Atlas complex

English

Etymology

Named after Atlas, the Titan in Greek mythology who holds up the heavens.

Noun

Atlas complex (plural Atlas complexes)

1. (psychology) The belief that one needs to single-handedly take responsibility for problems beyond of one's ability to solve.
   • 2003 November 13, “Pink's Juicy Fruit”, in The Sydney Morning Herald‎, archived from the original on 16 April 2025:

     "I definitely have the Atlas complex," she [Pink] says. "I'm conscious of other people's pain, as well as my own, and I take responsibility for it."

   • 2021 December 27, @ClamamareasTide, X‎, archived from the original on 16 April 2025:

     As a person that had Atlas complex on my life before, this is extremly important. ¶ You are Just a person, you cannot change every problem that is going on the World, but if you can take care of yourself, thats good enough^[sic]