How to Know if You Have a God Complex

Co-authored by Liana Georgoulis, PsyD and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Have you ever felt like a god surrounded by mortals? God complexes can affect your perception of yourself and the way you treat other people, without you even realizing it. It can be tough to acknowledge when you have a god complex, but it's possible—and there are plenty of ways to manage it going forward. Read on, and we'll help you figure out if you have a god complex and how to deal with it.

Things You Should Know

Someone with a god complex has extreme entitlement and arrogance. They can have difficulty relating in a collaborative way with others.
Signs to watch for include grandiosity, bullying, exploitation, gaslighting, isolation, unsuccessful relationships, and an inability to take responsibility.
Deal with a god complex by seeking professional support with a focus on increasing your capacity for empathy and taking personal responsibility.

Section 1 of 3:

What is a god complex?

A god complex is characterized by extreme entitlement and arrogance. When you have a god complex, you might feel like you're the most intelligent person in the room.^{[1]
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Research source} It can also be tough to give up control to other people or place any trust in them. Examine your behavior and the way you communicate with others; a few key narcissistic tendencies can indicate a god complex.

Section 2 of 3:

Signs of a God Complex

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Feelings of grandiosity The biggest sign of a god complex is an inflated sense of self. Can you work cooperatively with others, or do you expect everyone to follow your lead no matter the situation? Confidence is a positive thing, but a sense of grandiosity can lead to feeling more special and important than everyone else—and the expectation to be treated accordingly.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- 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.
2
Lack of empathy Empathy is your ability to recognize and understand other people's feelings. It means putting yourself in another person's shoes and imagining how they feel.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source} God complexes make it difficult to show compassion or consider other people's feelings. When you have a complex, you may get so focused on your own life that it’s hard to notice what others are dealing with.
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Inconsiderate behavior and bullying Do you put people down to make yourself feel better? Bullying can be a defense mechanism when you feel threatened. A god complex can make you feel like other people are "challenging" you when they're just coexisting. Everyone makes mistakes, but you might have a god complex if others have accused you of doing mean things more often than not.^{[4]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
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Intense need for praise God complexes make it challenging to validate yourself without external praise. Do you need others to praise your work, actions, appearance, and other aspects of your life? Even with feelings of grandiosity and entitlement, a god complex will instill an extreme need for validation and praise to feel like you've accomplished something or enjoy your success.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- 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.
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Exploitation of other people Consider your stance on relationships. Are they a means to an end? Then, ask yourself how often you think about how a situation can benefit you, but don't consider anyone else. If you have a god complex, you may rely too much on other people to fulfill your needs and get upset with them when they can't or won't.^{[6]
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Gaslighting Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that involves denying another person's version of events, sometimes even insisting they're crazy, lying, or exaggerating.^{[7]
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Research source} Do you respect and validate other peoples' experiences, even when voicing concerns about you? If you have a god complex, you might mistakenly believe that your experience is the only correct one.
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Isolating from other people Do you feel like nobody understands you or thinks the same way you do? By itself, isolating isn't a surefire sign of a god complex. However, your reason for isolating can be a giveaway. If you tend to be solitary and avoid close friendships because you want to prove that you can succeed without anyone's help, that can indicate a god complex.^{[8]
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- 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.
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Lack of respect for boundaries Think about your reaction when other people tell you what they want: do you listen or disregard them? Healthy relationships are founded on clear communication of boundaries and respect, but a god complex can instill strong feelings of entitlement.^{[9]
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Research source} You might have difficulty respecting boundaries because you assume everyone feels the same way you do.
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A string of unsuccessful relationships People who have to deal with the effects of a god complex commonly cut ties for their own well-being. Has anyone else suggested that you have a god complex or act like a narcissist while ending a relationship with you? It's not an official diagnosis, but you can still examine your behavior and see if there's a common pattern in other relationships.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- 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.
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Refusal to take responsibility Do you feel like you ever make mistakes? Do you apologize when someone says you've hurt their feelings? If not, you might have a god complex. Few people like to admit their mistakes, but acknowledging any flaws or errors feels entirely out of the question with a god complex. It's more common to shift the blame or deny anything happened at all.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
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Narcissistic personality disorder If you are diagnosed with NPD, you'll likely show signs of a god complex. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a diagnosable disorder where god complexes are not, but they go hand in hand.^{[12]
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Research source} After you notice any of the above signs (or you notice any other typical signs of narcissism), see a psychologist for a consultation.
- 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.

Section 3 of 3:

Dealing with a God Complex

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Seek professional treatment through talk therapy. The main way to deal with a god complex is through therapy. Your therapist will help you understand the cause of your negative emotions and teach you how to form healthy, lasting relationships with others. Above all, they'll help you find a true appreciation for who you are—not who you think you should be.^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- 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.
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Develop self-compassion. Incorporate more positive self-talk into your daily life, practice mindfulness by analyzing and accepting your different emotions, and deepen your sense of gratitude by identifying things in life to be thankful for. Studies suggest that the more you learn self-compassion and feel secure in your own self-worth, the more you'll be willing to open up and empathize with others.^{[14]
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- 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.
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Practice empathy towards other people. Once you develop compassion for yourself, you’ll be ready to start showing compassion to others too. Display empathy by listening to people without judgment, asking them questions, and imagining how they might feel. Show people that you care by reacting emotionally to their words—like smiling at good news or shaking your head at bad news.^{[15]
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- 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.
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Respect other people's boundaries. The first step to respecting boundaries is understanding them. Make the conscious choice to change your social habits and accept the boundaries that other people set to improve your relationships. Remember: you can respectfully disagree, but you can't impose your wishes onto someone against their will.^{[16]
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- 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.
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Take responsibility for yourself. Meaningful relationships require both parties to accept responsibility for their actions. Make an effort to acknowledge your mistakes and apologize when you hurt somebody else’s feelings. Mistakes don’t make you a failure, and little miscommunications happen all the time. As long as you’re genuinely willing to learn from each incident, that’s all that matters.^{[17]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices
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- 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.