[rdgrad15]

This is just a general question that popped into mind not too long ago. I've wondered, for those who have been bullied for years as a child can grow up to have a sense of superiority themselves? I am not making any excuses to people who act like they are better than others but I have wondered if it can cause it. It wouldn't happen to everyone, I have been bullied a lot as a child too and I definitely don't think I am better than others.

The reason I wonder if it can lead to a superiority complex is because when someone is bullied, people tend to lift the person who is being bullied up by saying they are better than the bully. So basically, every time they are harassed by someone, people say they are better than those who harass them. As a result, some people may start to think they really are better than them, which can be true, and then start to think they are better than everyone else too as a coping mechanism. This is not the case for all people. Just some. Just wondered if years of bullying by multiple people can cause people to be stuck up? Just curious on what you guys think.

[Sunflower123]

I was viciously bullied for years at school. Quite the opposite of feeling superior. It left psychological scars, trust issues and low self esteem.

I would definitely think the opposite to be true. But a more appropriate thing to say would be "You're better than THAT" meaning the bully' s behavior. No one is better than anyone else.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by iPhone

I would definitely think the opposite to be true. But a more appropriate thing to say would be "You're better than THAT" meaning the bully' s behavior. No one is better than anyone else.

Yeah makes sense. I agree, I have been bullied myself and most people have low self esteem from it. But I have heard people who were trying to comfort the victim of a bully tell them that they were better than them, which I agree, really isn't the best way to put it since no one is better than anyone.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I was viciously bullied for years at school. Quite the opposite of feeling superior. It left psychological scars, trust issues and low self esteem.

Same here. For most people, that is the unfortunate end result. Low self esteem, trust issues, and various other problems. What I think the problem with some people is that they tell some victims of bullies that they are better than the bullies, therefore, believing what they were told and begin to have a superior complex. I've heard people say that to others before, which isn't the best way to put it. As someone else posted, saying you are better than their behavior is better than saying you're better than the person.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by rdgrad15

Same here. For most people, that is the unfortunate end result. Low self esteem, trust issues, and various other problems. What I think the problem with some people is that they tell some victims of bullies that they are better than the bullies, therefore, believing what they were told and begin to have a superior complex. I've heard people say that to others before, which isn't the best way to put it. As someone else posted, saying you are better than their behavior is better than saying you're better than the person.

I too was viciously bullied and I think this is a good post

[Mountaindewed]

Yes I feel that way.

The kids that bullied me are now in jail, dead, have multiple kids with multiple different partners and or are still on drugs. I have a job, a good family situation chose animals instead of kids and have very little problems. I do think I have become a bit smuggish/conceited because of this.

But I also have family members/ therapists saying that I am doing better then them. Not that I'm better then they are.

Except for my mom who says I am better then they are.

[Onward2wards]

Why can't these experiences potentially lead to an inferiority complex, OR a superiority complex, OR both outcomes in different situations? The mind can pull some weird tricks to defend itself.

oh interesting. I was bullied for 12 years at work and now I do find myself with a bit of a superiority complex. It is just that I feel like my bully held me to such a high standard and now I am naturally at a high standard so I lose patience with people who are just clueless and unable to do their non high standard work and pay no price for it. I say the word "idiot" at least 15 times per day and then flinch because my abuser used to say that.

I feel this way. I regard bullies as subhuman and genetically inferior. I firmly believe that anybody who preys on the weak should be enslaved and bent to our will. Bullies deserve to be second class citizens with less rights then us "real" humans. Bullies are cowards and cowardice is a weakness that deserves to be harshly punished.

I also believe that everybody who has been hurt in a significant way due to an illness (physical or mental), because they like different things, because they are a different gender, sexual orientation, believe a different religion or believe in no religion at all, because their parents are abusive pieces of garbage, or because they're a little bit socially awkward, yet doesn't become a bully themselves, are the most superior types of humans and the ones who deserve to run the world.

My views on this topic are extreme I know and if I offended somebody, I'm sorry. This is my opinion though and I'm sticking to it.