Main character syndrome is the perception that your life is a story or movie through which you're the fundamental character. This term was born on social media and isn't a real syndrome or mental disorder, but it may partially overlap with a handful of mental illnesses. Main character syndrome can also be often called fundamental 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 somewhat in another way after they know – or think – someone is watching. But this behavior is amplified when you suffer from fundamental character syndrome. It's not about who you actually are, but in regards to the image you must create for others.
This might mean laboriously selecting the proper outfit just to purchase a carton of milk on the supermarket, or speaking loudly in public because you're thinking that others need to hear what you're saying.
You may also 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 might 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 should not 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 fundamental character syndrome (more on that in a moment). But social media alone won't 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 fundamental 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 consistently 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 attractive and the fashionable.
But spending a number of time on social media or the web generally can distort your perception of reality. It might cause you to consistently compare yourself to others. It may not occur to you that these persons are also curating their lives. Feeling such as you're consistently 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 may capture a current moment in your online viewers later.
This tendency to prepare your life around online consumption can spill over into real life.
Some signs of fundamental 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 offer you 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 fundamental character syndrome might be considered neutral or negative.
You can:
- Do you're thinking that you're more vital than you actually are or do you overestimate how vital your actions are to other people
- Have a distorted view of reality
- Ignore or don't see the implications of your behavior
- Behaving in a certain way just to draw attention or appear dramatic
- Behave or dress in a way that isn't truly “you”
You could also:
- Do you've got the urge to “reinvent yourself” or “change your brand”
- Lack of empathy
- Romanticize your problems by considering, for instance, that you've got to undergo certain things to be able to grow and develop
- You experience cognitive dissonance, meaning you've got to justify your actions to yourself because they don't align together with your values or beliefs.
The fundamental character syndrome involves a certain degree of self-centeredness, so it may sound quite a bit like narcissism. The two overlap, but should not the identical.
Both protagonists and narcissists have an inflated sense of self-worth. They are the focal point.
Another trait that each can have in common is an absence 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 fundamental character syndrome because you're feeling such as you or your problems are more vital.
Both narcissism and fundamental character syndrome are considered linked to excessive social media use. Narcissists may are likely to be hooked on social media. As for fundamental character syndrome and excessive social media use, one can result in the opposite.
Unlike fundamental character syndrome, narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness. Someone affected by this disorder is consistently confronted with it. It affects their day by day life and their personal and skilled relationships. A fundamental character, alternatively, can increase their fundamental character energy in some situations and reduce it in others.
Being the fundamental character in every single place 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 fundamental character, it's possible you'll have the opportunity to get a handle on this and never let it dictate your life.
Here are some rules of thumb to maintain your fundamental character's energy under control.
Know when to step out of the highlight
Don't let the fundamental character's energy stop you from being a superb friend. Sometimes it's another person. Make sure you step aside when a friend has news to share or desires to open up a few problem. Don't be the star at another person's 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 vary something about yourself. Maybe you've decided to be a greater listener. Or possibly 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 fundamental 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 vital 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 another 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 if 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 persons are talking. It may very well be a habit. Maybe you must read more and stream less. But it may even be something external. For example, it's OK to need to be more stylish. But take it step-by-step. Ask yourself why you must change it. Make a plan for a way you'll do it. And then concentrate on just that one thing.
Talk to a therapist
If you're feeling like your fundamental character's energy is dominating your life and also you've lost control, a licensed mental health skilled may have the opportunity to assist. Ask your doctor, friends, or family in the event that they can recommend someone. You can even search online for therapists in your area.
Main character syndrome is the concept that you're the fundamental 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 should not the identical. Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychiatric illness.
You can take steps to dampen your fundamental character's energy on your individual, or a licensed therapist can aid you release a few of that energy.
Does the fundamental character have narcissism syndrome?
There is a few overlap, reminiscent of an inflated sense of self and an absence of empathy, but they should not the identical thing. Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness. Principal character syndrome, alternatively, isn't.
What is a personality disorder of the fundamental character?
This is just one other name for fundamental character syndrome. However, it isn't an actual personality disorder.
What is the other of fundamental character syndrome?
Side Character Energy – one other term coined on social media – describes a one who is usually funny and assured and doesn't seek to be the focal point.