Superman Complex

A Superman Complex is an unhealthy sense of responsibility, or the belief that everyone else lacks the capacity to successfully perform one or more tasks. Such a person may feel a constant need to "save" others.

The expression seems to have been first been used by Dr. Fredric Wertham in his 1954 book Seduction of the Innocent and his testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. He claimed that children reading Superman comic books were exposed to "phantasies of sadistic joy in seeing other people punished over and over again while you yourself remain immune."

A Superman complex is what occurs to young adults and adults, specifically men that are between the age of 17 through 35. Nothing can damage them. Superman is nearly invincible as they see themselves within these years. Whether by accomplished superiority in a physical fight, a mental battle with a test or an exam, or a witty remark between friends or against a person that one feels needs ridiculing.

Once there is an occurrence to the individual who has a superman complex, such as an injury, or a stubborn point that gets undermined, the person then realizes there is a limit to the abilities of that person physically and mentally, this reminds the individual of his physical and mental limits to the "Superman Complex".

A "Superman Complex" can also be a result of traumatic stress, where it takes an underlying form, and comes out only when a similar situation occurs.