Karen Horney’s psychoanalytic theory explains why the "Tyranny of the Shoulds" creates self-hate and burnout. Discover the 10 Neurotic Needs driving your anxiety.

In this episode of our podcast, we explore the profound and often unsettling insights of Karen Horney regarding the "Idealized Self." We dig into the concept of the "Search for Glory," examining how our attempts to solve inner conflicts by creating a godlike self-image actually lead to a "police state" in our minds known as the "Tyranny of the Shoulds." We discuss how this drive for perfectionism isn't just a habit, but a structural change in personality that alienates us from our "Real Self." We also look at the mechanism of neurotic pride and how the very pursuit of being unassailable guarantees feelings of worthlessness and self-contempt.