He could be a sociopath, and if so, there is little hope for him. I would run for the hills if I was you.

whats your definition of megalomaniac?

This is Wilkipedia's definition of megalomaniac:

Megalomania is a psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, relevance, omnipotence, and by inflated self-esteem. Historically it was used as a name for narcissistic personality disorder prior to the latter's first use by Heinz Kohut in 1968, and is used today as a non-clinical equivalent.[1][2] It is not mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)[3] or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD).

I've been in FRIENDSHIPS with guys like that, yeah, and it IS frustrating and hard to deal with. Usually I just agree with them and stroke their egos, because it seems to be what they want.

Interesting! I had to look it up, I've never heard of that.

I don't think I've ever known anyone who had actual "Delusions"..

but I have encountered some serious bossy entitled people who don't care what others want. They want to call the shots.

I just thought they were unkind & had a "Critical spirit" as Dr. Phil says.

Does your husband function normally out in public?

I did not know what megalomaniac was either, Thanks Koolman.

I like Shasta Sues question......How is he in public?

Is he willing to get help?

Well, I feel like he's a special case. He is able to hold down a regular job and keep it together well at work. Everyone knows him as kind of a wild guy (he is opinionated and an alcoholic so he kind of has a reputation but to most that's "just him") but not many people really know how deeply his strange philosophies go. He acts pretty normal in public but over the past year he seems to care less and less. He was drunk the other day at the furniture store and the sales lady was amused but it was not more than that. But later he was much more out of control and much more drunk and it was really obvious.

He is an alcoholic too?
Yeesh!

How did you end up with this guy?

The fact that he can hold down a job, indicates to me that while he very well might be narcissistic, it could be a relationship dynamic between the two of you.

I read some of your other posts and I can relate to having conflicting personality styles in a relationship. While you can't change him, you can make positive changes for yourself. He might not improve, but you can learn different ways of coping to at least bring yourself more peace!

I'd like to recommend a book that I found really helpful.

It's titled " Coping With Infuriating, Mean, Critical People" by Nina W. Brown.

The Four Agreements is my favorite self help book, but I have to say the one by Nina Brown helped me realize that as much as we would like someone to change, it's not within our power to make it happen. It gave some good advice on new actions we can take, cause like the old saying about the definition of insanity .... doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.. it's so true!

Good luck!

Well, I feel like he's a special case. He is able to hold down a regular job and keep it together well at work. Everyone knows him as kind of a wild guy (he is opinionated and an alcoholic so he kind of has a reputation but to most that's "just him") but not many people really know how deeply his strange philosophies go. He acts pretty normal in public but over the past year he seems to care less and less. He was drunk the other day at the furniture store and the sales lady was amused but it was not more than that. But later he was much more out of control and much more drunk and it was really obvious.

Oops, not sure how that posted twice! Shasta sue, I have thought about the narcissistic thing as well! Thank you for recommending the book, it looks really interesting.
Yes, I have finally figured out that I cannot change him, only myself and have been slowly accomplishing that.
I think I have convinced him to see a doctor and at least begin to talk about his illness. His sister also has mental illness and she has south help and is on medication. I think she will be a great help and support. I hope it goes well :/

I am so glad that he is going to see a therapist for some help!
That is a big step!

He may be self medicating with the alcohol. Stopping drinking will probably also need to happen.

I wish you the best!

I think you need to be careful about labeling people.

He doesn't sound like the Megalomaniac's i know. The alcohol may be the real issue. But you also refer to strange beliefs - they may just be beliefs, doesn't make him a megalomaniac or a narcissist.

If the alcohol is a self medication thing, or a social lubricant - it may also be an autism spectrum thing.

Some People with ADHD act like that too. Hope he will get some help and things will get better

CopingJust, I didn't mean to offend anyone. It's true, I don't know for sure if he has this disorder. But he himself thinks he may. He is a bit of a self-professed tyrant. These ideals that I'm talking about include believing he is his own god, he is the supreme authority over his family, I as his wife and having no income am therefore void of opinion, etc. I am sure it is a combination culmination of everything.
Onetoomany, he actually is not seeing a therapist but only going for a doctor visit to discuss a possibility for medication. I am a little worried because I'm almost sure she will refer him to a counselor or therapist and he doesn't want that.
I definitely agree that alcohol is the main issue. He has "slowed down" in the past, taken a month off of drinking here and there but cannot seem to commit to quitting altogetherl he won't attend meetings or anything, like that. He once agreed with his father (when they were speaking) to start taking medication to help him atop but it was mainly to get a used car out of the deal and didn't last long.
He could definitely have ADD as well, Aronia.

It is an old-fashioned or outdated term (Megalomania). I believe in the original movie of Miracle on 34th Street, the psychiatrists were using that term about the man who had (in their view) the delusion he was Santa Claus. They even considered institutionalizing him! In the end he was recognized as eccentric, lovable, harmless old fellow who wanted to bring joy.

I think as a society we have become far too tyrannized by the psychiatric profession and their labels. It dehumanizes people. It robs people of their complexity. Psychiatry has no love, no soul.