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What is a Messiah Complex?
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Byzantine mosaic image of Jesus of Nazareth, a widely recognizable messiah figure. The messiah complex is a mental state in which a person believes they are a messiah or prophet and will save or redeem people in a religious endeavour.
Sep 21, 2022 · What Are the Symptoms of a Savior Complex? How Can a Messiah Complex Harm Me? Is a Savior Complex a Mental Disorder?
Oct 19, 2023 · Commonly known as a messiah complex or Christ complex, the term has ancient and controversial roots. Jesus Christ is often called the “savior of mankind” by Christians, and his most defining act is “dying for our sins” and then “rising from the dead” to eventually be seated at the right hand of God.
- 4 min
- Overview
- How Do You Know If You Have a Savior Complex?
- Causes and Consequences of a Savior Complex
- Strategies for Overcoming the Savior Complex
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Helpful. Cooperative. Giving. Compassionate.
If someone uses those words to describe you, it’s usually meant as a compliment. And you’d likely take it that way. After all, it’s important to help others, and not just think of yourself. But when tending to the needs of others overshadows taking care of your own needs, it may be more than just showing kindness. You could be struggling with a savior complex.
“Someone has a savior complex if they have a desire or control to assist people so much that they might neglect their own well-being to do so. The term describes someone who feels they have a mission to fulfill based on what they consider their special capabilities,” explains Cassandra Boduch, MD, Chief Medical Officer, PsychPlus. “A savior complex can also be known as a messiah complex or white knight syndrome,” she adds.
At a Glance
While a "Savior Complex" is not a formally diagnosable condition, some mental health professional find the concept clinically useful. The motivation behind the savior complex impacts you mentally and emotionally. You get your sense of purpose from helping or “saving” others. And if it goes to far, it can have a negative impact on your daily life and overall wellness.
Countless sources, from magazine articles to wellness gurus to scientific studies, say helping others is a way to help you feel happier and more fulfilled. Even the cliché “it’s better to give than to receive” is often touted as a key to longevity and feeling good about yourself. Dealing with a savior complex, however, goes beyond just being good to others. You are, instead, helping others at the expense of helping yourself.
Signs include:
•Getting your sense of value and purpose exclusively or primarily from being the sole source of help for someone
•Being unable to say “no” to others’ requests
•An inability to put boundaries in place on your time and energy, because you feel like someone else “needs” you
•Ignoring your own self-care needs while overexerting yourself to make sure someone else’s needs are met
While there’s no one cause for the savior complex, several factors can lead to it. Dealing with trauma or grief can be a significant factor. This is especially true when a person struggles with guilt over not having been able to help someone important in their life, so they try to make up for it by trying to help others. This can be impactful at any age, but particularly in childhood.
“Being 'parentified' or forced to take on adult or parent-like responsibilities during childhood” is another cause, explains Guarino. “An example of being parentified is a child growing up with the responsibility of caring for an alcoholic parent.”
Low self-esteem can also lead to having a savior complex. No matter the cause, the consequences of taking on a savior role can impact every area of your life.
They also can have problems in their relationships with family and friends, and frequently find themselves being taken advantage of by others. People close to a person with a savior complex just assume that person will take care of them, without any regard to their needs. It can lead to a toxic, one-sided relationship, where your boundaries and feelings are not respected.
The intense focus on constantly pushing yourself to please others can wreak wreaks havoc on your mental health.
“[Those with savior syndrome] are very hard on themselves and self-scrutinize their work constantly which makes it hard for them to celebrate their wins. This harsh self-scrutiny leads them to become workhorses because the work they produce is never felt as good enough. This is partly why I see this in high-functioning depression,” states Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Researcher, and Chair of Women in Medicine Initiative at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The first step to making a change is recognizing these behaviors in your life. But if your self-worth is tied to always helping someone else, it can be challenging to overcome.
Taking responsibility for your actions, and your part in struggling with savior syndrome, is key. Why do you feel it’s necessary to help others at the expense of yourself, all the time? What is your motivation? An introspective look at yourself may help you uncover the cause of your actions.
Then work on taking care of yourself. That means strengthening your sense of self-worth and your self-esteem. Decide that others’ approval and validation won’t be your exclusive focus. Determine what else brings you love and value—whether it’s a higher power, spirituality, following your passions and creativity, living a healthy lifestyle or another focus in your life. Create your own goals and build in time to work on achieving them.
Take time for self-care. Make it a priority. Schedule it in. And then stick to your schedule.
Finally, set clear, decisive boundaries. Learn that “no” is a complete sentence. Recognize that some people who benefitted from your savior complex won’t like to hear it. And be okay with that fact.
Of course, there may be times when you have to drop everything to help someone or make a decision to put aside your own plans for someone else’s. But being aware of the reasons behind your actions, and not taking your desire to help to an extreme, makes all the difference.
- Lakeisha Fleming
May 1, 2024 · “Messiah complex” typically refers to a psychological state where an individual holds a belief that they are destined to become a saviour or a messiah for others. It’s often associated with grandiose delusions and can manifest in various ways, from a desire to save humanity to an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority.
Apr 2, 2024 · A savior (or messiah) complex is a psychological phenomenon where individuals feel compelled to rescue or save others. Let us know more.
Aug 7, 2023 · What is a martyr complex, and how can a person overcome it? Characteristics. How it develops. Effects on health. Overcoming a martyr complex. Seeking help. Support. FAQs. Summary. A “martyr...
