For some people, alter ego is their savior in various situations. In fact, this condition can also pose a danger that is not kidding if allowed to master the main personality in humans.
What is meant by an alter ego? In the world of psychology, alter ego is the second personality that exists in a person and has very different characteristics compared to the main nature of that person.
This alter ego is sometimes created by the person experiencing it. This simple example of alter ego is similar when you create a virtual character in a simulation game, which you then use to interact in cyberspace with the style and nature of the character itself.
Get to know more about alter ego
Anyone can create an alter ego within himself. When the second personality emerges, you will imagine living life like your alter ego.
The alter ego formation process is something like this:
- Alter ego usually appears when you are depressed and feel unable to do what you want to do.
- You will then 'ask for help' another personality within you to realize your dream.
In many cases, the alter ego in a person has the same purpose in life as that person's original personality. However, to achieve these goals, the alter ego has a different approach from the original personality.
Many people do not realize that they have an alter ego, but not a few also recognize it. International singer Beyonce, for example, claimed to have had an alter ego named Sasha Fierce or rapper Eminem who had a second personality named Slim Shady.
Based on Beyonce's information, Sasha Fierce is portrayed as a funny, sensual, more aggressive, and glamorous persona so that this personality is often called when he is on stage. Beyonce even perpetuated this alter ego as the name of his album entitled "I am ... Sasha Fierce" in 2008.
However, the woman nicknamed Queen B claimed to have removed Sasha Fierce's alter ego since 2010. Beyonce claimed to take the decision after feeling Sasha no longer has a vision with her main personality who now wants to look more mature and explore the real power of women.
Is alter ego a psychological disorder?
Having an alter ego is a description of someone who has two personalities, but this condition may not be categorized as a psychological disorder. Alter ego is not the same as multiple personalities that are classified as dissociative identity disorder .
In dissociative identity disorder, people who have multiple personalities often feel that there are other personalities outside their body control that always follow. When that personality controls their bodies, sufferers of this disorder will feel amnesia or memory loss.
Conversely, the owner of the alter ego is aware of other personalities in his body. In addition, the main personality is still in control of the alter ego so that this personality can only appear when called by you and the impact does not lead to amnesia.
Benefits and dangers of alter ego
Having an alter ego is something that brings benefits to some people, one of which was Beyonce. Alter ego gives a feeling of 'complete' in someone so that he can do a job without having to think about boundaries.
Even so, the owner of the alter ego must really be in control of the persona. The reason is, having an uncontrolled alter ego can also produce negative effects, such as
- Alter ego will dominate the body and disrupt your overall activities.
- If you create an alter ego that is too perfect, your main personality can also experience a decrease in self-confidence.
- Worsening relationships with friends and family due to differences in character between you and the alter ego.
Conversely, if you are a friend of someone who has an alter ego, continue to monitor the condition of your friend. If you find a symptom that his alter ego is too dominant, take it from heart to heart to find reasons that make their personalities behave that way.
If you want to get rid of an alter ego or know how to manage it so it isn't too dominant, you can contact a psychologist or psychiatrist that you trust.
