If your teen treats everyday moments like scenes from a movie or curates their life for social media, then they may have “Main Character Syndrome.” Although the term has been trending online for awhile, experts stress that it isn’t an official diagnosis, but there are signs and behaviors to spot it.
“Main character syndrome (MCS) is a term often used to describe a mindset where individuals view themselves as the protagonist in the ‘story’ of life,” states Shari B. Kaplan, LCSW in a previous interview with Parents.com. “In teens, this can manifest as a heightened focus on self-presentation, often fueled by the narrative-driven culture of social media.”
Caitlin Slavens, MC, adds that it’s “someone [who] acts like the star of life’s movie and everyone else is just part of the supporting cast.” For teens, that can look like “narrating their lives like they’re in a TikTok montage.”
Experts say this behavior isn’t always harmful. “It’s developmentally normal for teens to think about how others perceive them,” Slavens says. “But it can disconnect them from reality or other people’s feelings when it becomes excessive.”
Brett Biller, PsyD, explains that the term itself comes from social media, not medicine. “Despite having an identified set of features, Main Character Syndrome is neither an empirically supported syndrome, nor an existing diagnosis.”
Social media, as you may expect, can intensify the issue. “Teens can carefully curate posts, filter photos, and craft the perfect narrative. The pressure to present an idealized life can blur the line between reality and performance,” Slavens tells the outlet. “Every like or comment reinforces the idea that their online persona is their true self, making it harder just to be.”
Is any of this sounding somewhat familiar? Below are several behaviors that both Kaplan and Slavens say to be on the lookout for if you want to know if your child has MCS:
- Displaying exaggerated storytelling about personal experiences
- Focusing intensely on appearance and self-presentation
- Centering conversations and events around themselves
- Being reluctant or unable to engage in others’ experiences or emotions
- Presenting a curated online presence that prioritizes perfection or drama
- Posting or narrating their life online as if it’s a reality show
- Making decisions around “storylines”
- Finding it difficult to recognize that others have their own experiences or perspectives
- Overdramatizing or distorting minor events to fit their “main character arc”
While Main Character Syndrome can, more times than not, be seen as harmless, Slavens tells the outlet that there are other times where MCS can signal issues with self-esteem or connection. If you notice MCS signs or behaviors in your teen, Slavens suggests that parents talk to their pediatrician or a mental health professional for further guidance.
