© Getty Images

Hot topic - Most of us have probably heard the terms "narcissism" and "narcissistic personality disorder," often used to describe people who appear overly self-centered, love showing off, and have a selfish attitude. 

© Shutterstock

Hot topic -

Recently, the topic has been receiving a lot more attention, particularly with content creators discussing it on social media. Experts are concerned that this trend is contributing to a worrying increase in self-diagnoses and misdiagnoses.

© Getty Images

Definition -

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that impacts how individuals perceive themselves and relate to others, extending far beyond simple arrogance or selfishness.

© Shutterstock

Origins -

The condition is named after Narcissus, a character from Greek mythology. As the story goes, Narcissus was so captivated by his own beauty that he couldn’t stop gazing at his reflection in a pool of water, ultimately drowning because of his extreme self-obsession.

© Getty Images

A step further -

But what happens when narcissism takes a darker turn? Recent research has uncovered a new condition, also inspired by Greek mythology, called Hubris syndrome.

© Shutterstock

Power trip -

History is filled with examples of leaders who let success go to their heads. This ancient Greek concept, "hubris," literally translates to "excess" and describes a dangerous state of inflated ego and arrogance.

© Getty Images

Legend has it -

A key example of Hubris syndrome is Xerxes, the Persian king, who, after feeling invincible, tried to conquer Greece. When a storm destroyed his bridge, he had the engineers executed and ordered soldiers to whip the sea. His extreme overconfidence showed he couldn’t accept failure, as he was consumed by hubris.

© Getty Images

Behavior traits -

People with Hubris syndrome believe their view of the world is the only valid one. They overestimate their abilities, often to an extreme, and see themselves as invincible. Even when faced with failure, they hold on to the belief that they are always right.

© Shutterstock

Destructive pattern -

This mindset fuels reckless decisions, a disregard for consequences, and even unethical behavior. When unchecked, this self-absorption can lead to a destructive spiral, dragging down both the leader and their organization or nation.

© Getty Images

Narcissism vs. hubris -

While narcissism is a deeply ingrained personality trait, hubris is a state of inflated ego that develops in individuals after they acquire significant power.

© Shutterstock

Narcissism vs. hubris -

Unlike narcissism, hubris is not a core personality flaw but rather a more temporary condition often observed in leaders.

© Getty Images 

More dangerous than narcissism -

While hubris often accompanies narcissism, the two differ in key ways. Narcissists have an inflated self-image and seek others' approval, but unlike those with hubris, they aren't so consumed by power that they lose touch with reality.

© Shutterstock

Pride vs. hubris -

Pride can lead to genuine appreciation for achieving a goal and recognition of others' contributions. In contrast, hubris turns an otherwise ordinary person into someone whose thirst for power becomes insatiable.

© Shutterstock

Arrogance vs. hubris -

Experts note that while life events can trigger personality changes, hubris involves gaining control that is then abused. A person may display some arrogance, but cause little harm to those around them.

© Shutterstock

Hubris takes over -

When hubris sets in, leaders lose their inhibitions. They become reckless and impulsive, making risky decisions that endanger themselves and the people, organizations, and nations they are responsible for.

© Getty Images

Personality traits -

Researcher Jean-Paul Selten of the University of Maastricht's Department of Psychiatry and Psychology states that toxic personalities often show traits like "exaggerated pride, contempt for others, and a distorted sense of reality."

© Shutterstock

Danger zone -

Selten emphasizes that individuals with these traits are particularly vulnerable to hubris when they gain positions of power.

© Getty Images

Taking the lead -

As hubris represents unchecked narcissism amplified by power, hubristic leaders, convinced of their own superiority, disregard boundaries and push the limits of acceptable behavior.

© Getty Images

To the extreme -

Their inflated sense of self, bordering on omnipotence, tends to fuel reckless actions that often lead to their downfall.

© Getty Images

Bright side -

While both narcissistic and hubristic individuals exhibit toxic leadership behaviors, narcissistic leaders often possess charisma and can effectively influence and motivate others.

© Shutterstock

Misuse of power -

While narcissism can have both positive and negative traits, hubris is marked by excessive dysfunction. Hubristic leaders misuse their power, driving toxic behavior as they relentlessly pursue personal and organizational goals, often ignoring the consequences.

© Getty Images

Closer to home -

Experts point out that hubris can manifest on a smaller scale, not just in powerful figures like world leaders and CEOs. It could even describe someone in your own circle—perhaps a cousin who's become overly demanding at family gatherings.

© Shutterstock

Red flag -

If the person wasn’t always this way but has recently transformed, especially after a significant change in their life (such as gaining wealth and power through a business), it could be a sign of hubris.

© Shutterstock

Diagnoses -

However, Selten cautions against hastily diagnosing Hubris syndrome in people whose pride doesn’t seem to reach extreme levels.

© Shutterstock

Diagnoses -

He emphasizes that while we shouldn’t be quick to label behavior as pathological, it is both appropriate and necessary to define hubris as a syndrome, especially because of its potentially dangerous impact on those who rise to positions of power.

© Getty Images

Recognizing the signs -

Look for significant, lasting changes in a person’s behavior over at least three months, typically following a period of overwhelming success or the acquisition of substantial power.

© Shutterstock

Recognizing the signs -

These shifts must occur in adulthood, with no other health conditions, like brain damage or physical illness, explaining the change.

© Shutterstock

Recognizing the signs -

The individual’s behavior becomes marked by extreme grandiosity, such as a sense of entitlement, self-centeredness, and condescension toward others. Additionally, impulsiveness and a lack of regard for others must increase over time.

© Shutterstock

The "medicine" -

In addition to exposing people with hubris to feedback, specialists suggest using humor and irony as ways to counter it. Irony emphasizes the contrast between appearances and reality, often serving as a subtle critique. Qualities like humor and cynicism can help protect against hubristic behavior.

Sources: (Psychology Today) (INSEAD Knowledge)

See also: What is the 'dark triad' of personality traits?

© NL Beeld