This article was reviewed by Allison Broennimann, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area providing psychotherapy and neuropsychology services. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Broennimann specializes in in-depth psychotherapy to provide solution-focused treatments for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, adjustment problems, traumatic stress, and phase-of-life transitions. And as part of her neuropsychology practice, she integrates depth psychotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation for those recovering after traumatic brain injury. Dr. Broennimann holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She is licensed by the California Board of Psychology and is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Plenty of people fantasize about being saved by a knight in shining armor, but some of us fantasize about being that knight. There’s a term for that: White Knight Syndrome. It’s also sometimes called a “savior complex” or “rescue complex,” and it might sound familiar if you’ve ever found yourself going to great lengths to help other people. We’ll fill you in on what White Knight Syndrome is, exactly, and the different types and causes of it. We’ll also offer signs that you may be a white knight, yourself, and also how to take that shining armor off, for your own sake.
Things You Should Know
- White Knight Syndrome is a strong, chronic urge to help other people, whether or not they need it, and sometimes to your own detriment.
- White Knight Syndrome is often caused by unresolved childhood traumas or repressed emotions that make you feel like you need to be useful however you can.
- Signs of White Knight Syndrome include intense guilt when you can’t help other people, or the tendency to offer unsolicited advice or aid.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-11806-000
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20knight
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/200906/the-overly-empathic-white-knight
- ↑ https://www.marinij.com/2009/08/17/white-knight-syndrome-marin-psychologists-explore-destructive-urge-to-rescue-others-in-latest-book/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/200907/the-terrorizingterrified-white-knight
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/200908/the-balanced-rescuer
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-overcome-your-obsession-with-helping-others
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-overcome-your-obsession-with-helping-others
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/200908/temporary-white-knights
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304655676_The_Rescuer_Syndrome
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304655676_The_Rescuer_Syndrome
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/200905/rescuing-yourself-your-need-rescue-others
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304655676_The_Rescuer_Syndrome
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-overcome-your-obsession-with-helping-others
- ↑ https://www.marinij.com/2009/08/17/white-knight-syndrome-marin-psychologists-explore-destructive-urge-to-rescue-others-in-latest-book/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-white-knight-syndrome/201009/your-sense-agency-are-you-in-control-your-life
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304655676_The_Rescuer_Syndrome