Types of Narcissism Explained
The different types of narcissism, including overt and covert narcissism, how they present, and the difference between narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Physician and Addiction Medicine Specialist, Phuket Island Rehab.
Narcissism refers to a pattern involving an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, and it exists on a spectrum, from some narcissistic traits (which many people have to a degree) to narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a diagnosable mental health condition. Within narcissism, experts describe different types or presentations. The two most commonly discussed are overt (grandiose) narcissism, marked by obvious grandiosity, arrogance, a need for admiration, and a sense of superiority and entitlement, and covert (vulnerable) narcissism, which is less obvious, marked by insecurity, hypersensitivity, defensiveness, and a quieter but still self-focused nature, often hiding fragile self-esteem behind a shy or victimised exterior. Some frameworks also describe other types, such as malignant narcissism (a more severe, harmful form combining narcissism with antisocial, aggressive, and manipulative traits), and communal or other presentations. Underlying all types is the core narcissistic pattern of a fragile self-esteem that depends on external validation, and a lack of genuine empathy. Understanding the types of narcissism helps make sense of how it can present differently in different people. Narcissistic personality disorder is treatable, mainly with psychotherapy, though a person must be willing to engage. If narcissism is affecting you or a relationship, support is available.
What is narcissism, and is there more than one type?
Narcissism refers to a pattern of personality involving an inflated sense of self-importance, a strong need for admiration, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of genuine empathy for others. It is important to understand that narcissism exists on a spectrum: at one end, many people have some narcissistic traits to a degree (a certain amount of self-focus or need for validation is common and normal), while at the other end is narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a diagnosable mental health condition in which these traits are pervasive, extreme, and cause significant problems in a person’s life and relationships. Within this broad picture, experts and clinicians describe different types or presentations of narcissism, because narcissism does not look the same in everyone. Recognising that there are different types of narcissism helps make sense of how it can present quite differently from one person to another, sometimes in ways that do not fit the common stereotype of the loud, arrogant narcissist.
This article explains the different types of narcissism, including the two most commonly discussed, overt (grandiose) and covert (vulnerable) narcissism, and others such as malignant narcissism, how they present, and the difference between narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder. The central message is that narcissism exists on a spectrum and can present in different types or forms, that the most commonly described are overt and covert narcissism (with covert narcissism being less obvious and often hidden behind insecurity or a victimised exterior), that some frameworks describe other types such as malignant narcissism, and that underlying all types is the core narcissistic pattern of fragile self-esteem dependent on external validation and a lack of genuine empathy. It is important to approach narcissism with understanding rather than simply as a label or insult, recognising that it ranges from traits to a genuine disorder, and that narcissistic personality disorder is a real, though challenging, condition. It is also important to know that NPD is treatable, mainly with psychotherapy, though the person must be willing to engage, and that if narcissism is affecting you or a relationship, support is available.
Overt and covert narcissism
The two most commonly discussed types of narcissism are overt narcissism and covert narcissism, which represent quite different presentations. Overt narcissism, also called grandiose narcissism, is the type that fits the common stereotype of narcissism: it is marked by obvious grandiosity, arrogance, and a sense of superiority. A person with overt narcissism tends to be outwardly self-important, boastful, and attention-seeking, with a strong need for admiration, a sense of entitlement, a tendency to dominate, and an apparent confidence or even charm, alongside a lack of empathy and a tendency to exploit or disregard others. This type is relatively easy to recognise, because the grandiosity and self-focus are on open display. The person may seem thick-skinned and self-assured on the surface, though this often masks an underlying fragile self-esteem.
Covert narcissism, also called vulnerable narcissism, is quite different and less obvious, which can make it harder to recognise. Rather than displaying open grandiosity, a person with covert narcissism tends to appear insecure, hypersensitive, anxious, or even shy or self-deprecating on the surface, while still being fundamentally self-focused and harbouring narcissistic needs and attitudes underneath. Covert narcissism can involve a quiet sense of superiority or specialness combined with a fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism or perceived slights, defensiveness, a tendency to feel victimised or hard done by, passive-aggressiveness, envy, and a need for validation that is expressed less openly. A person with covert narcissism may come across as introverted, sensitive, or as a victim, which can hide the underlying self-centeredness and lack of empathy. Because it is less obvious, covert narcissism can be harder to identify and can be confusing for those around the person. Despite their different presentations, overt and covert narcissism share the core narcissistic features of a fragile, admiration-dependent self-esteem and a lack of genuine empathy; they are, in a sense, two different outward expressions of the same underlying pattern. Some people may also show a mix of both, or shift between them. Understanding overt and covert narcissism helps explain why narcissism does not always look the way people expect.
