Other people might compare your sense of self to a fantasy world. If you find yourself telling stories and exaggerating your life to make it sound ideal, you might have a god complex. When someone contradicts your perception of yourself and the rest of the world, do you get angry and lash out? God complexes also result in emotional fragility and a quick temper.
Do you ever compliment other people just because you can? God complexes also tend to result in one-sided relationships since praise is given but rarely returned. Additionally, do you get upset if someone doesn’t praise you when you thought they would? Feeling underappreciated is never fun, but with a god complex, a lack of praise can feel like a betrayal.
Plenty of people isolate themselves for various mental health-related reasons, including depression, anxiety, and more, so it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a god complex.
It likely feels harsh, especially when you’re on the receiving end of a breakup, but most people cut ties to protect themselves—and might even say as much. This can apply to romantic partners, friends, and family. Reflect on all the relationships in your life and how long they’ve lasted.
Grandiose narcissism, for example, has many of the same symptoms as a god complex, including an inflated sense of self, entitlement, and a need for constant praise.
Talk therapy may be ongoing for some time while you work to better understand yourself, but stick with it! By the end, you will be at peace with yourself and other people in your life. There are lots of ways to find a good therapist. You could do a provider search if you have health insurance, or use an online service like BetterHelp.
Take things one day at a time and forgive yourself when you make a mistake. Everyone does things they regret, and your willingness to try and correct past behaviors is admirable! Don’t let a stumble stop you from moving forward.
Just because god complexes are defined by a lack of empathy, doesn’t mean you’re incapable of learning it! The more you practice, the more natural showing empathy will feel.
For example, if a friend asks to take things slow and maintains some distance while you deal with the god complex, gracefully accept it. It will build up trust between you and lead to a happier friendship in the future. If you don’t know what someone’s boundaries are, ask! It’s much better to check with the other person rather than assume you know what they want.
Part of overcoming a god complex is not only acknowledging mistakes but accepting them as a natural part of life. You don’t have to be perfect—and you won’t lose anyone’s respect by letting your imperfections show. It’s also important to take responsibility for dealing with the god complex. The decision to change, learn healthier habits, and improve your quality of life has to be your decision. Nobody can (or should) force you into it.
