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People like to stand out from the crowd. Be unique and act differently. And it’s well and fine when you’re a teenager still building your personality and finding what you like and don’t like. But this struggle to not be like others to get attention gets stale really quickly when you’re an adult. You realize that the ‘not like other people’ phase is just that – a phase, and it seems pretty cringy in real life.

The I’m The Main Character community gives a pretty healthy dose of shaming to those guilty of constantly wanting to be the center of attention. It’s a subreddit with over 1.3 million members who like to roast self-absorbed people. I mean, if they were foolish enough to post their main character syndrome behavior, they need to be able to take the ridicule, right?

Bored Panda also reached out to Alexander Danvers, Ph.D., a social psychologist and Director of Treatment Outcomes at Sierra Tucson, who researches emotions and social interactions.

We asked him how professionals would describe 'Main Character Syndrome,' why some people act this way, and whether we all have some of that main character energy in us. After all, we're all the main characters of our lives, aren't we?

#1

Tesla Owner Thought They Were The Main Character…they Were Wrong

Tesla Owner Thought They Were The Main Character…they Were Wrong

onemintyisland Report

The popularity of the I'm The Main Character subreddit is a testament to how people detest those who publicly act like they're at the center of the world. The community also has one condition for its posts: they have to feature "deliberate attention-seeking behavior, entitlement, or individuals thinking they are more privileged than anyone else."

The subreddit is also against discrimination, harassment, racism, misogyny, bigotry, or personal attacks. Even if the main characters featured on the subreddit are extremely rude, the rules ask members not to harass them on their social media. The same goes for discussions among members: "There is always a real human with emotions behind the screen," the group cites Reddiquette.

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#2

Cat Thinks Its The Main Character

Cat Thinks Its The Main Character

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#3

They Were Definitely Looking At Them

They Were Definitely Looking At Them

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To learn more about 'Main Character Syndrome' from a psychology professional's perspective, we reached out to Dr. Alex Danvers. Because the term gets thrown around online quite frequently, we were curious to know whether psychologists and mental health experts characterize it as a medical diagnosis.

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"'Main Character Syndrome' isn't a medical diagnosis," Danvers tells us. "It's a pop culture term, which means it has a looser definition, and people can use it in different ways. Typically, I see it used to mean that someone sees their life as a story—a TV drama or a romantic comedy—and puts themselves in the starring role."

#4

Invading Someone's Privacy And Insulting Them

Invading Someone's Privacy And Insulting Them

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#5

“Not My Order?” I Don’t Know What That Even Means…

“Not My Order?” I Don’t Know What That Even Means…

Parvinder_91 Report

#6

Thinks The World Stops For Him Because He Spent Too Much On His Truck

Thinks The World Stops For Him Because He Spent Too Much On His Truck

TheTyGuy1127 Report

Dr. Danvers says that such a mindset can change the way a person thinks. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways. "At the problematic end, it can make the person too focused on themselves, always trying to shift conversations and social situations to center around the drama of their personal story."

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"This can cause someone to overlook other people’s thoughts or feelings, treating them as supporting characters. That can feel, to friends, like a lack of empathy or rudeness."

"But it can also lead to behaviors that are pretty common and less problematic," Danvers continues. "Like trying to present yourself as positively as possible or focusing on documenting your life on social media over engaging in the moment."

#7

Who Does This?!

Who Does This?!

Individual-Sir9004 Report

#8

Starring: Yearbook's Photo Editor

Starring: Yearbook's Photo Editor

brando_writes Report

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#9

Surely This Ain’t Real…

Surely This Ain’t Real…

inkwitxh Report

Danvers also notes that people engaging in narcissistic and entitled behavior might be masking other feelings, like feeling insecure or like they're not in control. "If someone is giving big main character energy, there's probably something deeper going on, and there are likely aspects of their life they aren't happy with," the social psychologist explains.

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#10

Main Character At Starbucks

Main Character At Starbucks

IsThisAUserName86 Report

#11

What Kind Of Welcome Was He Expecting?

What Kind Of Welcome Was He Expecting?

Vemonis Report

#12

The Pic Really Emphasizes Her Point

The Pic Really Emphasizes Her Point

WestProcess2 Report


In recent years, there has been much discussion about how people do not know how to act in public spaces anymore. Concertgoers keep throwing things at celebrities during concerts, and kids are destroying testers and being mean to Sephora employees. Did we forget how to act when we're not at home?

"The pandemic made a lot of people feel more anxious and less connected," Alex Danvers says. Since unhappiness and anxiety in daily life can lead to narcissistic behavior, he agrees that the pandemic and social media play a role in how we conduct ourselves in public spaces.

#13

The Bride Who's Wedding Cake Was A Life Size Version Of Herself Is Pretty Mc Behaviour

The Bride Who's Wedding Cake Was A Life Size Version Of Herself Is Pretty Mc Behaviour

mitcheg3k Report

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#14

Couldn't Be Bothered

Couldn't Be Bothered

Bolle27 Report

#15

It's Like You're Obsessed With Me Or Something

It's Like You're Obsessed With Me Or Something

CantHaveShiOnReddit Report

"Depending on the way you use social media, it can be very anxiety-provoking," Danvers observes. "People do a lot of self-comparison there and can find themselves wanting. Becoming the main character of the story of your life is a way of using fantasy to cope with a harsh world."

"Right now, the world feels very uncertain and potentially dangerous to a lot of people," Dr. Danvers invites us to sympathize with the main characters. "There are wars, political instability, concerns about disease, and concerns about harms from climate change. These are real things that produce real anxiety, and in daily life, it often feels like we as individuals can't take action to meaningfully improve things."

#16

Omg I Visibly Cringed

Omg I Visibly Cringed

basementfox69420 Report

#17

How Rude To Advertise Ice Cream In A Day I Can’t Eat It!

How Rude To Advertise Ice Cream In A Day I Can’t Eat It!

hiphoptomato Report

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#18

Lol

Lol

Rollyman1 Report

Danvers says that people's self-absorbed behavior can become a way to deal with those problems. "That's when fantasy can come in as a protective measure—you might want to imagine that you're the hero in a scripted story because things always work out for them. What becomes important is the drama and learning the life lesson that the 'episode' was meant to teach."

That said, Dr. Danvers cautions against losing yourself in that kind of fantasy. "Of course, life doesn't come in episodes with conflicts that neatly resolve themselves, and this worldview can mess up people's real relationships with their real friends and family."

#19

Nipsey Hussle, Main Character

Nipsey Hussle, Main Character

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#20

I Thought Of You People!

I Thought Of You People!

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#21

Tour Guide Has The Spotlight😄

Tour Guide Has The Spotlight😄

rip-21 Report

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The term 'Main Character Syndrome' is weird in a way. Because, when you think about it, aren't we all the main characters of our story? "In a general sense, we are the main characters of our lives," Danvers somewhat agrees. "Like a novel written from the first-person perspective, we can only really know our own thoughts and experience our own lives."

#22

The Bus Is Full And Multiple People Asked Her To Make Room And She Refused Because She Doesn’t Feel Safe Sitting Next To Other People

The Bus Is Full And Multiple People Asked Her To Make Room And She Refused Because She Doesn’t Feel Safe Sitting Next To Other People

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#23

“Hate When People Don’t Recognize Me For How Much I Make”

“Hate When People Don’t Recognize Me For How Much I Make”

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#24

Bro Thinks He's The CEO Of Gaming

Bro Thinks He's The CEO Of Gaming

blazegamer12 Report

But those with 'Main Character Syndrome' wish to be main characters not just in their lives. "When people are talking about 'Main Character Syndrome,' they're typically talking about something more extreme," Danvers notes. "They think of someone who is acting like social situations should be all about them, and a world where they are important to everyone around them."

#25

Omg So Deep

Omg So Deep

ZookeepergameLate948 Report

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#26

In A Post About Airport Health Hacks While Traveling With A Baby

In A Post About Airport Health Hacks While Traveling With A Baby

lhomme21 Report

#27

The Dress The Hair & Make Up Girl Wore To My Friends Beach Wedding

The Dress The Hair & Make Up Girl Wore To My Friends Beach Wedding

bumblebeetuna3636 Report

"They think about someone who is more focused on crafting their own personal story than on paying attention to what's going on with their friends and communities," Dr. Danvers explains the difference. "This can lead to selfish or entitled behavior, and that is the type of thing that people can learn to—and be expected to—change."

#28

Posted Some Pics Of My Fiancé And Dogs, This Karen Who I Hadn’t Talked To In Over A Year Just Had To Make It About Her. And No I Did Not See Her Post

Posted Some Pics Of My Fiancé And Dogs, This Karen Who I Hadn’t Talked To In Over A Year Just Had To Make It About Her. And No I Did Not See Her Post

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#29

Entitlement

Entitlement

_AmAlive_ Report

#30

Imagine Being So Entitled That You Make Everyone Drive 20mph Because That's What You Want

Imagine Being So Entitled That You Make Everyone Drive 20mph Because That's What You Want

King_Spaghetti4 Report

On the other hand, Dr. Danvers also says that thinking of yourself as a main character can certainly be empowering. "If you see yourself as important, you might be more willing to take good care of yourself and treat your values as important. That can be a positive change, especially for people who might otherwise feel depressed."

