“Exaggerated sensitiveness is an expression of the feeling of inferiority.”
- February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937
- Austrian
- Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Founder of Individual Psychology
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Quote
“Exaggerated sensitiveness is an expression of the feeling of inferiority.”
Explanation
This quote captures a core insight of Alfred Adler’s psychology: hypersensitivity often masks deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. When individuals are excessively sensitive to criticism, rejection, or perceived slights, it is not merely a personality trait—it is a defensive response to a fragile sense of self-worth. Such individuals may interpret neutral or minor events as personal attacks because they already view themselves through a lens of inferiority.
Adler emphasized that everyone experiences a degree of inferiority, especially during childhood, but mental health depends on how one compensates for or grows beyond that feeling. When a person fails to constructively address it, they may instead become overly reactive, interpreting the world as hostile or judgmental. This exaggerated emotional response is less about the actual situation and more about the unresolved internal belief that one is not good enough or cannot measure up.
In today’s world, this dynamic appears in many forms—whether in personal relationships, social media interactions, or professional settings. A person might withdraw, lash out, or feel wounded over minor feedback, not because the feedback is harsh, but because it touches a core wound of inadequacy. Recognizing exaggerated sensitiveness as an expression of inferiority allows for greater empathy and more effective psychological support, focusing not on silencing sensitivity, but on healing the self-perception that fuels it.
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