- Written By: R. Kayne
- Edited By: L. S. Wynn
- Last Modified Date: 15 January 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Megalomania is an unrealistic belief in one's superiority, grandiose abilities, and even omnipotence. It is characterized by a need for total power and control over others, and is marked by a lack of empathy for anything that is perceived as not feeding the self.
Although megalomania is a term often ascribed to anyone who is power-hungry, the clinical definition is that of a mental illness associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Narcissism is most simply defined as self-love. Though it is considered healthy to care about your own well-being and have a healthy self-esteem, when someone loves himself to the exclusion of all else and others become objectified to be used only to serve the self, this is no longer considered healthy or normal.
There are different psychological theories about how and why NPD develops, most of which relate to the integration of different aspects of ego and self as a child, and the nature of the parental roles in that process. Regardless of theory, NPD is characterized by extremely low self-esteem, which is compensated for by delusions of grandeur and megalomania, a narcissistic neuroses. With the propensity to act only on behalf of one's self, the unbridled need to feed one's ego, and the objectification of others to serve the power-hungry needs of megalomania, it is easy to see how this can be a recipe for disaster, especially when wrapped in a charismatic personality.
One of the most well known examples of megalomania in modern history was Adolf Hitler. A street waif, Hitler wasn't content rising through the ranks to become the military leader of Germany. His megalomania drove him to aspire to conquer the entire world. Being born into a "superior race" also wasn't enough for the mentally ill Hitler. Instead, he wanted to wipe out all other races. This need to destroy everything outside of what he perceived as an extension of himself is a classic though horrifically illustrated example of megalomania. Paradoxically, a person who exhibits such tremendous ego and self-confidence in reality has such low self-esteem and such a fragile ego that he cannot abide any expression other than his own, for fear of annihilation of the self. Therefore everything that is not under his control is perceived as a threat.
While genocide is an extreme example, serial killers may also suffer from megalomania. They objectify, then sacrifice their victims to exercise total control with a complete lack of empathy for the suffering of others.
The principles or characteristics of NPD and megalomania can also be expressed in lesser degrees or in a different fashion by those we might consider more mainstream than genocidal maniacs and serial killers. Among dictators, fundamentalists, and politicians we find those who view themselves as morally superior with the willingness to sacrifice, kill, or risk the safety of others considered inferior in order to assert their own agendas. Though there are legitimate circumstances in which leaders must exercise civil or military force, or religious zealots can profess solemn beliefs, the line between religiosity and fanaticism, between duty and megalomania, can be a gray one. This is how the term has become part of our culture's vernacular.
Megalomania is also sometimes associated with bipolar disorder; a depressive illness that is characterized by mood swings from extreme lows to extreme highs. During the latter cycle, people often suffer delusions of grandeur and feelings of infinite capability. They talk about unrealistic plans and goals as if these plans and goals are within their grasp.
Schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations and extreme paranoia, is also often found alongside megalomania.
NPD, megalomania, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can all be treated with medications. If you or someone you know is experiencing manic moods, unrealistic delusions or antisocial behavior, professional treatment is necessary. Unlike a virus or cold, these disorders will not improve without treatment.
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anon174600
Post 23 |
Interesting. Just about everyone I have ever worked for in an office setting can be described as being a narcissist or megalomaniac. I thought they were just downright evil, in a lot of cases. Amazing what they can get away with as everyone seems to turn a blind to these people. Amazing too, how some of them are turning up dead in the workplace, done in by people far more disturbed than they are. Really. This nation needs Prozac in its water supply. |
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anon140302
Post 20 |
I just ended a friendship with a megalomaniac. I think acquired the illness during her pregnancy. She thinks she has so much to teach everybody and that she knows more than everyone else about everything. She thinks she is basically is a doctor, psychologist, dietitian, dermatologist, all in one! According to her, everybody is immature and pathetic. She said to me once: you have to accept that there are people who know more about you. God! And also she loves pointing out people's mistakes, but she never recognizes when she is wrong, but she will be very angry at you if you contradict her or disagree with her about something; she'll say that you always want to be right. I'm so glad I opened my eyes after four years. She was always finding the way to humiliate me at any cost! |
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anon129510
Post 19 |
I live with a megalomaniac. 100 percent real deal. she thinks that she is far superior to all. she will do whatever she can to manipulate and control those around her. it is my mission to see that she doesn't. I must protect my friends and family from this very dangerous person. if you can help me out please do. Burlington VT. |
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anon117426
Post 18 |
Wow. It seems like, according to all these definitions, everyone is ill! Are Napoleon Hill and Andrew Carnegie promoting mental disorders on a grand scale? Is there a conspiracy here? Am I a schizophrenic for having that thought? Where do you draw the line between delusions of grandeur and setting big goals? Is there anything really out of one's grasp? There is nothing wrong with dreaming big; there is nothing wrong with having a great idea. Formulating a realistic plan may a little more difficult, however there is no medication for that. |
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anon113135
Post 17 |
