39 Obnoxious People Who Can’t Seem To Understand The World Doesn’t Revolve Around Them

Let’s make one thing clear: Main character syndrome is not an official diagnosis. To avoid possible confusion, psychologist Dr. Susan Albers prefers to call it ‘main character energy,’ where a person presents themselves to the world as if they have a camera on them at all times. 

“Having that perspective — that you are the center of the story — naturally changes the way you present yourself to others and how you act in a public setting,” Dr. Albers told the Cleveland Clinic.

Main character syndrome and narcissistic personality disorder are not one and the same, and many people may confuse these two. However, they are closely related. As Dr. Albers explains, the difference is in the level of stability, where someone with NPD may exhibit their behaviors throughout their life and in different contexts in their relationships at work and at home. 

“For someone who has main character syndrome, this is something that may be the focus or mindset at certain periods of someone’s life and not in others,” Dr. Albers said.

As we noted in our intro section, the term "main character syndrome" originated in the social media age. And as Swansea University psychology professor Phil Reed points out, the advancement of digital technology can only exacerbate such behaviors. 

“The anonymity afforded by digital communication allows people to reinvent themselves, or, in extreme and potentially dangerous cases, to present entirely false versions of themselves, much more easily,” Reed wrote. 

Living in today’s world of instant gratification doesn’t mean everyone is prone to developing main character syndrome. There are ways to keep yourself grounded. Some tips from Medical News Today include practicing self-reflection, checking in with others, listening to feedback, and seeking professional help when needed.