Covert narcissism, often referred to as introverted narcissism or vulnerable narcissism, is a subtype of narcissistic personality disorder characterized by less obvious, internalized grandiosity. Unlike overt narcissism, which is marked by blatant self-importance and a need for admiration, covert narcissists harbor feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to evaluation.
Individuals who exhibit covert narcissism typically display traits such as:
- A tendency to feel misunderstood or underappreciated
- Sensitivity to criticism or defeat
- A propensity to harbor grudges
These covert narcissists may seem modest or inhibited, but internally they possess the same sense of entitlement and lack of empathy as their overt counterparts. Covert narcissists may not seek the limelight like overt narcissists, and their disorder often goes unnoticed due to their subtler expressions of egotism and need for affirmation.
Criteria
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), provides specific criteria for the diagnosis of NPD. This includes a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
Although the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for NPD are considered homogeneous, there are other subtypes used to classify NPD. There is no agreement on how many subtypes exist, although most experts agree there are at least two: grandiose or overt narcissism and vulnerable or covert narcissism. The DSM-5 does not recognize any of the NPD subtypes.
To meet the DSM-5 diagnostic threshold, individuals must exhibit at least five of the enumerated criteria, which articulate facets of narcissism such as a grandiose sense of self-importance, preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, belief of being special and unique, a demand for excessive admiration, a sense of entitlement, interpersonally exploitative behavior, lack of empathy, envy of others or a belief that others are envious of them, and arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
Spectrum of Narcissistic Traits
Narcissism manifests along a spectrum, with a breadth of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Understanding this spectrum is crucial in differentiating between common personality traits and clinically diagnosable NPD. On one end, individuals might exhibit narcissistic qualities such as self-confidence and ambition, which can be productive.
Progressing further along the spectrum, these traits intensify and become disruptive, eventually culminating in the narcissistic behaviors characteristic of NPD. Subtypes of narcissism, such as overt and covert narcissism, further delineate how narcissistic traits may present.
People with covert narcissism are typically more blatant in their expressions of grandiosity, while covert narcissists may display these traits in more subtle, insidious ways. Each subtype of narcissism involves its own patterns of behavior that complicate the singular concept of NPD.
Psychological and Personality Traits
Vulnerable narcissists exhibit a complex array of psychological and emotional traits, often marked by a lack of empathy, fluctuating self-esteem, and distinct patterns of anger and resentment. These characteristics manifest differently from the overt narcissist’s bold and brash demeanor.
Empathy and Sensitivity
Covert narcissists display a unique profile when it comes to empathy and sensitivity. Their empathy is often selective and self-serving. On one hand, they may seem highly sensitive to criticism and the opinions of others, which stems from their need for validation and fear of vulnerability.
On the other hand, their sensitivity rarely extends to others’ needs or feelings, displaying a lack of genuine empathy. Studies suggest that covert narcissists can experience distress due to their own negative self-evaluations, which further affects their ability to empathize with others.
Self-Esteem and Defense Mechanisms
The self-esteem of a covert narcissist is typically fragile and unstable. Unlike overt narcissists who appear confident, covert narcissists often harbor deep insecurities and self-doubt, and may have low self-esteem,
Their defense mechanisms are characterized by denial and rationalization to protect their fragile self-image. For instance, they often react to personal failures or shortcomings by projecting their negative feelings onto others or by retreating into fantasy worlds where they can maintain an illusion of superiority.
Anger and Resentment Patterns
Anger and resentment are common in covert narcissists. These emotions are a response to perceived threats to their self-esteem or sense of entitlement.
Covert narcissists might not display explosive anger; instead, they may internalize it or express it passively. This pent-up anger can result in passive-aggressive behavior, sabotage, or manipulation of others to get even. The person’s resentment often lies buried until a perceived slight triggers a disproportional response.
Relationships and Manipulation
Interpersonal relationships are often complex, fraught with various strategies of manipulation. Individuals exhibiting covert narcissistic traits may deploy subtle yet damaging tactics to maintain control and bolster their self-esteem.
