Self-centeredness can be reduced by adjusting distorted beliefs and fostering empathy. In this context, the goal becomes easier under certain circumstances. Do you want to meet them?
Egocentrism is the main characteristic of the infant stage. The inability to perceive the world from a different perspective than their own is common in children. However, when proper emotional development does not occur, this behavior can carry over into adulthood, where it can project serious inter and intrapersonal problems.
It is that, contrary to what it may seem at first glance, self-centered people are unhappy and feel insecure. The suffering they cause in their environment with their behavior is only a reflection of their instability and internal uneasiness. It is possible to reverse this situation, but only to the extent that the main stakeholder becomes aware and decides to make changes.
What are egocentric people like?
Many of us have at some point had the misfortune to come across an egocentric person. If our contact has been superficial, its presence will have remained in our memory merely as an unpleasant anecdote.
However, for those who establish deep relationships with these individuals the consequences can be devastating . Because if you bond with someone who only looks at himself, you will end up feeling invisible.
Self-centered people feel like the center of the world (and also the periphery). They constantly think of themselves and consider themselves important and special. Their only concern is their own opinions and interests, and they do not hesitate to ignore and belittle the thoughts and feelings of others.
They are despotic, arrogant and manipulative individuals. They are overconfident and self-confident. Their personal relationships are based on the benefit they can obtain from them. The egocentric will never show reciprocity since he is only concerned with his needs.
These people often have fantasies of success and power. They believe that they possess an unlimited potential that, at any moment, will lead them to the brightest success. The cult of self they profess is so high that it can make them completely devoid of empathy.
The reality of egocentrism
For all these reasons, self-centered people show themselves to others with a safety mask. They appear to have enormous self-esteem and high confidence. They pretend to be independent, self-sufficient, infallible, and successful.
But the reality is that behind this veil great insecurities and deficiencies are hidden. Their pose of arrogance and arrogance is a mere overcompensation of their fear that others will discover that they are insufficient. Well this is what they really think of themselves.
Their self-esteem is fragile, so they are hypersensitive to the slightest criticism. They exhibit their fictional character to gain approval that they do not give themselves, and that deep down they feel they do not deserve. They are related from manipulation, control and blackmail, because they do not believe they have what is necessary to be loved and accepted an equal and reciprocal bond.
How to reduce egocentrism?
As we see, egocentrism is a quality that generates suffering both in the egocentric individual and in those close to him. It is possible to reduce or eliminate this attitude and associated behaviors, through different interventions :
- It will be necessary to modify the cognitive distortions that the egocentric person has about himself. Adjust reality to your perceptions of importance, greatness, and infallibility. For this, it will be necessary to carry out a process of cognitive restructuring, addressing dysfunctional schemes.
- Working to achieve healthy self-esteem will help the individual learn to give himself real credit and approval. In this way it will not be necessary to project the fictional character to achieve praise and external recognition.
- Finally, it will be important to develop empathy and the ability to perceive the points of view of others. The egocentric will have to learn to divert the focus from himself to become more aware of the opinions, feelings and needs of those around him.
Finally, as social beings, we all want and need to truly show ourselves to others, as well as establish intimate and real interpersonal connections. If we hide behind a mask, if we refuse to look at the reality of others, we will be condemning ourselves to live a lonely, unsatisfied and unreal life.
Let's learn to accept ourselves as we are so that we can show ourselves without lies. Let us look at others and let them look at us. The walls protect us, but they also isolate us.
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