Feelings of Inferiority

Alfred Adler, a student of Freud's between 1900 and 1910, had been a sick and weak child. He had seen a younger brother die and been close to death himself several times. He overcame his fears, became a model youth, and went to medical school. His early medical practice was in a poor area that included a circus. He found that many of his patients were strong and skilled circus performers who had overcome and over-compensated for some physical weakness. It is understandable that Adler gave the concept of "inferiority complex" to the world (Monte, 1980).

Children see their parents as powerful and able. In comparison, they feel weak and inferior. Life becomes a struggle to make up for our frailties and to put up a front of strength and superiority that will hide our feelings of inadequacy. Adler came to believe that all people yearn for mastery and perfection. We all struggle to find our place and adapt better and better to the world. He saw this striving to overcome inferiority as humans' basic drive.

Certain parenting practices may cause excessive feelings of inferiority: over-critical, over-demanding, over-protective, over-controlling and probably others. Anyone with a negative self-concept based on these childhood experiences needs to start afresh honestly re-evaluating themselves. Professional help should be considered.

If your feelings of inferiority are interfering with your life, consider contacting your EAP counselor at 866/443-3277.