The psychology of egotism and insecurity

Megalomania and inferiority complex often come hand in hand with each other. In fact, it is very rare for one to be found without the other.

Megalomania is essentially when one has a delusion about their own power or importance.

And inferiority complex is usually seen as the exact opposite — when one has a deep rooted feeling of their own inadequacy. Or insecurity about a certain trait (real or imagined — physical or emotional)

But the truth is, all such polarities in the human psyche are inextricable linked. In fact, they are latent in all of us to varying degrees. Just the same as anger and love, or happiness and sadness.

It is just that, in a more balanced personality, these polarities of emotion are able to be integrated. Meaning that they remain part of a wider psyche, but do not manifest in extremes.

Whereas, in less balanced personalities, we tend to see people becoming “one sided” in their persona.

And in that sense, we can start to believe that this person is “completely” egotistical . . . or, alternatively, “entirely” without confidence.

But in reality, the human psyche is very much in line with Newton’s famous law — for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

So if one personality trait manifests itself so much externally — then, by nature, we need to realise that the opposite trait is manifesting itself just as strongly somewhere internally too. Whether the person is conscious of it or not.

Therefore, when we find someone who is outwardly megalomaniacal, arrogant, or egotistical — we can be pretty much certain that they are carrying an unconscious inferiority complex. Because after all, if they were totally secure in their own self — why would they be so desperate to distinguish themselves? Or why would they be so competitive, unless they felt they had something to prove? Or why else do they need to make sure everyone else is so aware of their so called greatness?

Surely, someone who was truly confident in their own self, has no need to keep reminding everyone about just how great they are. . .

Then, equally, a similar thing could be said about the person who suffers with inferiority complex too.

Even though outwardly it would seem for all the world that they have little to no self worth (hence why they feel so shy or insecure all the time) — the fact is that this outer insecurity is inherently linked to an inner megalomania too. Because if the person didn’t in some sense think that were extraordinary — why would it even matter to them at all that they were somehow “lacking”? Or why would they see it as so unfair that “everyone else has it better me”?

Essentially, it is all driven by an unconscious feeling that “I deserve better”.

And, this “I deserve better” is the exact same ego that manifests so openly in the megalomaniac — who simply goes ahead and proclaims this to the world, while, internally, worrying about “am I really deserving of anything?”

So, again, it is important to see that no personality trait exists in isolation.

Even when something manifests externally in it’s extreme — it just means that the opposing trait is manifesting equally on an internal level. (Causing the same amount of chaos in the unconscious, as the external trait is causing in the conscious.)

Therefore, if we are seeking a more balanced psyche — the ideal is to bring both the internal and the external to a kind of psychological middle ground. Where our inner polarities work in harmony — to manifest as a positive traits — rather than as extremes, which tend to produce only negatives.

And this is the whole purpose of integration.