| Type | How it presents |
|---|---|
| Overt (grandiose) | Openly arrogant, boastful, superior, attention-seeking |
| Covert (vulnerable) | Insecure, hypersensitive, defensive, self-focused underneath |
| Malignant | Severe: narcissism plus antisocial, aggressive, manipulative traits |
| Shared core | Fragile self-esteem, need for admiration, lack of empathy |
| Spectrum | From narcissistic traits to narcissistic personality disorder |
| Treatable? | NPD is treatable (mainly psychotherapy) if the person engages |
Other types, the underlying pattern, and getting help
Beyond overt and covert narcissism, some frameworks describe other types or presentations. One important one is malignant narcissism, considered a more severe and harmful form. Malignant narcissism combines the core narcissistic traits with additional antisocial, aggressive, paranoid, and manipulative features, so that the person is not only grandiose and lacking in empathy but also more exploitative, callous, vindictive, and willing to harm others, sometimes taking pleasure in it. Malignant narcissism is considered among the most severe and damaging forms and overlaps with antisocial traits. Other presentations that are sometimes described include communal narcissism (where a person seeks admiration and a sense of superiority through appearing exceptionally caring, generous, or morally superior, using apparent altruism to serve their narcissistic needs), and there are various other ways researchers categorise narcissism. It is worth noting that these types are descriptive frameworks rather than always-distinct official categories, and that individuals can show mixtures or move between presentations.
Underlying all the types of narcissism is the same core pattern: a self-esteem that, despite outward appearances, is often fragile and dependent on external validation and admiration, combined with a lack of genuine empathy for others, and a self-focus that shapes how the person relates to the world. Whether expressed overtly or covertly, and whether milder or severe, this underlying pattern is what defines narcissism. It is also important to distinguish narcissistic traits (which many people have to some degree and which are not a disorder) from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a diagnosable condition in which the narcissistic pattern is pervasive, extreme, and causes significant impairment and distress, in the person’s life or, often, in the lives of those around them. NPD is a recognised mental health condition. The encouraging point is that narcissistic personality disorder is treatable, mainly through psychotherapy, which can help a person understand their patterns, develop greater empathy and healthier ways of relating, and address the underlying insecurity; however, treatment requires the person’s own recognition of a problem and willingness to change, which can be a challenge, as people with narcissism may not see themselves as needing help. Support is also available for people affected by another person’s narcissism, such as in relationships, who may experience real harm. The key messages are that narcissism exists on a spectrum and comes in different types (notably overt and covert, plus others like malignant narcissism), that all share a core of fragile, validation-dependent self-esteem and a lack of empathy, that narcissistic traits differ from narcissistic personality disorder, and that NPD is treatable if the person is willing to engage. If narcissism is affecting you or a relationship, support is available, and reaching out is worthwhile.
Summary
Narcissism refers to a pattern involving an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, and it exists on a spectrum, from some narcissistic traits (which many people have to a degree) to narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a diagnosable mental health condition. Within narcissism, experts describe different types or presentations. The two most commonly discussed are overt (grandiose) narcissism, marked by obvious grandiosity, arrogance, a need for admiration, and a sense of superiority and entitlement, and covert (vulnerable) narcissism, which is less obvious, marked by insecurity, hypersensitivity, defensiveness, and a quieter but still self-focused nature, often hiding fragile self-esteem behind a shy or victimised exterior. Some frameworks also describe other types, such as malignant narcissism (a more severe, harmful form combining narcissism with antisocial, aggressive, and manipulative traits), and communal or other presentations. Underlying all types is the core narcissistic pattern of a fragile self-esteem that depends on external validation, and a lack of genuine empathy. Understanding the types of narcissism helps make sense of how it can present differently in different people. Narcissistic personality disorder is treatable, mainly with psychotherapy, though a person must be willing to engage. If narcissism is affecting you or a relationship, support is available.
As Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, addiction medicine specialist at Phuket Island Rehab, puts it, “The most useful thing I can tell people about narcissism is that it does not always look like the loud, arrogant caricature. That is the overt, grandiose type, and it is easy to spot. But there is also covert narcissism, which wears the mask of the shy, sensitive, put-upon victim, and it can be far more confusing to those around it, because the self-centeredness is hidden under apparent fragility. Underneath both, though, is the same thing: a self-esteem that is actually quite brittle and hungry for admiration, and a real difficulty with genuine empathy. And there are more severe forms, like malignant narcissism, that shade into cruelty. It is a real disorder at its extreme, and it is treatable, but only if the person can admit they need to change, which is the hard part. If someone’s narcissism is hurting you, please look after yourself and get support.”
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of narcissism?
The two most commonly discussed types of narcissism are overt (grandiose) narcissism and covert (vulnerable) narcissism. Overt narcissism fits the common stereotype: it is marked by obvious grandiosity, arrogance, a sense of superiority and entitlement, a strong need for admiration, attention-seeking, and a lack of empathy, with the self-importance openly on display. Covert narcissism is less obvious: a person appears insecure, hypersensitive, anxious, or even shy or self-deprecating on the surface, while still being fundamentally self-focused, with a quiet sense of specialness, fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism, defensiveness, a tendency to feel victimised, and a need for validation expressed less openly. Beyond these, some frameworks describe other types, notably malignant narcissism (a severe, harmful form combining narcissism with antisocial, aggressive, and manipulative traits), and presentations such as communal narcissism (seeking admiration through appearing exceptionally caring or morally superior). Underlying all types is the same core pattern: a fragile self-esteem dependent on external validation and a lack of genuine empathy. Individuals can also show mixtures of types. So the main types of narcissism are overt and covert, with malignant and other presentations also described, all sharing the underlying narcissistic pattern. Understanding these types helps explain how narcissism can present differently in different people.
What is the difference between overt and covert narcissism?
The difference between overt and covert narcissism is mainly in how the narcissism is expressed. Overt (grandiose) narcissism is open and obvious: the person displays grandiosity, arrogance, and a sense of superiority, is outwardly self-important, boastful, and attention-seeking, with a strong need for admiration and a sense of entitlement, and often appears confident or charming, while lacking empathy. This is the recognisable, stereotypical narcissism. Covert (vulnerable) narcissism is hidden and less obvious: rather than open grandiosity, the person tends to appear insecure, hypersensitive, anxious, or even shy or self-deprecating on the surface, while still being fundamentally self-focused underneath. Covert narcissism involves a quieter sense of superiority combined with fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism and perceived slights, defensiveness, a tendency to feel victimised, passive-aggressiveness, envy, and a need for validation expressed less openly. So the key difference is that overt narcissism is openly grandiose and easy to spot, while covert narcissism is masked behind insecurity, sensitivity, or a victimised exterior, making it harder to recognise. Despite these different presentations, both share the core narcissistic features of a fragile, admiration-dependent self-esteem and a lack of genuine empathy, they are two different outward expressions of the same underlying pattern. Some people show a mix of both. Recognising covert narcissism is particularly important because it can be confusing and is easily missed, given that it does not fit the usual stereotype.
What is malignant narcissism?
Malignant narcissism is considered a more severe and harmful form of narcissism. It combines the core narcissistic traits (grandiosity, a need for admiration, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of empathy) with additional antisocial, aggressive, paranoid, and manipulative features. So a person with malignant narcissism is not only grandiose and lacking in empathy but also more exploitative, callous, vindictive, cruel, and willing to harm others, sometimes taking pleasure in doing so, and may show a disregard for others’ rights and for rules or morality (overlapping with antisocial traits), along with suspiciousness or paranoia. Malignant narcissism is regarded as among the most severe and damaging forms of narcissism, because it combines the self-centeredness and lack of empathy of narcissism with aggression, manipulation, and antisocial behaviour, which can make such individuals particularly harmful to those around them. It is important to note that malignant narcissism is a descriptive concept rather than always a formal diagnostic category, but it captures a recognisable, severe presentation. People affected by someone with malignant narcissism, such as in relationships or families, may experience significant harm, including emotional and sometimes other abuse, and it is important for those affected to prioritise their safety and wellbeing and to seek support. Because of the antisocial and harmful features, malignant narcissism can be especially difficult to change. If you are affected by someone with such traits, particularly if there is any abuse, support and help are available, and your safety comes first.
