Modern slang moves faster than ever. The social media age alone has brought about a good number of new colloquial expressions. And if you consider yourself an “old-timer,” you may have a difficult time keeping up.
One of these new terms is “main character syndrome.” As the name suggests, it describes a person who views their life as a Hollywood movie in which they are the lead protagonist. And in doing so, they project attention-seeking, entitled behavior that easily annoys those around them.
Here are some examples shared by members of the I Am The Main Character subreddit. You’ve likely seen some of these people out in the wild, all of whom deserve the spotlight online.
#1 He Is The Main Character
© Photo: Few-Ad4671
#2 It’s Chuck’s World Those Farmers Are Just Living In It
© Photo: Bambi69xoxo
#3 Guy Trying To Live In A Movie
© Photo: youtube_candysmash
Let’s make one thing clear: Main character syndrome is not an official diagnosis. To avoid possible confusion, psychologist Dr. Susan Albers prefers to call it ‘main character energy,’ where a person presents themselves to the world as if they have a camera on them at all times.
“Having that perspective — that you are the center of the story — naturally changes the way you present yourself to others and how you act in a public setting,” Dr. Albers told the Cleveland Clinic.
#4 An Adorable Mc
© Photo: anon
#5 What Life Choices Lead A Person To Be Like This?
© Photo: reddit.com
#6 Hunger Can't Wait For Seizures!
© Photo: Inedible-denim
Main character syndrome and narcissistic personality disorder are not one and the same, and many people may confuse these two. However, they are closely related. As Dr. Albers explains, the difference is in the level of stability, where someone with NPD may exhibit their behaviors throughout their life and in different contexts in their relationships at work and at home.
“For someone who has main character syndrome, this is something that may be the focus or mindset at certain periods of someone’s life and not in others,” Dr. Albers said.
#7 5 Pm, Rush Hour. At Least 3 Cars Are Waiting In Line To Get To A Pump. These Guys Have Been Finished Pumping Gas And Have Been Holding A Casual Conversation For 8 Minutes At This Point
© Photo: HansGruberHk
#8 Squashing Supermarket Oranges Just To Get A Good Portrait
© Photo: leblanvac
#9 Forbidden To Use One's Own Name
© Photo: dota2botmaster
As we noted in our intro section, the term "main character syndrome" originated in the social media age. And as Swansea University psychology professor Phil Reed points out, the advancement of digital technology can only exacerbate such behaviors.
#10 About That Faith In Humanity
© Photo: mr_greenmash
#11 Starring: Yearbook's Photo Editor!!
© Photo: @brando_writes
#12 Today’s Xkcd Is On Point
© Photo: donutello2000
“The anonymity afforded by digital communication allows people to reinvent themselves, or, in extreme and potentially dangerous cases, to present entirely false versions of themselves, much more easily,” Reed wrote.
#13 Guy Couldn’t Bribe Someone To Change Their Beliefs, Posts Selfie Instead
© Photo: @stkirsch
#14 This Twitch Streamer Sitting The Wrong Way On My Motorcycle Without Permission Parked Near Twitch Con For Her Stream And Then Yelling At Me For Interrupting Her Stream
© Photo: reddit.com
#15 Evidently, Her Skin Tone Is The Only One That Should Be Considered When Making Bandaids
© Photo: reddit.com
Living in today’s world of instant gratification doesn’t mean everyone is prone to developing main character syndrome. There are ways to keep yourself grounded. Some tips from Medical News Today include practicing self-reflection, checking in with others, listening to feedback, and seeking professional help when needed.
#16 This Has To Be Satire, Right?!?!
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#17 🤡
© Photo: Presideum
#18 When You Just Want To Watch Hockey As A Christian
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#19 Mc ??
© Photo: Infamous_Fig7614
#20 Becca's Wedding
© Photo: Drprim83
#21 Oh Dear
© Photo: @Cobratate
#22 Lil Pump Was Surprised When People In Japan Didn't Recognise Him
© Photo: tjasper88
#23 Good Thing They Are Definitely Not Being A Stereotype
© Photo: GoodVibesWow
#24 Oh, So This Is Target’s Fault...right
© Photo: DoctorTurkelton
#25 “No Thanks 👋🏾 “
© Photo: Direct-Friendship650
#26 This Is Her Hallway How Dare You Use That To Walk
© Photo: anon
#27 Vegan Cries Because Apple Won't Delete The Meat Emoji
© Photo: anon
#28 How To Get Yourself Banned From A Restaurant And Waste The Waitstaff’s Time
© Photo: cottageyarn
#29 He Must Be Losing It
© Photo: reddit.com
#30 When The Dad Knows How To Play Reverse UNO 😂
© Photo: Orbisthefirst
#31 The Swifty Recruitment Ceremony Was Interrupted
© Photo: AssumptionNo5436
#32 Very True
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#33 How Many People Did This Chick Run Off The Road?
© Photo: Educational-Painting
#34 I'd Love To Be Able To Read The Group Chats That He's Not In
© Photo: reddit.com
#35 I Haven't Checked Out The Context, But They Are Getting Dragged On Fb
© Photo: Scarletwitch713
#36 Wants To Be The Bachelorette So Bad
© Photo: platonic_rubbing
#37 Couple Raise $62k To Try To Buy Rights To Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas’ Because They Hate It And Never Want It To Be Played Again. Article Link In First Comment
© Photo: the-other-kennedy
#38 My Friend Put His Wedding Photos Up Today And The Bestman (Who Made A Lot Of The Day About Him) Inboxed Me This. After The Speech On The Day He Kept Going Up To Girls And Saying "My Speech Was The Best Ay"
© Photo: reddit.com
#39 Passenger On A Hijacked Plane Asked To Take A Photo With The Hijacker
© Photo: Shot-Ad5867