I almost feel like I have some of these symptoms, but not so severe that I want to kill. I just feel like I'm so much smarter than everyone and if I make a mistake like not knowing my surroundings, I feel terrible like I failed. Like this morning, my mom made a joke in the car about someone breaking into the house: I almost had an internal "freak out" until she told me that it was just me because I had eaten some brownies. But I felt terrible because I felt that i didn't know my surroundings. I feel that I have to be better because I'm the man of the house. I know some of this is the hypersensitivity that runs in the family. But I feel terrible if I don't know something that happened. And I'm constantly mad at everyone at school because they don't pay attention to their surroundings. I feel like everyone who isn't like me is an idiot and I'm always mad at them for not thinking like me. I always think and process things, but everyone else in the class will look at something for about 45 seconds and automatically say, "I don't understand this!". I get so mad at them for not thinking more about it because they're all lazy idiots. I love being confident like this, but I don't like being mad at the world because I think the people are so stupid. The most severe thing I've ever done is almost punch someone because of it, but I only fight out of self-defense. I can't think of much more, but I just feel kind of weird. I don't want to hate the world. |
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anon108433
Post 16 |
Thank you for the article, it is amazing! I have been married to a megalomaniac for 20 years. Last night for the first time a psychologist named it as it is. In your article I see my husband written about all over the place. Scary since he does not accept the fact that he needs medication. |
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anon88697
Post 15 |
We have a friend who we feel is mentally ill. She seriously thinks she is in charge of many things that she isn't and thinks everyone asks her for advice when they don't. She is constantly worrying about terrible things happening, but feels that God will protect her. This is much more serious than it sounds on the surface. How do we get her help? |
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anon82517
Post 14 |
I think this article was great. I do agree with many of these disorders being hereditary though. I was married to a man who has many of these disorders but refused to believe it was a problem. Hereditary issues are no ones fault, but still must be treated if the said person wants to live the most healthy and positive life possible. He is now my ex husband, still unmedicated, and totally miserable. I feel sorry for him on a daily basis, but he refuses to change or get help. |
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anon64394
Post 13 |
It's much more a genetic trait than a sign of a bad childhood. A desire to get to the top and eliminate the competition is very evolutionarily useful, and just like psychopathy, is a beneficial natural trait not a disorder. Being happy and satisfied is very backward behaviour. It should be called useless personality disorder. ;) |
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anon36665
Post 12 |
I think the general nature and structure of your article reeks of the megalomanical behaviour of the writer. There are a number of generalities expressed that could quite easily be attributed to a person's brilliance, intellect etc... and I agree with #10. |
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anon36181
Post 11 |
*Please* make it a point not to 'generalize' - this is one of the first lessons in good reporting! Although a lot of your observations are substantial - linking bipolar disorder; fundamentalists; public servants or politicians and narcissists is not. There are no all or nothing sweeping associations can be made on this. There are good bipolar people; good fundamentalists and politicians. Please try not to make 'everyone' seem - who are these people - generalized. Thank you. |
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anon29679
Post 10 |
The people running this world are afraid someone else is going to take over.
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anon16004
Post 9 |
I found this article to be very informative. Thank you for taking the time to post it. |
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anon15204
Post 8 |
joycejinks -- How does a person with megalomania treat their wives and children?, I think my newly married son has this.
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anon14421
Post 6 |
Is a personality disorder most often associated with a major mental illness or do they exist on their own? |
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anon4823
Post 5 |
What are the treatments for megalomania? After reading the symptoms, I'm sure my mother has had this her entire life. She's 88 years old now, and worse than ever. But she's exhibited these behaviors since her 20's. Yet she held a job. But she has no friends. Now I see why. Is it too late for medication? |
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joycejinks
Post 4 |
How do person with megalomania treat their wifes and children? |
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shirleylao
Post 2 |
Frankly speaking, I believe most of the leaders in business or political entities are affected with megalomania to a certain extent. If these leaders are not extremely over-confident and aggressive, they may not have the drive to influence the others and motivate the others to follow them (blindly sometimes). |
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anon132464
Post 1 |
I, my father, and my two younger brothers were mentally, emotionally, physically and sexually abused by my mother. The oldest son was not, as he was her "chosen one." She was very charismatic and did not show her cruel nature to anyone but the four of us. Everyone else was her idolizing followers. Since I was the first born and not the son she had ordered and, worst of all, figured her out at the age of two and refused to let her rule over me as a young mother at 23, she always hated me. Her crowning achievement on her death bed this past year, was to convince all her followers, including my three children, that I was trying to kill her by making upsetting calls to her because of her severe emphysema (she still continued to chain smoke) and that I was an evil person hiding behind a kind persona. I had stopped speaking to her in fall of 2006 when she bragged to me of turning my older daughter against me. But it wasn't soon enough to avoid this disaster. Now my entire life has been squashed like you squash a beetle under your foot. If you have someone like this in your life, slam the door on them and triple lock it. Make yourself and all those you care about safe. |