Is narcissism the same as narcissistic personality disorder?
No, narcissism is not the same as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), though they are related; the difference is essentially one of degree and impact. Narcissism refers to a pattern of traits (inflated self-importance, need for admiration, entitlement, lack of empathy), and it exists on a spectrum. Many people have some narcissistic traits to a degree, a certain amount of self-focus or need for validation is common and normal, and having some narcissistic traits does not mean a person has a disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder, by contrast, is a diagnosable mental health condition in which the narcissistic pattern is pervasive, extreme, inflexible, and enduring, and causes significant impairment and distress, in the person’s own life and, often, in the lives of those around them. So NPD is at the severe end of the narcissism spectrum, where the traits become a genuine disorder. The distinction matters because casually calling someone a narcissist (often used as an insult) is different from the clinical condition of NPD, which is a recognised disorder diagnosed by a mental health professional. Not everyone with narcissistic traits has NPD, and only a qualified professional can diagnose the disorder. It is also worth remembering that NPD, though challenging, is a real mental health condition, and that people with it often have underlying fragile self-esteem and pain beneath their behaviour. NPD is treatable, mainly with psychotherapy, if the person is willing to engage. So narcissism (traits) and narcissistic personality disorder (a diagnosable disorder) are related but not the same.
Can narcissism be treated?
Narcissism, particularly narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), can be treated, but treatment can be challenging and depends heavily on the person’s own recognition of a problem and willingness to change. The main treatment is psychotherapy (talking therapy), which can help a person understand their patterns of thinking and behaviour, recognise the fragile self-esteem and insecurity often underlying their narcissism, develop greater empathy and healthier ways of relating to others, manage their emotions (including reactions to criticism), and build more genuine self-worth. This work can be slow and difficult, but meaningful change is possible for those who commit to it. A key challenge is that people with narcissistic traits or NPD may not see themselves as having a problem, since acknowledging difficulties can feel threatening to their self-image, and they may blame others rather than reflecting on their own behaviour, so motivation to seek and stay in treatment can be an issue. Often, a person may come to treatment because of associated difficulties, such as relationship problems, depression, anxiety, or the consequences of their behaviour, rather than because they see the narcissism itself as the issue, and a skilled therapist can work with this. Medication is not a specific treatment for narcissism but may help with co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety. It is important for people affected by someone’s narcissism not to pin their own wellbeing on the hope that the other person will change. So narcissism, especially NPD, is treatable through psychotherapy, but change must come from the person’s own willingness. If you recognise these patterns in yourself and want help, or are affected by someone else’s narcissism, support is available.
How do you deal with a narcissist?
Dealing with a narcissist, particularly in a relationship or close situation, can be difficult, and the most important priority is looking after your own wellbeing and safety. Some helpful approaches include: setting and maintaining clear boundaries about what behaviour you will and will not accept, and holding to them; not relying on the narcissist for validation or expecting them to meet emotional needs they may be unable to meet; avoiding getting drawn into arguments aimed at winning or changing their view, which often escalate; recognising manipulation tactics and not taking on undue blame or responsibility for their behaviour or feelings; and looking after your own emotional health, seeking support from trusted friends, family, or a therapist, and, where relevant, learning about narcissism to understand the dynamics. It is important to remember that you cannot change another person, and that your wellbeing should not depend on the narcissist changing. If the relationship is harmful, you have the right to protect yourself, set limits, or, if necessary, distance yourself or leave; you are not obliged to stay in a harmful situation. Crucially, if any behaviour is abusive, controlling, or threatening, your safety comes first: seek help and support, and contact appropriate services (such as domestic abuse support) if needed. Support is available for people affected by another person’s narcissism, including counseling to help you cope and protect yourself. So dealing with a narcissist involves setting boundaries, protecting your wellbeing, not depending on them to change, recognising manipulation, and seeking support, with safety as the priority. You do not have to face it alone, and help is available.
Sources
National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Narcissistic Personality Disorder. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000934.htm
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Personality Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/personality-disorders
American Psychiatric Association (APA). What Are Personality Disorders? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders
National Health Service (NHS). Personality Disorders. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/personality-disorder/
National Domestic Violence Hotline. Understanding Abusive Relationships. https://www.thehotline.org/
World Health Organization (WHO). Mental Disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
Types of narcissism — key entities and related terms
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