Do you know the telltale signs that reveal an egomaniac?
Egomania is closely related to another abnormal personality type that you are also probably familiar with: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). There are, however, some significant differences between egotism (also called egomania), NPD, and other conditions. Why is this important to mention? Because mislabeling someone can cause serious harm, especially to individuals already in pain.
For example, an individual experiencing clinical depression may appear overly self-involved. Still, this behavior is rooted in a different neurobiological cause (they can’t escape hopeless thoughts, speaking out in desperation, hoping someone will help.) Depression, in any form, is a severe condition that demands treatment.
Egotism, on the other hand, often entails unabashedly vocal self-centeredness; NPD often fits this description, as well. Furthermore, it’s incredibly rare for this type of person to seek help.
Just become you like to take selfies doesn’t make you an egomaniac – a true egomaniac has a psychological disorder that makes him believe he is the greatest, most important person in the world. You can also use the word to describe someone you know who’s a self-centered jerk, though. Egomaniac, coined in the early 19th century, combines ego, “the self,” and maniac, from the Greek mania, “madness or frenzy.”– vocabulary.com
With that in mind, we present ten common behaviors of an egomaniac:
1. Egomaniacs have extreme self-centeredness
Unsurprisingly, egomaniacs are highly self-absorbed individuals. They care for no one else’s wants or needs – the notion simply never crosses their mind.
Most people are “selfish” to a degree, in that they seek to first take care of themselves, but this is a natural way of thinking. An inability to look after oneself – or at least meet one’s basic needs – makes it tough to help anyone else.
Egotists never seek to help anyone, regardless of their circumstances.
2. Intense cruelty
The history books are full of megalomaniacal egotists who exhibited extreme cruelty: Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, and so on. Granted, few if any egotists will ever reach such extreme levels of inhumanity.
That said, egotists aren’t particularly concerned with the welfare (much less the feelings) of others. As such, it’s quite commonplace for them to exhibit irrational malice.
3. Egomaniacs are naive in their self-confidence
Charles Darwin, who infamously discovered the evolutionary theory, once said: “Ignorance frequently begets more confidence than does knowledge.”
Self-confidence is a beautiful attribute, lest such confidence originates from some misplaced sense of superiority rather than earned – which is often the case with egomaniacs.
4. Lack of empathy
As mentioned, egotists aren’t known for being considerate towards the feelings of others. Likewise, egotists do not contemplate others’ thoughts or opinions at odds with theirs. An egotist will demonstrate this absence of empathy in conversation, where they’ll disengage at the slightest notion of opposition and without explanation.
5. Sense of entitlement
An egomaniac has a sense of entitlement that falls in line with that of a narcissist. Egomaniacal narcissists misguidedly believe that their needs and wants require “favorable treatment;” any other reaction – or in some cases, non-reaction – from those involved are met with scorn and rage.
6. Egomaniacs have a complete lack of maturity
Sigmund Freud, in addition to most psychologists and psychiatrists, believes that humans are born in a state of egomania. One expert states, “Infants are primarily concerned with having their own needs met, and very young babies may not be aware of others (i.e. omnipotence) …(young) children eventually develop empathy and interest in others gradually over time.”
Egotists do not appear to undergo these (and other) psychological developments, which seems to correlate with their immature mindset.
7. Calculating and cold
Most egomaniacs possess traits similar to those with NPD. One particular attribute stands out: deliberate and calculated manipulation. Egomaniacs that fit his description perceive others as a means to an end. They’ll utilize whatever is at their disposal to get what they “deserve” before quickly discarding the person without remorse.
8. Ill temperament
Because of the egomaniac’s immature mindset, they generally possess undeveloped emotional intelligence. Their impulsivity, in conjunction with a limited capability to manage or adjust their emotions, often manifests into verbal fits and tirades. Egotists may become very aggressive, even physically.
9. Always alone
Egotists have such a high sense of self-importance that they perceive others as a waste of time. If one were to browse the Facebook page of a suspected egomaniac, there’d likely be very few (if any) photos with other people. At the workplace, it’s common to see these folks distance themselves using whatever means necessary.
10. A lust for extravagance
Not everyone who basks in luxury is an egomaniac – but a good number are. The strange thing about an egotist’s affinity for the extravagant is that they get less thrill from the actual item than from the attention it garners.
Final Thoughts on Revealing an Egomaniac
The characteristics and behaviors of egomaniacs are unmistakably distinct, creating a portrait of individuals consumed by their extreme self-centeredness. Their unwavering self-absorption, intense cruelty, and misguided self-confidence set them apart from the ordinary spectrum of human behavior. Egomaniacs lack empathy and exhibit a sense of entitlement, which further isolates them from the empathetic connections that bind society. Their perpetual immaturity and calculated manipulation tactics only deepen their alienation from the world around them.
With their ill-tempered outbursts and a preference for solitude, egomaniacs perpetually exist on the fringes of social circles, seemingly unable or unwilling to connect with others in meaningful ways. Their lust for extravagance is driven not by genuine enjoyment but by a desire for attention, highlighting their fixation on their own image.
In studying the traits of egomaniacs, we gain insight into a unique and challenging personality type, one that, thankfully, exists in a minority. While not all egotistical individuals may reach the extreme levels of historical figures like Hitler or Stalin, their consistent patterns of behavior and attitude underscore the importance of recognizing and understanding the complexities of human personality.
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