By: HIMANGSHU RANJAN BHUYAN
Inferiority complex is a silent stalker, often an unseen foe that gradually eats away at the valuation of self and emotional health. Psychologically, this phenomenon is closely related to the feeling that the individual is somehow inferior to an opposing stratum of others, be it intelligence, attractiveness, achievement, or social status. It can be displayed in many forms, ranging from self-illusions to social dysfunction, and has the potential to significantly impair quality of life if not taken care of. Although it is often ignored, its effects are wide-reaching and reach beyond personal well-being such as relationships and general mental health.
Deeply, the inferiority complex arises out of a deficiency of self-esteem and self-complacency. People suffering from this condition tend to feel less than adequate. They are inclined to compare themselves unfavorably to others. Their skills can be perceived as inadequate, and they may experience the feeling that they cannot succeed or meet the expectations of society. Such an internal monologue of inferiority is a self-fulfilling cycle; the person struggles continuously to prove themselves worthy but fails to free himself from feelings of inadequacy. Thus, in the long run, this leads to emotional isolation, as people shy away from social life, fearing judgment and/or rejection.
The very roots of the current complexity can often be traced back to early childhood, in the experiences of comparison, lack of attention/neglect, and criticism, which may have modeled the self-image of an individual. Children who are repeatedly in contact with parental, teacher, or peer comparisons will come to feel less than their peers. These comparisons, especially when one is always unsatisfactory, provide the motivation to feel like they are insufficient. Additionally, people experiencing neglect or abusive criticism in early life may come to believe they are not worthy or able. This demoralizing self-image may continue into adulthood with lifelong anxiety about being inferior.
Nowadays, with the success frequently equated with economic resources, academic performance, and social standing, the pressure to fulfill oneself can make the experience worse in terms of the feeling of insufficiency. Individuals that do not conform to these limiting notions of success can feel marginalized or insignificant [13]. Social media, who always measure up against carefully constructed versions of their friends and followers, have exacerbated this problem. This is a consequence of growing inferiority, where individuals feel that they are not living up to social expectations.
An inferiority complex has more profound effects than mere psychological suffering. The emotional distress caused by these feelings of inferiority can lead to anxiety, depression, and withstanding chronic stress. With time, this relative constant effort towards correction of these perceived deficiencies becomes a physical exhaustion mirrored in tiredness, insomnia and clinically referred symptoms. The negative self-representation can weigh heavy on a gamut of cognitive processes including memory as people end up buried deep under frustration with their negative inner emotion. Ultimately, the inferiority complex can run many tolls on mental and physical health, making one feel even more trapped in their head.
Also, inferiority impacts a person’s relationships significantly. Individually with the perception that one has a sense of inferiority, it becomes hard to connect or get along with other people. One may either avoid any contact with others completely or may make relations marked with insecurity and dependence. They could be “unworthy” forever, striving for outer approval that does not come, or they could become overly picky about others as a defensive measure, socially projecting their own insecurity in regard to others’ inadequacy. This leads to a vicious cycle where the individual’s inability to accept himself prevents him from forming healthy, fulfilling relationships with others.
The perception and acceptance of the existence of inferiority complex is the initial step to overcoming it. Consciousness is the first stage towards freedom from the negative shackles of an inferiority complex. There is always a need to realize that nobody is perfect and that everyone has his own strength as well as weakness. In fact, people’s often negative response to comparison with their peers can raise the feeling of being inadequate, yet the reality is that every person has such a different journey. Success should not be defined in terms of the accomplishments of somebody else, but based on its owner’s development and progression. Building self-esteem is therefore of extreme importance for overcoming an inferiority complex. This means learning to appreciate oneself in ways that go beyond external approval, and appreciating oneself intrinsically with qualities like being kind, resilient, and fair. The acknowledgement of flaws, too, should be taken; these flaws cannot define a person’s worth. Treatment can sometimes be helpful in alleviating the sources of inferiority, and through cognitive-behavioural therapy, individuals learn to investigate these negative thought processes. It teaches that thoughts are not necessarily true and that changes in self-image can be made.
Self-care as well as self-compassion are very important elements to construct a positive self image. Doing things that are pleasurable, achieving realistic aims, and also developing a taste of success in proportion to the difficulty of the aim, can give a feeling of achievement and competence. Comparisons with others should also be avoided because it serves to heighten feelings of inferiority. Yet, one cannot dwell on the achievement and progress of others since journey is unique for everyone.
Lastly, resolution to inferiority complex is a slow process that calls for persistence, patience, and self-compassion. This is all a matter of redefining what external validation and comparison mean to turn them into personal growth and appreciation. Through learning to place value on oneself and to accept errors, people can break free from the shackles of the inferior self and thus get a start on a richer, more real life. It is then possible for an individual to redeem himself from being considered inferior in life.
