5 Types of Narcissism and How to Spot Each

When you look at narcissism as a trait in terms of how it affects your day-to-day life and ability to form relationships, there are two types of narcissism:

1. Adaptive narcissism refers to aspects of narcissism that can actually be helpful, like high self-confidence, self-reliance, and the ability to celebrate yourself.

2. Maladaptive narcissism is connected to traits that don’t serve you and can negatively impact how you relate to yourself and others. For example, entitlement, aggression, and the tendency to take advantage of others. This would be associated with symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.

Some research suggests it could be more accurate to view narcissism as on a spectrum from less to more severe narcissistic traits.

You might then imagine that the different types of narcissism fit somewhere along that spectrum.

In general, narcissism is closely tied to:

• extreme self-focus

• an inflated sense of self

• a strong desire for recognition and praise

The two main categories of narcissism are:

1. Overt narcissism

• outgoing

• arrogant

• entitled

• overbearing

• having an exaggerated self-image

• needing to be praised and admired

• exploitative

• competitive

• lacking empathy

Some research connects overt narcissism with the Big Five personality traits of extraversion and openness. People with overt narcissism may also tend to overestimate their own abilities and intelligence.

2. Covert narcissism

• expressions of low self-esteem

• higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety, depression, and shame

• introversion

• insecurity or low confidence

• defensiveness

• avoidance

• tendency to feel or play the victim

Also known as vulnerable narcissism and closet narcissism, covert narcissism is the contrast to overt narcissism. While someone with covert narcissism will still be very self-focused, this is likely to conflict with a deep fear or sense of not being enough.

Narcissism can be very complicated and hard to spot. There is also a lot of differential diagnosis around this personality trait. Stay tuned for part 2 to find out what the main subcategories of narcissism are!

Source: https://psychcentral.com/health/types-of-narcissism

What are your thoughts on narcissism? Would you be hesitant to have a person with these traits in your life?

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