The meaning of grandiose
The Definition of Grandiose
Grandiose, or grandiosity, has specific meanings in psychology and mental health. This term is a feature of severe personality disturbance and a symptom of major mental illness.
What does grandiose mean?
Grandiose delusions are false beliefs about inflated power, knowledge, skills, and self-worth. People hold these beliefs even when there is clear contrary evidence (1).
In mental health, this term refers to a state that occurs in bipolar disorder during periods of extreme mood elevation known as hypomanic and manic episodes. Grandiose delusions occur in over 60% of those diagnosed with this condition (2). Grandiose delusions may also occur in psychotic disorders. Around half of those diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibit grandiosity (2). Other types of delusions can occur in these conditions (e.g., delusions of persecution).
Grandiosity also occurs in personality conditions, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Personality disorders involve ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that significantly deviate from what is considered 'normal' in a particular culture. People with NPD are highly self-absorbed and egotistical to the point where their lives are severely affected.
Delusions of grandeur
This expression refers to extreme grandiosity (or delusional disorder) (3). Some of the key indicators of grandiosity include (4,5):
An unrealistic sense of superiority over others
Negative attitudes and feelings towards those viewed as inferior
Lack of awareness or acknowledgement of these attitudes by the person affected
Highly critical of others
Extreme selfishness
Very self-focused
Lack of remorse or concern for hurting others.
Treatment
Grandiosity is usually addressed while treating the underlying psychiatric or personality condition. Both medication and talking therapies are used to manage grandiosity and treat the underlying causes. Medical advice should be sought for diagnosis or treatment. You can find additional information on treatment on this NHS webpage.
Further reading
Daniel Nettle has written this useful overview of personality.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
References
(1) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
(2) Knowles, R., McCarthy-Jones, S., Rowse, G. (2011). Grandiose delusions: A review and theoretical integration of cognitive and affective perspectives. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(4), 684-696. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.02.009
(3) https://dictionary.apa.org/grandiosity
(4) O'Reilly, C. A., & Hall, N. (2021). Grandiose narcissists and decision making: Impulsive, overconfident, and skeptical of experts-but seldom in doubt. Personality and individual differences, 168, 110280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110280
(5) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/grandiose-delusion
