The Savior Complex is a powerful force that has been plaguing the world for centuries. It’s the belief that you can save others from their problems, even if it means sacrificing yourself in the process. It can lead to a dangerous mental condition that may justify great feats of heroism, but also terrible acts of violence and destruction.
People who are afflicted with it are driven to help others in order to make themselves feel better or more important. While this may sound like a noble thing, it often causes harm by hurting their relationships with those they try to help (and subsequently causing them to hurt others).
In this article we will discuss what exactly the Savior Complex is and how you can avoid becoming afflicted with it yourself.
What is a savior complex?
So, what exactly is a savior complex? The term refers to an unhealthy belief that you’re responsible for helping others, or even saving them from themselves. In some cases, this can lead to a kind of savior-victim relationship wherein the person with the complex feels they must take care of someone who is more vulnerable than themselves.
Often, this is accompanied by feelings of superiority and being in control of others. The person may also be motivated by the desire to be recognized for their good deeds. A savior complex can also be used to describe someone who believes they have an obligation to rescue others from their problems. In this case, the person may feel a sense of duty or obligation that supersedes other responsibilities. This can lead them to ignore their own needs in favor of helping others, which can be harmful when it becomes an unhealthy compulsion.
How does a savior complex form?
Savior complexes can form as a result of trauma and abuse, or from a lack of self-confidence or purpose. It’s also possible that a savior complex may be the result of your desire to help others, or even the need to feel needed. It’s important to note that a savior complex is not the same as empathy, which is feeling what others feel and being able to put yourself in their shoes.
Empathy can be an important part of a healthy self-concept, but it’s not the same as feeling responsible for someone else’s happiness. If you feel that you need to make everyone happy or solve their problems in order to feel good about yourself, then this could be a sign that your own needs are being neglected.
The dark side of the savior complex.
The savior complex can lead to feelings of anger, frustration and resentment. If you feel like you’re constantly saving someone from themselves, then it’s easy for those feelings to become projected onto them. The person who you feel like you’re saving may not be grateful for your efforts, and you may start to feel unappreciated. They may even resent you for trying to control their life or make decisions for them. The only person who can save someone is themselves, and if they don’t want to be saved then it’s up to them to find a way out of their own situation.
When someone is experiencing problem after problem, then it’s natural to start thinking that they’re not capable of saving themselves. This can lead to feelings of entitlement and self-righteousness–the savior thinks they need to take control over their situation. They force solutions that would work for them, but might not necessarily be the best for others.
Why is it so hard to confront a savior complex?
It’s hard to confront a savior complex because of the way the mind works and how it deceives you. You brain may trick you into believing that you’re doing good things. You may be so convinced that you’re helping others, that it becomes difficult to see when you’re actually hurting them. You may also be so caught up in the idea of being a savior that you’re unable to see other sides of the story. You may be too attached to your own ideas about how things should happen, and this can lead you to become angry or hurt if others don’t agree with you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others.
If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms above, the best way to confront a savior complex is by becoming more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Observe yourself in different situations, evaluate how people react around you and ask questions about why things are happening the way they are.
The most important thing is not letting your pride get in the way of getting better–something that’s easier said than done when it feels like everyone else has it together except for you!
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. We all need each other, and we all have something unique to contribute. The key is finding the right balance between relying on others and taking responsibility for your own life.
