The Hero Complex is a compulsion to help others and make the world right. Although not officially considered a disorder or disease, there is an increasing number of people who 'suffer' from it. Many fictitious heroes and main characters seem to have this as well, but note that there is a difference between helping others out of choice and feeling compelled to. It may also be associated with Zoological Altruism- Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of close relatives, thus making it more likely to be passed on.
Traits Those who have a "Hero Complex" tend to feel that the current life they live is insufficient. For most, the need will ebb and flow. There will be days where they will ask questions like why they have had the role thrust upon them, if what they're doing is really going to make a difference, and sometimes even why they care in the first place.
Many believe that they could do more if they had the means to, whether it is in terms of money, power, or something else held in prestige. Most wait quietly believing that someday they will find these means, although some go out to "find" them on their own. They also often ask the question 'is this really enough?' or 'am I doing the right thing?' Usually such questions have a demoralizing effect, but many who have the Hero Complex will be motivated to find these answers. They are very loyal and dependable, and when given a challenge will almost always find a way to complete it...if they see it as a useful challenge. These traits make them great leaders and friends, for their extensive thought process makes them great at giving advice and opinions in addition to lending their abilities and talents when they can. However, the universal respect societies have for such people leads many to ignore the negative implications. Their high standards might not only carry the risk of overextending themselves and causing depression and withdrawal, they might lead the individual to become destructive (see "Villain-Complex" below).
In fulfilling these desires, they will take on a more benevolent behavior, and 'unlock' the true meanings of themselves. This is the true need of those who have a Hero Complex. Excellent examples of this are David Dunn of Unbreakable, Harry Potter, Goku from Dragon Ball Z, and Batman.
The person suffering from true Hero Complex will have hullicinations of saving the people they care about most. They have day dreams that include saving friends/family from fires, drowning, etc. They can also get a feeling inside of them like their stomach dropped ten feet. This usually occurs when they view someone in pain. Whether its a movie, video game, or real life, their Hero Complex can be triggered by someone elses misfortune. Crying is a big weakness for those with Hero Complex. Even if the person in need is an enemy, a Hero Complex will try to help. As stated above, this is not just having a "big heart" it is a compulsion to help others. If they dont they feel horrid and think they arent good people.
Causes While not everyone who has been disappointed at some point in their lives will develop a hero complex, almost everyone with one has been in some way or another. One cause may be trying to atone for a sense of worthlessness. This sense may be caused by underlying stress from the inability to complete certain everyday tasks. Alternatively, because of the lack of modern-day heroes, the sufferer may be trying to compensate for a loss of 'icons' in modern societies, and they look inward instead of outward for their own gratification. They may feel guilt for not helping others in the past, or they may have felt pain at a previous point in their lives and are motivated by fear of seeing that pain inflicted on others.
Coping Although there is no "treatment", many look for ways to find release from their troubled worlds instead of having to confront it. Often, a release can be found in video games, because of their allowance for one to enact heroic roles, or in personifications of heroes (i.e. Movies and comics or role-playing). The effects are not permanent, but can lead to an addiction to false realities. Perhaps the best thing for "victims" to do is accept there are some things we cannot change and others just need time. At other times, the best thing to do is to try to make a change, as long as the goal is within reach.
Villain Complex A few of those who have the Hero Complex may begin to turn towards the 'dark side'. This can happen to those who either have an objective so narrow (acquiring power, defeating a nemesis) that they lose sight of everything else, or those who become so powerful they begin to use might alone to set things right. The need to help becomes the want to hurt. They often lose sight of those they are trying to help, who they might even come to despise as weak and deserving of punishment. They become intolerable of weakness and anything that deviates from their vision of a perfect world, and before long, they become the oppressors when all they wanted was to set things right. Some, like Anakin Skywalker, do not even realize they are hurting those they were trying to help and do not see the negative impact they are having.
If left in this thinking too long, they may become unrecoverable. (i.e. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and Dr. Doom of Fantastic Four.)
Wow. You really hit the nail on the head with this article. I was curious as to whether I really had this complex or not, as many people have told me I am not destructive enough to do so, but all the things you listed such as depression, my stomach dropping 10 feet, and hallucinating people I love in need, all apply to me. Thank you so much for writing the article, because now I do not feel so alone. I may just want to come an talk to you about this issue. Thank you Renee!
