Generality
Megalomania is a psychopathological manifestation characterized by an exaggerated appreciation of oneself and one's abilities.
The megalomaniac subject typically assumes attitudes of superiority, tends to lead the way and undertakes to carry out disproportionate tasks with respect to his own strength.
A useful approach to overcoming this attitude is psychotherapy.
Causes
In some cases, megalomania originates from a conflictual relationship with self-image ; this can manifest itself from childhood through exposure to very negative judgments, accompanied by derision, contempt or other people's compassion. Megalomania would therefore be a sort of shield with respect to the negative image that the subject has of himself, determined by low self-esteem and profound insecurity.
At other times, self-aggrandizement depends on a conception of individual greatness that torments the megalomaniac and can arise as a result of too high expectations from the reference models.
Megalomania can be a symptom of paranoid and manic disorders. In most cases, however, there are no real underlying pathologies, but character tendencies to arrogance and the desire to impose one's image and thought in an authoritarian way.
How it manifests itself
Megalomania is manifested in the concept of being considered at all costs superior to any other person. This induces the subject who suffers to seek in others the confirmation of his own qualities; the direct consequence of this attitude is the will not to accept or to oppose anyone who is talented or demonstrates an intelligence close to the idealized image.
The megalomaniac also lives in a state of permanent manic excess, that is, of exaggerated enthusiasm and an exaggerated self-esteem. This behavior makes him presumptuous, arrogant, selfish and exhibitionist.
In reality, the megalomaniac has a very low self-esteem and is vulnerable to the slightest criticism. If the level of stress increases, he can easily have a depressive collapse and incur a state of inertia or, on the contrary, he can show the tendency to challenge the world ( manic hyperactivity ).
Over time, megalomania can lead to a separation between the reality of the surrounding world and the subject, who loses the right measure of the values of people, things and their actions.
Diagnosis and treatment
On the diagnostic level, the megalomaniac presents both histrionic and narcissistic traits of the personality.
The histrionic does his best to draw attention to himself and gain the admiration of others; the narcissist, on the other hand, has an immense self-esteem and considers himself an extraordinary individual.
Megalomania can be treated with cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy .
The aim of this intervention is to investigate the origins of this attitude and understand where the conception of the negative self-image comes from.
Psychotherapy will also have to face the defense mechanisms that may arise in opposition to grandeur, such as the state of inertia or manic hyperactivity. Finally, the treatment will have to resolve the entrenched dependence of the subject on the opinion of others, helping him to overcome the conflict between the social image visible to others and the internalized image that coincides with his identity.
Furthermore, depending on the specific needs of the patient, the doctor can indicate a pharmacological treatment based on antidepressants or mood stabilizers . If the subject is a victim of delusional ideas, instead, antipsychotics could be prescribed.
