Vulnerable narcissism

Short description: Maladaptive personality trait

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Vulnerable narcissism, also known as covert narcissism, is a form of narcissism mainly characterized by neuroticism, feelings of shame and introversion. It is popularly contrasted with grandiose narcissism, as it is viewed as being one of the extremes on the scale of narcissism, both being classified as pathological. Although the DSM-5 diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder was based on the grandiose presentation, those with vulnerable narcissism can also be diagnosed with NPD since both share the same core characteristics, like sense of entitlement, self absorption, lack of emotional empathy, arrogance and attention seeking behavior. The Maladaptive Covert Narcissism Scale (MCNS) is often used to measure vulnerable narcissism where the criteria for assessing classic (overt) narcissism risk to lead to imprecise results.[1][2]

Vulnerable narcissism is also said to be associated with, yet distinct from, Borderline Personality Disorder.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Characteristics
* 2 Relation to grandiose narcissism
* 2.1 Similarities
* 2.2 Differences
* 3 Causes
* 4 See also
* 5 References

## Characteristics

Vulnerable narcissism is characterized as being strongly correlated with neuroticism, which includes feelings such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and abrupt mood changes. Vulnerable narcissists are usually introverted, and sometimes, shy. Due to this level of introversion and possible social anxiety, they may choose to turn down planned social gatherings.[4]

Typically, vulnerable narcissists have a hypersensitivity towards criticism, and view constructive criticism as a personal attack or insult rather than a critique. As a result, vulnerable narcissists are often vindictive and resentful towards their critics.[5]

Vulnerable narcissists may feel unprovoked shame on a daily basis and struggle with feelings of unworthiness and inferiority.[6] As a result, they often have feelings of envy towards others.[7]

Vulnerable narcissism has been widely linked to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which exhibits similar traits, such as emotional intensity, low self-esteem, mood swings, feelings of emptiness, depression and anxiety. However, although the two are associated, they are also distinct.[3]

## Relation to grandiose narcissism

### Similarities

Both types of narcissism exhibit traits such as attention-seeking behavior, need for admiration, self-centeredness, lack of empathy and arrogant behavior. They also both have an intolerance towards criticism, though vulnerable narcissists are more likely to be offended by it.[8][9][better source needed]

### Differences

Overall, while vulnerable narcissists are high in neuroticism and low in extraversion (introversion), grandiose narcissists are low in neuroticism, and high in extraversion. Vulnerable narcissism is more closely associated with Borderline Personality Disorder,[3] while grandiose narcissism is associated with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.[10] Both feature traits of Histrionic Personality Disorder, with the vulnerable type sharing the neurotic traits, and the grandiose type aligning with the extroverted characteristics.[11] The type of intolerance towards criticism the two have also differ. While the vulnerable type normally becomes offended by criticism, the grandiose narcissist will most likely dismiss the criticism, and view it as being inaccurate.[12]

## Causes

While grandiose narcissism is believed by some scientific sources to be caused by the parents of the subject praising or admiring them during childhood, and causing them to feel as if they are superior to their peers, vulnerable narcissism is believed to be formed for the opposite reasons. Verbal or physical abuse and neglect during childhood are seen as the main reasons for someone to develop vulnerable narcissism.[13][unreliable medical source?][14]

## See also

* Healthy narcissism
* