What are the signs that you suffer from the “Messiah Complex”. The dark side of pathological altruism

Neuropsychiatry specialists defined a pathological manifestation known as the “Messia Complex”. This syndrome, which can prove harmful, makes the affected individual consider himself to be elected divinity or fate to save a person or group of what is the representation of evil.

Ioana D Arc would have had the “Messiah” photo wikipedia complex

In the world there are people who are considered chosen, either of divinity or providence, to save an individual or community of evil, poverty or any possible threat would pay. This feeling of exacerbated altruism can become pathological, say scientists. The specialized studies have identified this behavior as the “Messiah Complex”, of those who are considered “chosen”.

Altruism, from noble feeling, to pathological

Psychiatry specialists say that altruistic feelings are specific human and represent a noble side of the human being. The desire to help others and involve in saving people from dangerous situations can do us socially, but also mentally, through a pronounced feeling of utility, involvement. However, say the same experts, exaggerated altruism, but especially the feeling that we are predestined, chosen by divinity or fate to be helpful to others, it can be a sign of pathological behavior.

“The desire to help others can be a very healthy habit. But when we feel we do this by endangering our own existence, it can become problematic. It is known as the” Messiah Complex “, the” Savior Complex “or” Knight's Syndrome “. In some cases it does not mean much, it does not radically influence our lives, but there are enough situations in which things can be complicated ”says Kristina Fischer for the publication of webmed specialized, in a scientifically supervised article by psychiatrist Smitha Bandhari.

In short, if someone feels predestined to save others constantly from the threats that may occur or the deficient situation in which they are, then most likely suffers from the “Messia Complex”. These people get to feel responsible for saving others, their fate and often tend to neglect their own health or safety to play the role of superhero, the Savior.

Experts say that this “complex complex” is not a psychic disorder in itself, but rather a way of thinking. However, it is also associated with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. “The rescuer complex is rather a state of mind, so it cannot be diagnosed from a medical point of view. But nevertheless people suffering from bipolar disorder, delusional disorder or schizophrenia, they can manifest themselves in this way.”adds Kristina Fischer for the same publication.

The three great symptoms of exaggerated altruism

The specialists identified some of the symptoms of those who manifest the “Messiah Complex”. There are clear signs that they suffer from exacerbated altruism, in some pathological cases. The first sign is that you constantly want to sacrifice yourself for the good of others. Often regardless of cause or danger. “When your desire to help, permanently, begins to interfere with your well-being, you can definitely become a problem for both themselves and those you try to help. For example, if you think that you are constantly deprived of rest and sleep, to be helpful in all situations, it is not very serious, and even to be useful.”is shown in the specialized article “What is Saviour Complex”.

Another sign of the “Messiah Complex” is the feeling of responsibility for another person's well -being. He does anything, including to the detriment of his own person, for that man to be assured all his needs, all his wishes have been fulfilled. The third clear sign is the feeling that he knows what's best for others. Often without asking for their opinion, people with this “Messiah complex” get to try to save the others from the dangers that exist only in the mind of the pathological altruist.

Sometimes, the “Messiah” simply wants to help others without them wanting it. At that moment the frustration appears because instead of thanksgiving the exacerbated altruist wakes up with reproaches and rejection. He becomes tasty and may even scare those around him. “That person must understand that no matter how hard to change a man, whom he considers in danger, he will never be able to reach a positive result. Those people have to make those changes alone.”the psychologist Ramone Ford from Cleveland Clinic also states.

There are specialists who associate the “Messiah Complex” and with the growth of too many animals, without the person who collects them and the opportunity to care for them properly. Often, people who suffer from pathological altruism reach relationships that consume them, without reciprocity, precisely because they try to do everything alone, totally giving up their own person. Most of the time they get to have no resources to continue that relationship. “You can reach in low quality or unhealthy relationships with people who only get to receive, without having the opportunity to offer”adds the American psychologist.

The dark side of the “Messiah Complex”

There is also a dark side of the “Messiah Complex”. More precisely of those who either simulate, or even practice exaggerated altruism for less orthodox reasons. “There are also those who play the role of the Savior for less noble reasons, from the desire to be praised, from the desire for power or for the feeling of increasing self -esteem.”says Kristen Fischer for Webmed. The same author states that often the “Messiah Complex” creates a feeling of power especially for those with low self -esteem. The feeling that he is the one chosen to solve the problems of others, to save them from all kinds of imagined dangers give him the feeling of all -powerful individual, responsible for the fate of mankind. Specialists believe that one of the most famous cases of people with the “Messiah Complex” was Ioana D Arc, the teenager who believed she was chosen by God to save France during the 100 -year war with England.