Is It Narcissism or a Superiority Complex?

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If you bristle at waiting in line with everyone else, if you feel you know more than your boss with 20 years of experience (and you are just out of college), or if you turn away dates with perfectly acceptable partners, you may have a superiority complex. It is important to note that this is not a clinical diagnosis. It shares some similarities with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is a diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but it differs in some key ways. For a clinician such as myself, this matters a great deal in how we approach and potentially ameliorate each.

What is a superiority complex?

A superiority complex is a psychological construct, a defense. It serves to combat deep feelings of inadequacy. You may have heard of its counterpart: the inferiority complex. Both were coined by the Austrian psychotherapist Alfred Adler, which is fitting because Adler was considered to be “in Freud’s shadow” for much of his life.

How does it differ from narcissistic personality disorder?

As noted, the key distinction is clinical in nature. NPD is a formal mental health diagnosis. Pure narcissism tends to pervade all aspects of a person’s life, contributing to a lack of empathy and a need for validation from others. This is not necessarily the case with a superiority complex. For instance, the sense of superiority may surface only during political arguments or when a person is feeling humiliated or put down.

How do both play out in life?

Let’s pretend a political or philosophical discussion comes up at a dinner party. A narcissist is very invested in gaining the admiration and validation of others. This will prop up his or her sense of self-worth, albeit temporarily. An individual with a superiority complex may, instead, shut down other arguments with disdain. This individual truly believes they know better than you, so they need not bother convincing you. A narcissist may come across as charming and persuasive. The “superior” person may appear unpleasant and arrogant straightaway. Ironically, however, the latter may also be more capable of empathy and understanding in other situations.

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The difference in prognosis

As a psychologist, treating both can be a challenge. However, NPD is known to impact nearly all aspects of a person’s life, whereas superiority may surface only intermittently. Generally, NPD is often apparent to many clinicians based on history alone: many job changes with no accountability; unstable, superficial relationships. These individuals also tend to try to impress the therapist, at least initially. Their reasons for seeking therapy in the first place tend to deflect responsibility as well. They may be in a therapist's office only because their spouse, relative, or supervisor strongly recommended it. Those with a superiority complex may present as perfectly reasonable except when their defense is triggered, at which time they may be compelled to act smarter or “better” than the therapist.

The therapeutic process of each

With someone with a superiority complex, it is important to promote self-understanding and self-compassion. Building emotional awareness and resiliency can be useful in helping the individual grow beyond the need to prop themselves up by being superior. As their self-esteem becomes more stable, they can see others as equals without feeling inferior deep down or threatened with inadequacy. Treatment for NPD is generally more complex. In fact, extensive manuals have been written about it. Some of the same strategies are utilized, although there is typically greater emphasis on reducing comparisons and envy. In my experience, many with NPD externalize their difficulties, often blaming others for their problems. Not surprisingly, this is a therapeutic challenge. Still, they may be in psychological distress or, at the very least, confused as to why their greatness is not so easily seen by others. An empathic, supportive approach may help establish the therapeutic alliance necessary to genuinely reach the individual who has spent much of their life relegating others as props for their own ego. A person who uses superiority as a defense may more easily abandon it when other approaches prove just as successful for feeling “good enough” with regard to others and themselves.