Megalomania is a mental illness associated with narcissistic personality disorder, characterized by a need for total power and control over others and a lack of empathy. It can be expressed by genocidal maniacs, serial killers, dictators, fundamentalists, and politicians. It can also be associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but all these illnesses can be treated with medication.
Megalomania is an unrealistic belief in one’s superiority, grandiose abilities, and even omnipotence. It is characterized by a need for total power and control over others and is characterized by a lack of empathy for anything that is perceived as not nourishing the self.
While megalomania is a term often applied to anyone with a thirst for power, the clinical definition is that of a mental illness associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Narcissism is most simply defined as self-love. While it is considered healthy to look after one’s well-being and have healthy self-esteem, when someone loves themselves to the exclusion of all else and others are objectified to only be used to serve themselves, this is no longer considered healthy or normal.
There are several psychological theories about how and why NPD develops, most of which concern the integration of different aspects of the ego and self as a child and the nature of parental roles in that process. Regardless of the theory, NPD is characterized by extremely low self-esteem, offset by delusions of grandeur and megalomania, a narcissistic neurosis. With the propensity to act only on one’s own behalf, the unbridled need to feed one’s ego, and the objectification of others to serve the power-hungry needs of megalomania, it’s easy to see how this can be a recipe for disaster, especially when enveloped in a charismatic personality.
One of the best-known examples of megalomania in modern history was Adolf Hitler. A street waif, Hitler was not content to rise through the ranks to become Germany’s military leader. His megalomania drove him to aspire to conquer the whole world. Even being born into a “master race” wasn’t enough for the mentally ill Hitler. Instead, he wanted to wipe out all other races. This need to destroy everything other than what he perceived as an extension of himself is a classic example of megalomania, albeit a horribly illustrated one. Paradoxically, a person who displays such tremendous ego and self-confidence in reality has such low self-esteem and such a fragile ego that he cannot bear any expression other than his own, for fear of the annihilation of the self. So everything that is not under his control is perceived as a threat.
While genocide is an extreme example, serial killers can also suffer from megalomania. They objectify, then sacrifice their victims to exercise total control with a complete lack of empathy for the suffering of others.
The principles or characteristics of NPD and megalomania may also be expressed to a lesser extent or differently by what we might consider more mainstream than genocidal maniacs and serial killers. Among dictators, fundamentalists and politicians we find those who consider themselves morally superior with the willingness to sacrifice, kill or risk the safety of others considered inferior to assert their agendas. While there are legitimate circumstances in which leaders must exercise civilian or military force, or religious zealots may profess solemn beliefs, the line between religiosity and bigotry, between duty and megalomania, can be blurry. This is how the term became part of the vernacular of our culture.
Megalomania is also sometimes associated with bipolar disorder; a depressive illness characterized by mood swings from very low to very high. During the latter cycle, people often suffer from delusions of grandeur and feelings of infinite capacity. They talk about unrealistic plans and goals as if these plans and goals were within their reach.
Schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations and extreme paranoia, is often found alongside megalomania.
NPD, megalomania, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can all be treated with medication. If you or someone you know is experiencing manic moods, unrealistic delusions, or antisocial behavior, professional treatment is needed. Unlike a virus or a cold, these ailments won’t get better without treatment.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
