Main Character Syndrome refers to the tendency for people to believe that they are the protagonist and that everyone else around them is just a supporting character. In a world where social media has become prevalent in day-to-day life, this mindset has become increasingly common.
Though Main Character Syndrome had existed on TikTok before, a TikTok by ashleward in 2021 caused the term to explode in popularity. In this TikTok, she filmed herself chatting with her friends and talked about how people should start “romanticizing their lives” and “thinking of yourself as the main character”. A large reason for the vitality was that she had posted this during quarantine, when people rarely met with their friends. Just months later, there were thousands of TikToks mentioning this phrase and this philosophy.
Social media has played a major role in hastening the spread of this self-centered and egocentric thinking. Whether it’s filming in the middle of a busy sidewalk or feeling entitled to free things, many influencers have demonstrated how social media can skew your perspective of yourself and others. They believe their follower count makes them more important than other people. Social media’s effect isn’t limited to influencers, as users are also affected. An example of this can be seen in a video about bean soup. What started as a simple recipe turned into a debate over whether social media created self-centered mindsets. Many comments talked about not liking beans and whether they could be substituted for something else. These commenters were criticized for being self-centered.Though main character syndrome isn’t a real diagnosis, it does appear to have symptoms. One might start dismissing others’ problems, overreacting to small issues, and trying to make their life aesthetic. They are full of the illusion that their lives are perfect, which can make them arrogant and conceited. This can cause them to become isolated, because they are no longer fun to be around. For example, someone constantly on social media might start making everything about themselves, causing others to distance themselves from them. Many influencers online have been criticized for doing this.
On the other hand, it also has benefits. It promotes self-confidence and can lead to increased motivation, since it helps people focus on themselves. It could help people set boundaries like personal space, since it encourages them to voice their thoughts and opinions. They could start prioritizing their own happiness instead of focusing on others. It could potentially be a form of self-care if it’s not taken to an extreme.
There are ways to overcome main character syndrome if it begins to negatively impact someone’s life. One could decrease the time they spend or completely stop using social media. One could also try looking at situations from other people’s perspectives. For example, volunteering could help them build empathy. Listening to other people without connecting everything to their own life helps them move away from main character syndrome.
As social media becomes increasingly influential, so does Main Character Syndrome. It’s important to be self-aware and prevent it from having negative effects like warping perspectives.
Sources:
“Main Character Syndrome (MCS): What It Is and How to Deal with It.” Therapist.Com, 22 Nov. 2024, therapist.com/behaviors/main-character-syndrome/.
“The Trouble with ‘Main Character Syndrome.’” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-world-real-world/202106/the-trouble-main-character-syndrome. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“What Is Main Character Syndrome?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/mental-health/main-character-syndrome. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
