Megalomania
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{{wiktionary|megalomania}}
'''Megalomania''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word μεγαλομανία) is a historical term for behavior characterized by [[delusion]]al fantasies of [[wealth]], [[power (sociology)|power]], [[genius]], or [[omnipotence]] - often generally termed as '''delusions of grandeur'''. The word is a collaboration of the word "mania" meaning madness and the Greek "megalo" meaning ''"very large"'', ''"great"'', or ''"exaggerated"'', thus combining to denote an obsession with, either in the form of irrational perceived need for or preoccupation with in one's own estimation having and/or obtaining, grandiosity and extravagance (especially in the form of great [[fame]] and [[popularity]], [[materialism|material]] [[wealth]], social influence or political power, or more than one or even all of the aforesaid) and accompanying complete desirous and bombastic abandon; a common symptom if not the key diagnostic feature of megalomania.
It may be a symptom of [[mania|manic]] or [[paranoia|paranoid]] disorders.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} However it is not considered a distinct [[mental disorder]] of itself according to the [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]].
Songs written about megalomania include Incubus' ''Megalomaniac'' and ''Megalomania'' by British rock band Muse. Black Sabbath also does a song entitled, "Megalomania" on their album Sabotage.
==See also==
* [[Arrogance]]
* [[Hubris]]
* [[Malignant narcissism]]
* [[Narcissism (psychology)]]
* [[Narcissistic personality disorder]]
* [[Superiority complex]]
* [[Victory disease]]
[[Category:Human behavior]]
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