Boundaries are crucial in healthy relationships, but a covert narcissist might disrespect them through passive-aggressive behavior. This can include sarcasm, silent treatment, or backhanded compliments. Such actions are a manipulation tactic designed to undermine the other person without overt confrontation.
A key manipulation technique used by covert narcissists is gaslighting, where they sow seeds of doubt in a person’s mind about their perceptions of reality. It’s a form of emotional abuse that can make the victim question their sanity and memories. Signs of gaslighting include dismissing the victim’s feelings as overly sensitive, or insisting events happened differently from the victim’s recollection.
Covert narcissists typically have a fragile self-esteem, making them intensely sensitive to criticism. They may respond with disproportional defensiveness or withdrawal. Conversely, they crave admiration and may react to praise with extreme pleasure or use it to validate their self-worth.
Responses to criticism may include negating the feedback, shifting blame, or playing the victim to garner sympathy. Seeking admiration takes form in fishing for compliments or steering conversations to highlight their achievements.
Impact of Childhood and Genetics
Research points to a high heritability of NPD, with different rates of heritability depending on the subtype due to a variety of genetic influences. In a 2014 study, Yu Luo and colleagues discovered that while interpersonal entitlement and intrapersonal grandiosity have small to no shared environmental influence, they are both moderately heritable (having heritabilities of 23% and 35%, respectively).
The heritability of narcissistic traits there fore indicates a genetic predisposition that can influence the development of covert narcissism.
Environmental and social factors influencing the development of NPD have also been postulated. According to one idea, pathological narcissism may stem from a lack of emotional attachment to primary caregivers. Some studies suggest that childhood trauma can contribute to an individual’s likelihood of exhibiting traits of covert narcissism, including defensiveness and hypersensitivity to criticism.
Recognizing Covert Narcissistic Behavior
Covert narcissists can be challenging to identify due to their less obvious presentation of narcissistic traits. Recognizing these behaviors is crucial to understanding how they influence personal and social interactions.
Signs in Personal Relationships
Covert narcissists in personal relationships may present a false sense of victimhood and often express resentment toward their partner’s success. They can be manipulative, subtly influencing others to doubt themselves while portraying innocence. Here are specific behaviors to observe:
- Claiming to be a victim: They tend to interpret scenarios as if they are the injured party, even if evidence suggests otherwise.
- Giving the silent treatment: Utilizing silence as a means of control or punishment, rather than open communication.
- Feeling superior: While they might not express outright arrogance, their actions suggest they believe they are unique or misunderstood in their suffering.
Workplace and Social Dynamics
In the workplace and during social events, introverted narcissists can appear as shy but may harbor feelings of superiority over their peers. Their interactions often involve subtle control tactics. Signs to recognize include:
- Quiet manipulation: They influence situations to their advantage without overt aggression or demands.
- Resentment toward others’ accomplishments: Exhibiting discomfort or passive-aggression when others receive praise or attention.
- Selective social engagement: Participating in social scenarios where they can garner sympathy or praise while withdrawing from situations where they receive little attention.
References:
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5 (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. ISBN 978-089-042-554-1
- Levy KN (August 2012). Subtypes, dimensions, levels, and mental states in narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 68 (8): 886–897. doi: 10.1002/jclp.21893
- Lowen A (1997). Narcissism : denial of the true self. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-5543-1
- Luo YL, Cai H, Song H (2014) A Behavioral Genetic Study of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Dimensions of Narcissism. PLoS ONE 9(4): e93403.
- Luo YL, Cai H (2018). The Etiology of Narcissism: A Review of Behavioral Genetic Studies. in Handbook of Trait Narcissism. New York City: Springer International Publishing ISBN 978-3-319-92170-9
- Magid K (1987). High Risk Children without a Conscience. New York City: Bantam Books ISBN 978-0553052909
- Malkin C (2015). Rethinking narcissism: the bad-and surprising good-about feeling special. New York, NY: Harper Wave. ISBN 978-0-06-234810-4
- Russ E, Shedler J, Bradley R, Westen D (November 2008). Refining the construct of narcissistic personality disorder: diagnostic criteria and subtypes. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 165 (11): 1473–1481. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07030376