MEGALOMANIA: Meaning and Symptoms

Have you ever met someone arrogant, believed to be the most important person of this century, with a self-esteem that seems like a balloon of how wide and high it is and that ensures that it has never committed a single error? Eccentric, self-absorbing, cocky and above all irritating. So are the megalomaniacs. But what exactly is megalomania? Is it simply an adjective to describe a person with excess self-esteem or is there something else? In this Psychology-Online article, megalomania: meaning and symptoms he will be indignant in the nature of the people who present these characteristics.

Index

1. Megalomania: meaning
2. What is megalomaniac
3. Megalomania: symptoms
4. Famous megalomaniacs

What is megalomania? How exactly could megalomania be defined?

Megalomania: etymology

The word megalomania comes from the Greek megalo (big and mania (dementia, frenzy).

Megalomania: definition

The term megalomania is used to describe the

Megalomania: DSM 5

The use of the word megalomania was previously used as a term to describe a psychological disorder, but was later replaced by the narcissistic personality disorder. Today, the concept of megalomania is used more loosely to describe the personality of an arrogant person or as one of the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder if it is accompanied by delusions of grandeur. This is included in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM 5), as part of the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.

What is being a megalomaniac? Megalomaniac or megalomaniac is an adjective that refers to a person who presents megalomania. A megalomaniac person is has the following characteristics:

• A megalomaniac person a superior being is thought and therefore more important than the others.
• Tends to show extremely proud of their own abilities, wealth and social status, showing arrogance and contempt towards everyone or that which has nothing to do with himself and overvalues ​​his influence towards third parties disproportionately.
• Despite this high self-esteem present in a megalomaniac, his self-perception does not necessarily correspond to reality.

Since megalomania is a concept that has changed over time, it is difficult to determine to what extent certain behaviors can be attributed to megalomania itself. However, from a clinical point of view, pathological megalomania (included in narcissistic personality disorder) has more common characteristics, including the following:

1. Delusions of grandeur

They present delusions of grandeur, a set of irrational beliefs that make you think of yourself as a great and perfect being.

• Glorious identity. They are considered famous and important and everyone should revere them.
• They exaggerate their capabilities. They attribute abilities that they do not have or with more skill than the real ones.
• They think they are perfect. Any mistake or failure is the fault of others and therefore they do not learn from their mistakes and experiences.
• Everything is possible. In the mind of a megalomaniac, any activity or challenge is easy for them, and can lead to dangerous situations in risky activities.

2. Delusions of reference

The delusions of reference are a set of thoughts that make a person believe that everything that happens to the world has a hidden meaning for them. In people with megalomania more specifically, they think that everything that happens revolves around them and that it refers to them. In the following article you will find more information about the delusions.

3. They seem to lie

Their features are so exaggerated that they seem to be faking it.

4. Social problems

They may be left alone because of the rejection of their social circles or because of a voluntary isolation because they consider others unworthy of their presence.

In the following article you will find more characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder.

The megalomania is seen, and in a big way. A megalomaniac is not content with a humble or petty life, but with a life of luxury and social status, a way of life flaunted by vanity and power. Therefore, unsurprisingly, a person who demands power and fame as his own right, or who believes that his Committed in this world is of vital importance, it is easy that it does not go unnoticed in the annals of history.

There have been great historical figures who have felt the right and the duty to safeguard the world and conquer it. Much of emperors and dictators could fall under the description of a megalomaniac. For example, some famous megalomaniacs are:

• Hitler Known for believing in a superior race and that it had to dominate the world, committing barbaric acts to cleanse it of all people considered inferior.
• Awaying the Great. If his title does not seem indicative enough, he changed the name of conquered cities to his own name.
• Stalin. He instilled a cult of his person, teaching for example Soviet children in schools to learn texts by heart that spoke of Stalin's bravery and intelligence. In any group painting his name came first and in capital letters, regardless of where he was located.
• Mao Zedong. His image was distributed by homes, offices and schools. All members of his party were required to keep a book where Mao's quotes and sayings were compiled.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Megalomania: meaning and symptoms, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

• American Psychiatric Association. (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana, S.A.
• Aguirre, P. TO. (2014). World history of megalomania: Excesses, ravings and fantasies of the cult of personality in politics. Debate.
• Akhtar, S., & Thomson, J. TO. (1982). Overview: Narcissistic personality disorder. The American journal of psychiatry.