Main character syndrome is the perception that your life is a story or movie by which you're the most important character. This term was born on social media and will not be a real syndrome or mental disorder, but it will possibly partially overlap with a handful of mental illnesses. Main character syndrome can be often called most important character energy.
If you see yourself as a star or protagonist, it's possible you'll behave as when you at all times have an audience. Of course, almost everyone behaves just a little in a different way after they know – or think – someone is watching. But this behavior is amplified when you suffer from most important character syndrome. It's not about who you actually are, but concerning the image you must create for others.
This might mean laboriously selecting the right outfit just to purchase a carton of milk on the supermarket, or speaking loudly in public because you're thinking that others wish to hear what you're saying.
You may additionally underestimate everyone else around you. This is since you see these people as supporting characters at best. This might mean that you just deliberately draw attention to yourself even in situations which can be clearly not about you, like at a marriage. Or you never fail to steer the conversation toward your problems when a friend shares theirs with you.
If the opposite people in your life will not be supporting characters, it's possible you'll see them as villains. People are either behind you or working against you.
Social media appears to be the first breeding ground for most important character syndrome (more on that in a moment). But social media alone is not going to trigger this shift in the best way you see yourself and the world around you.
If you're anxious, insecure, or have low self-esteem, you usually tend to develop most important character syndrome. People with these traits may feel uncomfortable just being themselves.
Main character syndrome and social media
It's fair to say that social media has given anyone access to an audience in the event that they want one. An abundance of platforms makes you're feeling such as you're continually on stage or being watched. It's easy to show your life right into a performance. And for some people, social media is a performance where you simply show the nice, the gorgeous and the fashionable.
But spending a number of time on social media or the web basically can distort your perception of reality. It might cause you to continually compare yourself to others. It won't occur to you that these individuals are also curating their lives. Feeling such as you're continually coming up short in these comparisons could make you must placed on a greater show.
You might increasingly begin to see things as having social media potential. You might often attempt to make real life moments more “instagrammable.” Or you would possibly take into consideration how you'll be able to capture a current moment to your online viewers later.
This tendency to arrange your life around online consumption can spill over into real life.
Some signs of most important character syndrome could also be viewed more positively than others.
For example, the sense of importance you get from being the star of an epic story can provide you with a lift. You may feel more motivated and assured. For someone who's anxious, insecure, or generally has low self-esteem, these may very well be good things.
Other symptoms of the most important character syndrome could be considered neutral or negative.
You can:
- Do you're thinking that you're more necessary than you actually are or do you overestimate how necessary your actions are to other people
- Have a distorted view of reality
- Ignore or don't see the results of your behavior
- Behaving in a certain way just to draw attention or appear dramatic
- Behave or dress in a way that will not be truly “you”
You could also:
- Do you have got the urge to “reinvent yourself” or “change your brand”
- Lack of empathy
- Romanticize your problems by pondering, for instance, that you have got to undergo certain things as a way to grow and develop
- You experience cognitive dissonance, meaning you have got to justify your actions to yourself because they don't align along with your values or beliefs.
The most important character syndrome involves a certain degree of self-centeredness, so it will possibly sound loads like narcissism. The two overlap, but will not be the identical.
Both protagonists and narcissists have an inflated sense of self-worth. They are the focus.
Another trait that each can have in common is a scarcity of empathy. The inability to know or care about other people's feelings is a driving trait of narcissism. It will also be a part of the most important character syndrome because you're feeling such as you or your problems are more necessary.
Both narcissism and most important character syndrome are regarded as linked to excessive social media use. Narcissists may are inclined to be hooked on social media. As for most important character syndrome and excessive social media use, one can result in the opposite.
Unlike most important character syndrome, narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness. Someone affected by this disorder is continually confronted with it. It affects their day by day life and their personal and skilled relationships. A most important character, however, can increase their most important character energy in some situations and reduce it in others.
Being the most important character in all places you go could cause problems in your relationships and your on a regular basis life. However, when you are aware of your tendency to see yourself because the most important character, it's possible you'll give you the chance to get a handle on this and never let it dictate your life.
Here are some rules of thumb to maintain your most important character's energy under control.
Know when to step out of the highlight
Don't let the most important character's energy stop you from being a very good friend. Sometimes it's another person. Make sure you step aside when a friend has news to share or desires to open up a couple of problem. Don't be the star at another person's birthday celebration, wedding, or celebration. In general, when interacting with friends and family members, stop and ask yourself when you're spending an excessive amount of time within the highlight.
Check out your true self
Look at a few of your chosen behaviors. Do your actions reflect your true preferences, values and beliefs? Or are you wearing a mask? Decide if you must proceed with these behaviors.
Ask yourself why you're reinventing yourself
There could also be good reasons for working hard to alter something about yourself. Maybe you've decided to be a greater listener. Or perhaps you must speak up more at work. This is known as working on yourself. It's different from changing parts of yourself to impress others or to present a false image of yourself. When the urge to reinvent yourself arises, consider carefully about what you must change and why.
Take stock of your relationships
You may not know it, but your most important character's energy could hurt others. Friends, family, or companion may feel such as you're not listening to them or stealing the show at times.
Have an open conversation with the people who find themselves necessary to you. You could ask:
- Do you're feeling heard by me?
- Do you're feeling like I'm listening to you?
- Are there ways I could be a higher friend/partner/sibling?
- Are there situations in our relationship that you just wish I handled in a different way?
Their answers could also be obscure. When they speak, concentrate on being calm and listening, and don't attempt to defend yourself.
Choose a single thing
It's difficult to be authentic while you're attempting to completely change yourself for the general public. If you must reinvent yourself for the higher, concentrate on one small thing about yourself that you must change.
It may very well be a personality trait. Maybe you interrupt too often when individuals are talking. It may very well be a habit. Maybe you must read more and stream less. But it will possibly even be something external. For example, it's OK to wish to be more stylish. But take it step-by-step. Ask yourself why you must change it. Make a plan for the way you'll do it. And then concentrate on just that one thing.
Talk to a therapist
If you're feeling like your most important character's energy is dominating your life and also you've lost control, a licensed mental health skilled may give you the chance to assist. Ask your doctor, friends, or family in the event that they can recommend someone. You also can search online for therapists in your area.
Main character syndrome is the concept you're the most important character in every situation in your life story and everybody else is secondary. It's not an actual syndrome. It's only a phrase that has emerged on social media.
Principal character syndrome has some overlap with narcissism, but they will not be the identical. Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychiatric illness.
You can take steps to dampen your most important character's energy on your individual, or a licensed therapist can allow you to release a few of that energy.
Does the most important character have narcissism syndrome?
There is a few overlap, similar to an inflated sense of self and a scarcity of empathy, but they will not be the identical thing. Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness. Principal character syndrome, however, will not be.
What is a personality disorder of the most important character?
This is just one other name for most important character syndrome. However, it will not be an actual personality disorder.
What is the other of most important character syndrome?
Side Character Energy – one other term coined on social media – describes a one that is usually funny and assured and doesn't seek to be the focus.