Relationships
Plus, how to know whether its truly toxic or not.
Have you ever dated someone who felt like they were untouchable?
Like none of the rules of society ever applied to them, and in turn, to your relationship?
(And dont we all?)
What Is A God Complex?
The rules of societal norms don’t apply unless it benefits them in any particular way, Zuckerman says.
People with a god complex also require a lot of attention and admiration that will boost their egos.
They need to know how important they are, how successful they are, Zuckerman says.
Theyre untouchable, and they will challenge anyone who questions that perfect image so they feel in control.
If anything, theyd be the exact opposite: They’re very charming, charismatic, and attentive.
Theyre doting on you, wining and dining you, Zuckerman explains.
Itll be a fairy tale at first
The relationship will initially be a whirlwind romance, Zuckerman says.
Early on, theyll say premature phrases like youre my soulmate or where have you been all my life?
This language will be intoxicating, fast, and intense to the point that it sucks you in.
It’s very easy to get caught up in that, Zuckerman says.
They make you feel like youve belonged together your whole life and now you’ve found each other.
That’s commonly calledlove bombing, she explains.
Winning you over is a part of their ego boost.
Now that they have you, they might start controlling your emotions, likely throughgaslighting, she explains.
That you see their reality as superior and right over your own.
This means a person with a god complex might lack empathy or compassion when you need it most.
What Causes A God Complex?
This is how the armor develops, Skyler says.
Maybe there was emotional abuse, addiction in the family, or they lived in an unstable home environment.
That carries into adulthood, and without awareness, it creates that complex, Zuckerman explains.
Alternatively, its helpful to note that a god complex doesnt need to come from negative childhood experiences.
Theres no need, because they don’t do anything wrong …
It’s everybody else, Skyler says.
This kind of thinking can ultimately make for challenges when in an intimate relationship.
(Albeit similar.)
Again, think of this like a continuum: Clinical narcissism is more severe.
Someone with a god complex is less likely to cause physical harm.
They may just get irritated, angry, or annoyed, Zuckerman says.
Superiority complex vs. god complex
A superiority complex is less psychiatric in nature, Zuckerman says.
It has more to do with someone having a large ego than a god complex.
(Which oftentimes means that a persons ego is actually quite small.)
Superiority complexmeans you think you’re superior to others and therefore others are inferior to you, Zuckerman says.
With a god complex or a narcissist, they deep down don’t feel superior at all.
If anything, they feelcompletely inferiorto other people, she explains.
Wait until it passes and then have a conversation.