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"The key is balancing a healthy confidence in yourself against the need to be aware of how much space you're taking up and making sure you leave room for others in your story."

#31

Signs Are Not For Me

Signs Are Not For Me

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#32

He Is Just Built Different

He Is Just Built Different

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#33

She's Two Main Characters

She's Two Main Characters

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#34

Do You Say Something If You’re Sitting There?

Do You Say Something If You’re Sitting There?

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#35

Yes You Went To The Store In A Dress And Everyone Stopped Their Shopping To Stare At You. Right

Yes You Went To The Store In A Dress And Everyone Stopped Their Shopping To Stare At You. Right

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#36

Jerk Tourists In Rosslyn Near Dc. Emergency Stopped Very Long Escalator With People On It During Rush Hour To Take Group Photo, Then Moved To Working Escalator. Needed Transit Worker To Explain Why That Was Wrong

Jerk Tourists In Rosslyn Near Dc. Emergency Stopped Very Long Escalator With People On It During Rush Hour To Take Group Photo, Then Moved To Working Escalator. Needed Transit Worker To Explain Why That Was Wrong

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#37

"You Know What To Do Reddit. 🤓"

"You Know What To Do Reddit. 🤓"

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DrBronxx
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is somewhat satisfying. With most of the others, we have to just be annoyed or laugh at the lack of self-awareness. At least we can see here what other people think of this person.

Pamela Christie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your other comment? You mean the one I had tattooed backwards on my forehead so I can read it whenever I look in a mirror? The one I embroidered onto my wedding night negligee and stashed in my hope chest? Are you talking about the comment that I scrimshawed onto a fragment of Siberian mammoth tusk and sent to the Smithsonian? THAT comment?

Viva Shaymin
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is very satisfying. I can imagine them being actually so shocked/mad about this

Duck
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah wonderful job reddit. respect. but why didnt you downvote this motherfvcker in the first place???

gilded panda
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Send me to downvote jones’ locker mateys! (I tried)

EarthGrowl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reddit can be great for global communication. But they would also set your hair on fire and laugh.

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Mc Wants To Host A Real-Life "The Bachelorette"

Mc Wants To Host A Real-Life "The Bachelorette"

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#39

This Is Perpetually-Online Behavior If I've Ever Seen One

This Is Perpetually-Online Behavior If I've Ever Seen One

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#40

Just The Worst

Just The Worst

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#41

Gym Rules Don’t Apply

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#42

It’s Almost As If Women Only Spaces Are Made For This Very Reason

It’s Almost As If Women Only Spaces Are Made For This Very Reason

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#43

This Girl At The Airport Waits Until The Queue Moves All The Way Forward To Move. People Confronted Her And She Said “It’s The Same If I Move Now Or Later”

This Girl At The Airport Waits Until The Queue Moves All The Way Forward To Move. People Confronted Her And She Said “It’s The Same If I Move Now Or Later”

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#44

Person At Airport Unplugs ATM To Charge Their Phone

Person At Airport Unplugs ATM To Charge Their Phone

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#45

My Experience At The Taylor Swift Movie

My Experience At The Taylor Swift Movie

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#46

It's Restricted For A Reason

It's Restricted For A Reason

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#47

Gonna Be Funny Watching Them Get Fired

Gonna Be Funny Watching Them Get Fired

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#48

Instagram User Trying To Beg For A Ferrari 😭

Instagram User Trying To Beg For A Ferrari 😭

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#49

She’s Literally The Main Character

She’s Literally The Main Character

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#50

Shirtless, Childless Man Grunts And Exercises At A Playground In The Middle Of A Group Of Girls Eating Right After School

Shirtless, Childless Man Grunts And Exercises At A Playground In The Middle Of A Group Of Girls Eating Right After School

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#51

Main Character Doesn’t Like When People Respond With A Story That Doesn’t Fit Their Narrative

Main Character Doesn’t Like When People Respond With A Story That Doesn’t Fit Their Narrative

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#52

Her Daughter Is Calling Out To Her Bc Practice Has Been Over For 20 Minutes

Her Daughter Is Calling Out To Her Bc Practice Has Been Over For 20 Minutes

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#53

Imagine Trying To Gatekeep Fashion. Op Got Dragged In The Comment Section

Imagine Trying To Gatekeep Fashion. Op Got Dragged In The Comment Section

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#54

Texted My Friend After Not Hearing From Her In A Few Days…

Texted My Friend After Not Hearing From Her In A Few Days…

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#55

Witch Girl

Witch Girl

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