Megalomania is a word that often describes an attitude characterized by an excessive focus on self-perfection, treated as a synonym for haughtiness or pride. The concept of national megalomania is also popular, meaning a belief in the superiority of a given nation due to its specific features. Examples of national megalomania include the conviction of descent from famous historical peoples, characteristic of Polish baroque Sarmatians, the idea that God has a special attitude towards a given group, as in the case of Polish nineteenth-century messianism, as well as the chosen Jewish nation, ascribing to one’s own nation only positive qualities, the belief that they occupy a central place in the world and the recognition of the superiority of their own culture, language and customs.
Megalomania, interchangeably called grandeur, is also a term used in psychology to identify a personality disorder that may be associated with a more severe one diseasessuch as schizophrenia, endogenous psychoses, and bipolar mania episodes. Megalomania they are usually unaware of their condition.
Megalomania – causes
A mania of greatness can be many reasons due to the variety of psychological diseases it accompanies. Conducive to the occurrence megalomania factors are the high activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. In addition to the aforementioned diseases, multiple sclerosis, temporal epilepsy and hyperthyroidism may also affect mood disorders associated with mania for size. Excessive increase in self-esteem also occurs after taking some psychoactive substances and drugs, especially antidepressants and antimalarial drugs. In case of megalomania treated as a character trait, psychologists see the causes of this phenomenon in emotional immaturity, because omnipotence, i.e. the belief in having omnipotence and omniscience, is a way of thinking that occurs naturally in young children. Moreover megalomania may, paradoxically, result from low self-esteem, constituting a defense mechanism to deal with shyness and the feeling of lack of competence.
Megalomania – symptoms
Megalomania associated with episodes of psychosis is characterized by a distorted image of reality, a belief in its own outstanding abilities and unlimited causative power, which may lead to a tendency to forge numerous unrealistic plans. megaloman he may often have a sense of a special mission that he wishes to accomplish no matter what. Such a person is incapable of self-criticism and self-distance, and their thoughts may be delusional. Similar behavior, although in slightly less extreme forms, can also be observed in people who are fully mentally healthy, but have personality and character traits that allow them to be called without hesitation. megalomanami. Such people get satisfaction from emphasizing their own achievements and capabilities, they treat others with superiority, valuing only those among whom they gain full approval, which turns into a deep conviction of their own infallibility. Megalomania makes them feel good even in situations of conflicts and crises. While this is not a disease, grandeur may have serious problems with building healthy relationships with other people because of their lack of realism, distance and self-criticism. Therefore, it is advisable to also have a tray megalomania they underwent psychotherapy.
Megalomania – treatment
Megalomania is not in itself a medical term and is not subject to treatmentand in the case of other disorders that may be accompanied, often many years of therapy and the use of appropriate pharmacological agents in disease episodes are necessary. People with psychosis can benefit from sedatives, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications.