Overidealization

Overidealization is the tendency to attribute excessively positive qualities to a person, object, or idea, often without sufficient evidence. It creates a highly favorable, and sometimes flawless, representation that minimizes flaws and contradictory information. In relationships, it can manifest as perceiving someone as uniquely virtuous or irreplaceable, while others are judged as inferior or threatening.

Psychologically, overidealization serves as a defense against disappointment, fear of rejection, or insecurity. It can arise from early attachment patterns that favor idealized images of caregivers and may persist into adult relationships. Cognitive biases such as selective attention and confirmation bias reinforce the idealized view. In some cases, it is linked to splitting, a defense pattern seen in certain personality disorders, where others are alternately seen as all good or all bad.

Clinical relevance: overidealization is not a disorder by itself but can contribute to unstable relationships, abrupt shifts in feelings, or vulnerability to manipulation. It is commonly discussed in relation to borderline and narcissistic tendencies, but may occur in healthy contexts as well, such as infatuation or rapid idealization in new relationships.

Management: approaches emphasize reality testing, balanced appraisal of strengths and limitations, and addressing underlying insecurities. Psychotherapeutic strategies include object-relations-focused or cognitive therapies, and techniques to cultivate a more integrated self and others representation.