We’ve all met one. The boss who believes they’re the office oracle. The friend who can’t take feedback without turning it into a TED Talk. Or that influencer whose captions sound like commandments from Mount Instagram.
This is more than an exploration of ego; it’s a closer look at how the God complex blurs confidence into unchecked entitlement, creating problems for individuals and those around them.
In today’s self-optimised, hustle-obsessed culture, it’s easy to glorify certainty. We love people who “know their worth.” But when that belief morphs into an unwavering conviction that one can do no wrong, it’s no longer empowerment; it’s entitlement dressed in designer confidence.
Unpacking the God complex?
The term “God Complex” was first coined by psychoanalyst Ernest Jones in Essays in Applied Psychoanalysis to describe individuals who see themselves as infallible, all-powerful, all-knowing, and conveniently above the rules that govern the rest of us.
While it’s not a clinical diagnosis, psychologists say it overlaps with traits found in Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or mania, often linked to inflated self-importance and a lack of empathy.
According to Steve Carleton, a licensed clinical social worker and executive clinical director at Gallus Detox Center, “A god complex may develop through consistent experiences of success, admiration, or praise, which reinforce the idea that one is exceptional or untouchable.”
But beyond pop culture’s fascination with power and ego from Kanye West’s “Yeezus” era to movie villains who believe they’re saving the world lies something deeper and more complex.
Where does it come from?
A God complex often starts young.
According to psychologists, “a child may be at risk of developing a god complex if they were overly praised or not held accountable for their behaviour. When a child is shielded from consequences, they don’t develop proper respect for rules or boundaries.”
Sometimes, it’s a way to protect themselves. People who felt powerless or overlooked as children might try to make up for it by acting superior, creating a persona that feels safe from failure or rejection.
According to Psychology Today, defence mechanisms like denial and projection are common: instead of facing insecurity, the person builds a version of themselves that can’t be wrong.
Even success can reinforce the complex. As Carleton notes, “Repeated admiration and achievement can create an illusion of invincibility.” When the world continues to reward overconfidence, humility begins to appear as weakness.
The fine line between confidence and complexity
There is a difference between healthy self-esteem and a god complex, but it can be hard to spot. Confidence says, “I can do this.” A God complex says, “Only I can do this.”
How to tell if confidence is crossing into complex:
- You believe you’re always right, even when proven wrong.
- You struggle to take criticism or advice
- You need to be admired or obeyed to feel secure.
- You see others as competition, not collaborators.
- You value being respected more than being loved.
On the surface, these traits can look like leadership or charisma. But over time, they erode trust and intimacy in relationships, friendships, and even workplaces.
Research published in the Journal of Personality Disorders shows that individuals with grandiose traits often struggle with empathy, emotional regulation, and long-term connection.
While someone with a god complex might appear unstoppable, their inner world tells a different story. Behind the self-assurance often lies fragile self-worth, chronic dissatisfaction and an ongoing need for validation.
They’re constantly striving for perfection, and that pursuit is exhausting. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) warns that untreated personality patterns like this can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
The irony? The higher they rise in their self-made hierarchy, the lonelier it gets at the top.
Coming back down to earth
Healing a God complex begins with awareness, the moment someone realises their control or superiority isn’t power, it’s protection.
Therapy can help unpack this, particularly approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy, which focus on reframing self-image and building empathy.
For everyone else dealing with a “God” in their life, boundaries are everything. You can’t outshine or outargue someone who believes they’re divine, but you can stop feeding the myth.
