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A god complex is an unshakable belief characterized by consistently inflated feelings of personal ability, privilege, or infallibility.^[1] The person is also highly dogmatic in their views, meaning the person speaks of their personal opinions as though they were unquestionably correct.^[2] Someone with a god complex may exhibit no regard for the conventions and demands of society, and may request special consideration or privileges.^[2]

God complex is not a clinical term nor diagnosable disorder and does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The recognized diagnostic name for the behaviors associated with a god complex is narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). A god complex may also be associated with mania or a superiority complex.

The first person to use the term "god complex" was Ernest Jones (1879–1958).^[3] His description, at least in the contents page of Essays in Applied Psycho-Analysis, describes the god complex as belief that one is a god.^[4]

Jehovah complex is a related term used in Jungian analysis to describe a neurosis of egotistical self-inflation. Use included in psychoanalytic contributions to psychohistory and biography, with, for example, Fritz Wittels using the term about Sigmund Freud in his 1924 biography^[5] and H. E. Barnes using the term about George Washington and Andrew Jackson.^[6]

Wikiquote has quotations related to God complex.

• "The Shrink with a God Complex" by Ronald Hayman (April 22, 2001), Newsday, at McLemee.com