What is overcompensation in psychology?

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Overcompensation is a very peculiar mechanism that takes on a special meaning in the thought of Alfred Adler. Thus, in this article we talk about its formation and projection in adult life.

Written and verified by the psychologist Elena Sanz.

Alfred Adler developed individual psychology and highlighted the innate human need to overcome difficulties and self-actualize. This author pointed out that Our most powerful motivation comes from a feeling of inferiority bred in childhood. which we try to overcome using various defense mechanisms, including overcompensation.

As often occurs in psychological disorders, These mechanisms are useful and functional during childhood. However, if they continue to be used in adulthood, when environmental conditions have changed, they can cause problems.

The feeling of inferiority

It is during the first five years of life when the foundations of an individual’s personality are established. During this time, one of the phenomena to which Adler gives the most importance takes place: the feeling of inferiority develops.

Indeed, When we are children we all depend on the attention of our caregivers to survive.. We understand, then, that there are people more valid and capable than us. And we begin to feel fragile, insufficient and, ultimately, inferior.

However, it will be the education and treatment we receive from adults that will help us overcome or magnify this feeling. If the child is not treated as an equal, if he is overprotected or, on the contrary, the victim of excessive authoritarianism, he will not learn to take care of himself.. And, therefore, he does not develop enough confidence to function in society in a healthy way. The feeling of inferiority has become entrenched.

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However, it is important to note that this is, more than anything, a subjective perception. Although having a physical disability or a certain lack of skills can influence, It is mainly the perception that each person has of themselves that is decisive.

Once this uncomfortable feeling has settled, The child implements various coping mechanisms to protect his physical and psychological integrity.. It would be the one that was most useful in his childhood environment, the one that would become part of his adult personality.

The overcompensation

Overcompensation is one of these defense mechanisms with which we try to overcome the feeling of inferiority. It consists of doing the opposite of what, as children, hurt us.. Thus, if we were considered weak or insecure, we will try to show great strength and security. If we were considered clumsy or not very capable, we will try to accumulate merits and achievements.

This intolerable feeling of insecurity prevents us from relating in an open and natural way and It leads us to carry out exaggerated and meaningless actions. In short, we counterattack what was a real aggression from children, from an adult position in which it no longer makes sense.

At first glance, overcompensation may seem positive. Trying to overcome your childhood fears and limitations through effort sounds like a good strategy. However, the problem lies in excess.

When we consciously try to improve ourselves and work on ourselves, we are compensating. When we launch into a spiral of excessive and unconscious behaviors motivated by the fear of being inferior, we overcompensate.

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It is easy to distinguish those who genuinely strive to improve from those who act out of anguish and fear. Well, in the first case the person arouses sympathy and admiration. Meanwhile, in the second He turns out to be someone vain, pedantic and selfish. They are people who seek domination and prestige.

The key is to be flexible

Defense mechanisms are not negative in themselves. Sometimes, they are useful to us to maintain our psychological organization. However, when used excessively and motivated by childhood emotional damage, they are harmful. Thus, The objective will be to make them more flexible and adapt them to our current reality..

We will have to identify that feeling of inferiority and work on it in depth so that it stops marking our path. Thus our desires to improve, improve and succeed will be healthy and adaptive. Our actions will be genuine and will not be perpetuating our childhood insecurities.

We must learn to value and appreciate ourselves, to change that subjective feeling of fragility. In this way we can interact socially in a natural way. We will be able to show ourselves as we are, without the need to hide behind security masks and fictitious merits.