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Defining Narcissistic Personality Disorder and the Four Types of Narcissism

Nowadays, it seems like the term “narcissist” is popping up everywhere. From social media posts to blogs and even in conversation with friends — you may be wondering why this term is everywhere. Is it possible that there are that many people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)? The reality is that having NPD is rare, with no more than 6.2 percent of the U.S. population meeting the criteria. While there are not as many narcissists out there as people are claiming, it is still critical to understand the traits of narcissists. In this blog post, we will focus on what exactly a narcissist is and describe the four types of narcissism .

NPD is defined as having an inflated sense of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a willingness to exploit and manipulate others in order to get what they desire. While a narcissist may appear overconfident, their egos are fragile. When wounded, they are quick to lash out. A narcissist must exhibit five out of eight of the total criteria to be diagnosed, as well as  a pattern of maladaptive relationships starting in young adulthood. Additionally, these behaviors must cause significant problems in their lives such as repeatedly damaging their personal relationships and possibly interfering with work. A core feature of NPD is that their patterns are consistent and longstanding over time and across contexts. 

Below are the four many types of narcissism. If you believe you are dealing with a narcissist, it is critical to understand which type you are dealing with. 

The Grandiose Narcissist

The grandiose narcissist is what was typically focused on in early depictions and research around narcissism. Boastful, charming, and attention seeking, the grandiose narcissist will likely also: 

  • Outwardly seek attention and domination
  • In certain situations, be physically abusive
  • Manipulate and play games in intimate relationships to maintain power. 
  • Think highly of themselves and show disdain for others. These types of narcissists typically report high satisfaction with their lives. 

The Vulnerable Narcissist

This type of narcissist is similar to the grandiose in that they are self-absorbed, entitled, manipulative, and unempathetic. However, this lesser known type of narcissist fears criticism so much that they typically do not seek attention. A vulnerable (also known as covert) narcissist may also: 

  • Feel insecure or unhappy with their life.
  • Have a weak sense of self and lack autonomy.
  • Experience more distress, shame, anxiety, and depression.
  • Lack positive relationships, often withdrawing from others fueled by blame and resentment. 
  • Feel conflicted–holding both inflated and negative views of themselves, the latter of which they will project onto others.

The Communal Narcissist

The communal narcissist is perhaps even more difficult to identify than the vulnerable narcissist. These individuals value warmth, relatedness, and agreeability. In addition to using kindness and friendliness to be seen by others as trustworthy and supportive, they may also: 

  • Be outgoing, similarly to the grandiose narcissist. However, this extraversion is primarily for the purpose of being perceived as giving and helpful.
  • Possess a vain selflessness that is equally as selfish as the behaviors exhibited by a grandiose narcissist.
  • Have a motive for power, entitlement, and esteem that is achieved through different behaviors than the grandiose narcissist. 

The Malignant Narcissist

Malignant narcissists are considered to be the most extreme types of narcissists because of their aggression and cruelty. These narcissists are most closely related to psychopaths, as they are not necessarily grandiose  or extroverted. They are immoral, sadistic, and find pleasure in creating chaos and sabotaging others. 

Why does this Matter? 

It is important to remember that while many people may exhibit narcissistic traits at times, that does not make them a narcissist. Wrongfully labeling others as Narcissists can be harmful, as it leaves little room for those in our lives to be flawed.  Additionally, doing so without understanding the subtleties of a person’s behavior could also lead to a relationship ending prematurely or being fraught with misunderstanding. These reasons and more make it crucial to understand what truly defines NPD. In doing so, you can also help yourself if you become entangled in a relationship with a narcissist. If you believe you are in a relationship with someone who has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder and would like to talk to a therapist, contact New Perspective Counseling.

Stay tuned throughout the month of March as we continue this series exploring Narcissistic Personality Disorder.