Agod complex is an unshakable belief characterized by consistently inflated feelings of personalability,privilege, orinfallibility.[1] The person is also highlydogmatic in their views, meaning the person speaks of their personal opinions as though they were unquestionably correct.[2] Someone with a god complex may exhibit no regard for theconventions and demands of society, and may request special consideration or privileges.[2]
God complex is not a clinical term nor diagnosable disorder and does not appear in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The recognized diagnostic name for the behaviors associated with a god complex isnarcissistic personality disorder (NPD). A god complex may also be associated withmania or asuperiority complex.
The first person to use the term "god complex" wasErnest Jones (1879–1958).[3][better source needed] His description, at least in the contents page ofEssays in Applied Psycho-Analysis, describes the god complex as belief that one is agod.[4]
Jehovah complex is a related term used inJungian analysis to describe a neurosis of egotistical self-inflation. Use included in psychoanalytic contributions topsychohistory and biography, with, for example,Fritz Wittels using the term aboutSigmund Freud in his 1924 biography[5] andH. E. Barnes using the term aboutGeorge Washington andAndrew Jackson.[6]
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| Pathological narcissism | |
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