How to Know if You Have a God Complex

This article was co-authored by Liana Georgoulis, PsyD and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and clinical director of Coast Psychological Services. With over 12 years of experience, her mission is to provide clients with effective, well-studied, and established treatments that bring about significant improvements in her patients' lives. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples. Additionally, she provides group therapy for social anxiety, social skills, and assertiveness training. Providing a space where clients feel understood and supported is essential to her work. Dr. Georgoulis also provides clinical supervision to post-doctoral fellows and psychological assistants. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

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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.

God Complex Symptoms

Extreme entitlement and arrogance make it difficult to collaborate with others.
Prone to bullying, gaslighting, and exploitation in relationships.
Has an inability to take responsibility or accept criticism.
Lacks empathy and can't understand other perspectives.

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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] X 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.

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Signs of a God Complex

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.

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] X 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.

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] X 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.

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] X Research source

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] X 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.

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] X Research source You might have difficulty respecting boundaries because you assume everyone feels the same way you do.

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.

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] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

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.

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Dealing with a God Complex

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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