Main Character Syndrome: Social media’s latest trend among Gen Z

Main Character Syndrome, literally translated from English as "syndrome of the main character," is a term that began to appear on social media (primarily on TikTok) about two years ago. Initially, it appeared sporadically but quickly caught the attention of a wider audience. Today, we can say that it has gone viral and become a trend among Generation Z and young millennials. What does this syndrome, which emerged on social media, entail?

Main Character Syndrome originated on social media and cannot be treated as a real syndrome or classified as a psychological disorder. Main Character Syndrome refers to people who see themselves as the main character in their own lives. They view their experiences, actions, and relationships through the lens of being the protagonist of their personal narrative. This syndrome is closely linked to narcissism and egocentrism—the key here is the excessive focus on oneself, the desire for recognition, and the belief in one's uniqueness. Being the protagonist, like the main character of a literary work around whom the plot revolves, gives the individual a sense of importance, control, and significance in their own life story. It provides a sense of purpose and agency.

What does it look like in practice? The main characters make a big event, from a simple morning trip to the bakery for fresh doughnuts. They turn a daily chore into something special, unique, and significant. Of course, they play a pivotal role in this scene themselves. On TikTok, showcasing weekend outings for coffee and a croissant at a nearby café is trendy.

Several typical traits can be distinguished in the case of main character syndrome. One of them is that a person with this syndrome presents everyone with an idealized image of themselves and their reality. Their everyday life, in their opinion, deserves attention. It is extremely important that no one disrupts the perfect image of the Main Character—otherwise, they are ready to quickly cut off such an "enemy."

Main Character Syndrome attracts narcissistic and egocentric people who are convinced that everything should focus on them; others should see them the same way they see themselves, as the heroes of their everyday lives.

Authenticity does not matter here. The main character often portrays themselves as a completely different person, seen in an ideal version, leading a perfect life, because that is what they show on social media.

Many people, especially from the generation of parents of today's youth, find it difficult to answer the question: What drives young people to engage in such behaviour? However, the answer is not as complicated as it might seem. Young people today do not want to be ordinary "normies"—living in a grey everyday life. They are looking for a way to change their lives to be more attractive, interest others, and increase their attractiveness to their surroundings. It turns out that even a dull ride on public transport can be a true, romantic adventure.

Can this trend be classified as unequivocally good or bad? Although promoting an ideal reality online should not be met with approval, this trend can have its good sides. Which ones? It is about appreciating seemingly ordinary moments and learning to draw joy from such moments. Noticing small pleasures translates into happiness; if we can enjoy a simple coffee outing, then we need very little to be happy.

On the other hand, for many people, Main Character Syndrome can be a way of coping with emotional problems, which, in extreme cases, can take a worrying form. This refers to cases where narcissistic personality disorders emerge. After all, a person who sees themselves as the protagonist may have trouble accepting any form of criticism—even an innocent joke can be a serious insult to them. Pretending to be the main character is often the beginning of losing control over one's life.