Guest
2. 12-10-2010 14:56
wow. I guess this shit ain't made up coz I got all the symptoms. damn. What if everyone feels like this though?
Guest
3. 15-11-2010 20:11
thank you for this article, although i am frightened that i am becoming more of a villain than a hero.if any other information comes out on this complex i would like to know, once again thank you for this article
Guest
4. 18-11-2010 12:06
this is me exactly and i try coping its just not working and i cant just let it go i feel an obligation when i see someone crying or im told how much they need help and when i cant i feel like I locks me in room by myself as punishment
Guest
5. 26-11-2010 02:23
I'm glad there's actually something about this...I don't feel entirely insane now. I tried explaining the stomach drop thing to friends and they don't get it... I was beginning to feel pathetic
Guest
6. 01-12-2010 14:22
this article hit the head on the nail but the more i research im finding that other sources on the deinition of the hero complex are different. is there a chance to possibly gain one name for this and enter it into the "bible of phsycological complexes"?
Guest
7. 04-12-2010 01:16
B.S.
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8. 03-01-2011 21:19
My cousin was "a villian" decades ago for about 4 years of his life. For the last 10 years, he's developed the "hero complex"; as a way of trying to atone himself of his past (my opinion). This seems like a mental problem since it can be associated with depression, etc. He always feels the need to save the day for everyone which really isn't healthy... yet I we certainly don't want him to return to the "dark days". Is there any evidence of people cycling through villian complex to hero and back? Thanks for your insight
Guest
9. 07-01-2011 00:40
whilst i think that everyone may have a "complex" of some sort if you discribe enough characteristics of peoples behavour and catogrise it.
After reading this article i have found that i do have alot of these characteristics i have the dreams of saving loved ones or strangers from life or death situations i also have this huge sense of guilt if i dont help somone i see that is in need.
I constantly feel worthless in my achiements and as a result try to avoid small talk and social situations. Ive tried joining the Police a number of times been unsucessful due to other commitments but i keep trying becasue i know i will be in a posisition were i can help people and feel that im actually worth somthing.
I even get randomly upset when alone in the car if i listen to the news and hear of a tradjic story in the news i think of what i would of done in that situation and how i could of helped people
i also dream of winning the Euromillions (lotto) so that i can do random acts of cindness and help the most vulnrable in sociorty
my upbringing wasnt that bad although my mum was and alcholic and had her problems i was brought up by my gran who instilled a strong sence of right and wrong mainly through storys about world war 2 that my Grandad fought in.
In the family i have had a number of tradjic events in which i blame myself for "not being there".
So i guess i do have some form of this complex i guess i must learn to just deal with it and try not to act like such a weirdo
thank you for writing this article its helped me figure out what and why i feel the way i do
i apologise for the bad grammer as im rushing.
Guest
10. 11-01-2011 02:00
i've gotten told i had this complex, and i can honestly say i fit into alot of these categories. i go out of my way to help some to the point where it's actually put me in a worse position. thing is, i wouldn't change it. it's who i am. and for better or worse i've accepted it. hell there's worse things to be.
Guest
11. 05-07-2011 15:06
None can doubt the veracity of this atrcile.
Guest
12. 03-04-2012 01:14
Sooo, no cure for what ails then? I constantly have to remind myself that not everyone needs me. Just because they're in a bad way doesn't mean I need to save them, or that they even need saving. People are capable in and of themselves to take care of their own defense needs. "I'll be fine, and so will they, even if it hurts for a moment."
I strive to slightly less "lofty" goals; the best way I can help is to just focus on my own life and fix what's wrong or needs improvement *there* and let the world worry about itself. It's been doing that for billions of years, it won't be the worse for wear if I give it a rest for the next 50 or 60.
And yet I'll still have the day-dreams of saving people I know and love, and what I would do in "X" situation. It even makes me a little misty-eyed, every now and again. I think it's just a high, like any other; it's the brief adrenaline rush plus the psychological benefit of directing my actions in a way that I can immediately see the benefit of, and imagining myself as someone who would/could do that.
But I think it's having a negative impact, overall, on my life. I'm trying to go to school and get a degree. But in an especially boring class, one that is mind-numbingly simple and unfulfilling, I find myself resorting more and more to those things that I know I will find interesting/emotionally fulfilling.
There should totally be a "Hero's Complex Anonymous" support group.
