People who act like self-absorbed, entitled jerks whose life needs to be the center of everyone’s attention often possess the main character syndrome. It’s probably safe to say that nearly everyone has encountered a person like this — whether they're an aspiring artist, influencer, or simply were told they deserve more and are better than everyone else ever since they were a child.
It’s important to note that the main character syndrome is not an actual condition. It’s rather a term that refers to someone who acts as if they’re the star in the movie about their life. And spotting such people is quite easy. They’re always at the center of drama and believe everyone from their manager to their neighbor is a villain or simply there to support their leading role.
According to Phil Reed, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Swansea University, the main character syndrome is a vague term that has more media and social media usage than scientific.
"The term refers to a wide range of behaviors and thoughts, but, at root, it is when somebody presents, or imagines, themself as the lead in a sort of fictional version of their life (usually their own, although sometimes, disturbingly, somebody else’s), and presents that 'life' through social media."
Sure, almost everyone showcases a slightly better version of themselves, especially online. Some folks engage in self-image manipulation because they feel the need to highlight their best and most memorable moments. At the same time, they tend to leave out the mundane. Usually, there are not that many things for people to promote and boast about in their daily routines. That’s why some come up with and share stories that would still make their life seem exciting.
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Reed argued that presenting different aspects of themselves in different situations and contexts to highlight aspects of their personality is entirely acceptable. "In fact, this may make social interactions easier and safer."
But in contrast, "those with main character syndrome seem to want to be somebody else entirely. So, while almost everybody will self-present, to some extent, not everybody has main character syndrome."
It turns out that such a mentality can come with a sense of entitlement. Well, no wonder why. These characters can be delusional about their reality and often present a false image of themselves, believing they somehow deserve our attention by simply uploading countless photos of themselves and sharing their thoughts online. "Digital communication platforms make it easier for people to fall into the trap of main character syndrome," the professor explained.
Reed also mentioned it could be suggested that main character syndrome "shares traits with psychological problems, like narcissistic personality disorder, and any disorder involving delusions." While this might only be the case for a minority of people, "this type of fantasy can lead to behaviors that eventually mimic those seen in personality disorders" if it becomes too rooted in the person's mind.
He continued: "Escape-maintained fantasy behaviors may also be a severe problem for those vulnerable to developing psychological issues, like anxiety and depression, and not just personality disorders."
Treating others like props and having the urge to always be at the center of everyone’s attention should never be justified. However, "some view main character syndrome as a form of empowerment — a way of reinventing oneself to take control". But Reed explained this could just add to the problems of that person.
"If somebody needs to reinvent themself, then there is more than likely something fundamentally wrong with their life and/or their living environment. Developing a digital fantasy-life is, at best, a distraction, that will fuel further problems, and prevent the person from addressing what needs to be addressed," the professor noted.
