Savior complex
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". In psychology, a savior complex is an attitude and demeanor in which a person believes they are responsible for assisting other people.[1] A person with a savior complex will often experience empathic episodes and commit to impulsive decisions such as volunteering, donating, or advocating for a cause.[2] A person with the complex will usually make an attempt to assist or continue to assist even if they are not helpful or are detrimental to the situation, others, or themselves.[3]
It is often associated with other disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and is commonly used interchangeably with the similar term 'Messiah complex'.[4] Like Messiah complex, savior complex is not mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and is not recognized as a clinical term or diagnosable condition.
Examples
Savior complex is often seen in those who struggle with self-worth and exclusively feel good when helping other people. Some traits of this concept are:[5][6]
- Attraction to vulnerability and codependency: Seeking relationships with those who appear to need some form of assistance or "fixing".
- A desire to change people: Wanting to change the actions and beliefs of others thinking that it would be beneficial for them, whether it truly is or not.
- Making excessive sacrifices: Often putting others in front of one's own needs, and being left drained. This ultimately leads to the "savior" being far less motivated and helpful than they want to appear.