An inferiority complex involves feelings of inadequacy and insecurity that stem from a real or imagined deficiency. It may lead to effects such as withdrawal and aggression.
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines an inferiority complex as a “basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity.”
Most people feel inferior in some ways from time to time when comparing themselves to others. But if feelings of inadequacy negatively affect your life, you might be experiencing an inferiority complex.
An inferiority complex may cause you to have low self-esteem about particular aspects of your life, or it may extend to many areas of your life, such as:
- physical ability
- intellectual ability
- social ability
- work or schoolwork
Feeling inferior can affect your behavior, mood, and mental health.
Continue reading to learn some symptoms of an inferiority complex, the possible causes, and how to overcome it.
Feelings of inadequacy can affect your mental health, behaviors, and relationships.
Possible symptoms of an inferiority complex include:
- low self-esteem or low personal worth
- withdrawal from others
- a tendency not to contribute in social situations
- self-criticism and self-doubt
- difficulty setting and achieving goals
- anxiety and depression
- difficulty accepting criticism and compliments
- a lack of trust in your judgment
Alternatively, an inferiority complex might affect your behavior in similar ways to a superiority complex, which the APA defines as “an exaggerated opinion of one’s abilities and accomplishments that derives from an overcompensation for feelings of inferiority.”
Symptoms of a superiority complex can include:
- an overly high opinion of yourself
- an image of yourself as having authority or status over others
- unwillingness to listen to others
- a tendency to overcompensate or overachieve in one area to make up for perceived shortcomings in other areas
- quick mood changes, especially when someone contradicts you
- excessive competition
- aggression
The reasons for developing an inferiority complex can be complicated and may involve many areas of your life.
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They found that factors such as the following contributed to feelings of inadequacy:
- previous experiences, particularly if they were negative
- family background
- abilities and past failures
- relationships and social interaction
- personality traits
- difficulties with learning in school
- physical deficits, including appearance, whether imagined or real
- childhood and upbringing
Research from 2019 suggests that low self-esteem may also result from a person’s childhood family environment. The authors found the greatest correlation for low self-esteem among children of mothers with depression or children who experienced financial hardship in childhood.
Treatment for an inferiority complex usually involves psychotherapy with a licensed therapist.
Therapy may focus on helping you identify the sources and triggers of your feelings of inadequacy. A therapist may also guide you in reframing some of your thought patterns and managing the feelings and behaviors associated with your feelings of inferiority.
Treatment may involve:
- practicing effective coping skills
- recognizing your strengths and triggers
- building self-esteem and self-confidence
- reducing inaccurate and harmful thought patterns
There are many types and approaches to psychotherapy. You can talk with a licensed therapist to determine which type may be most effective for you.
Options include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you recognize negative and unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors and learn to replace them with more productive ones.
- Psychodynamic therapy: This therapy approach focuses on your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. It can be helpful for many mental health conditions, including depression.
- Behavioral therapy: This type of therapy helps you replace past behaviors with more productive ones in response to emotions such as fear and anxiety.
It can be difficult to accept your thoughts and feelings and to replace ingrained thought patterns and behaviors. A licensed therapist can guide you through this process.
It’s important to find a therapist who is right for you. If you meet with one who doesn’t feel like the right fit, it’s OK to continue searching. You might want to consider factors such as:
- whether you would prefer a culturally competent therapist, especially if you are part of a historically marginalized group
- whether your insurance covers therapy
- whether you would prefer in-person therapy or online therapy
A 2023 study that investigated the effectiveness of internet-based CBT for teens suggests that it can help build self-esteem. Online therapy options can be especially helpful if it’s difficult for you to access in-person therapy where you live.
An inferiority complex involves feelings of inadequacy that may be overwhelming and negatively affect your life. These feelings can have many possible origins, causes, and triggers.
Without proper treatment, these feelings may result in low self-esteem, withdrawal from others, and sometimes even aggression.
If feelings of inadequacy are negatively affecting your life, it’s a good idea to talk with a trained and licensed therapist. They can help you overcome your negative feelings by reframing your responses to the situations that trigger those feelings.