When a person believes they are a celebrity, it is referred to as Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS). CWS is a form of mental illness in which an individual is preoccupied with celebrities, typically to an irrational or excessive degree. Individuals with CWS may go to great lengths to imitate the behavior, appearance, and lifestyle of their chosen celebrity, sometimes to the point of causing themselves psychological distress.
The behaviors associated with CWS can vary from person to person, but typically include a fixation on celebrity gossip, a tendency to purchase items associated with the celebrity, or an attempt to imitate their chosen celebrity’s behavior or lifestyle. In some cases, individuals with CWS may go so far as to attempt to make contact with their chosen celebrity or become overly invested in their personal life.
CWS is believed to be a form of escapism: individuals may use the lives of celebrities as a way of avoiding their own reality. It can also be seen as an attempt to gain a sense of belonging, validation, and even power by associating themselves with a celebrity.
The condition is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and depression. Treatment for Celebrity Worship Syndrome typically includes psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication.