had.
At this point, there are two paths to take. In psychology, there is no absolute right or wrong; there are feelings and responses that are either healthy and beneficial for the individual or have a high potential to cause harm.
“To a certain degree, we all experience feelings of inadequacy because we all exist in situations we wish to improve. If we have retained our courage, we seek to overcome these feelings in a realistic and fulfilling manner—by improving the situation.”
There is nothing more natural than feeling inadequate when faced with a particular problem. Similarly, feeling helpless and weak upon seeing someone with better circumstances, especially when we lack the means to attain the same conditions, is normal. We are a species evolved to continually solve problems and improve our conditions. When we fail to do so, our bodies begin to secrete stress and anxiety hormones.
The healthy approach is to attempt to solve the problem we are facing in a way that suits our circumstances, without letting despair consume our body and mind entirely. However, doing this while experiencing stress and anxiety is extremely difficult and requires courage. In such situations, one must detach themselves somewhat from the overwhelming emotions, lift their head, and objectively reassess their defense mechanisms.
When Does an Inferiority Complex Turn into a Syndrome?
So, when does an inferiority complex turn into a syndrome? Sometimes, the emotions evoked by the inferiority complex push a person not towards solving the original problem but towards a need for superiority. In an attempt to escape from the humiliating feelings, rather than addressing the root cause, one searches for superficial solutions and begins to construct a false image.
“When he feels weak, he seeks situations where he can feel strong. He does not necessarily strive to become stronger or more capable; instead, he tries to appear stronger in his own eyes. In this self-deception, he will only achieve partial success.”
For instance, a person who has a strained relationship with their spouse may feel weak when confronted with the problem. They might fall into despair, believing they are far from resolving it, and may lose their courage. Over time, to compensate for the blow to their ego caused by their inability to resolve the issue, they might attempt to assert dominance and control over their colleagues at work. In this example, while the person may be unable to fix the romantic relationship with their spouse, they might find a sense of power in directing those subordinate to them at work.
Thus, they fall into the illusion that they have overcome their feelings of inadequacy and their inferiority complex. As long as they maintain the illusion of being in an important and valued position, they believe they have eradicated the deep-seated inferiority complex. However, the unresolved issues with their spouse remain, and the feelings of inadequacy it generates will not disappear simply by feeling superiority in another area of life.
“In anyone who behaves as if they are superior to others, we can suspect the presence of a hidden inferiority feeling. It is as if a person, fearing their own smallness, walks on tiptoe. We often observe this behavior in children who are measuring their height: a child who fears being too small stretches themselves as much as possible, standing unnaturally straight in an effort to appear taller than they are.”
The inferiority complex is composed of natural feelings of inadequacy inherent to being human. How we deal with these feelings defines the kind of individuals we become. If our goal shifts from solving the problems caused by feelings of inadequacy to eliminating the feelings themselves, we develop an unhealthy inferiority complex.
When this happens, we start seeking artificial sources where we can superficially prove our superiority. We abandon the fields in which we feel unsuccessful and immerse ourselves in areas where we can view ourselves as successful and adequate. Sometimes, to appear superior in these new areas, we may engage in toxic behaviors and cause harm to those around us. However, the reality is this: no matter how far we run from the core issue that makes us feel inadequate, that feeling will continue to reside within us. The only way to truly rid ourselves of that voice is to listen to it—accept it—and, with a sound mind, work to heal the wounds it reveals.
References
Adler, A. (1931). What Life Should Mean to You. Little, Brown and Company.