Main character syndrome
Meaning
Main character syndrome describes the tendency for an individual to perceive and present their life as if it were a story, often exaggerating their own importance or central role in all events.
Origin
The phrase "main character syndrome" truly blossomed in the digital age, particularly across social media platforms like TikTok in the early 2020s. It wasn't coined by a specific psychologist but emerged organically from a cultural phenomenon: the pervasive trend of curating one's life online as a meticulously crafted narrative. People began filming aesthetic, cinematic montages of their daily routines, often set to dramatic music, envisioning themselves as the protagonist in their own ongoing film. This performative self-perception quickly spilled over into real-life interactions, giving rise to the descriptive, slightly mocking term for those who genuinely believe the world revolves around their personal storyline, casting everyone else as mere extras.
Examples
- Sarah always acts like everyone else is just a supporting character in her drama; it’s a classic case of main character syndrome.
- His main character syndrome was on full display when he tried to take credit for the entire team's project, claiming it wouldn't have happened without him.