Ego is a relevant issue in everyday life and mental health. The question arises: Is it normal for it to be? selfishness? The answer is yes, but only to a certain extent.
Just as blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol have normal and necessary levels for the body, the ego also performs a vital function when kept within adequate limits. The ego constitutes the self, the personal identity. It allows us to express ourselves, build character, and connect with others. It is the starting point for thoughts, emotions and feelings that, to the right extent, facilitate empathy and healthy social interaction.
When the ego exceeds the usual level, the… Toxic ego. In this case, a mask appears that hides the true personality. Toxic ego can be isolating, and is typically associated with the need to always be right, constantly seeking external validation, rejecting criticism, and perceiving it as personal attacks. This distortion It prevents us from recognizing reality and leads a person to believe that he is superior to others, projecting an image that does not correspond to his reality.
This phenomenon can be understood using the mask metaphor: those who put excessive effort into their outward appearance usually feel empty inside. Excessive ego and selfishness breed arrogance. However, the ego does not remain constant and can fluctuate throughout the day, just as other variables in the body do.
To control the ego, I propose a simple and symbolic recipe: a telescope, a clock, and bacteria. The telescope invites us to observe the universe and remember how small it is in relation to its size. A clock, like a pendulum clock, helps us recognize the inevitable passage of time, regardless of the personal significance we ascribe to our existence. Bacteria symbolize a small thing that, although almost invisible and difficult to get rid of, can cause serious consequences if it passes through the skin.
The sum of these three images can help put the ego into perspective and normalize it, making it easier for it to shift from being toxic to being a healthy resource. The challenge is to recognize when habitual ego has become harmful. The secret is to strive for balance, acknowledge our limitations and understand that ego can harm ourselves and others.
I invite you to think about this concept and apply these ideas in everyday life.
*Dr. Daniel Lopez Rossetti is a physician (MN 62540) at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) School of Medicine. Head of the Stress Section at the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). He is the author of books such as: “Emotion and Feelings” (ed. Planeta, 2017), “Balance. How We Think, How We Feel, How We Decide. A User’s Guide.” (Ed. Planeta, 2019), among others.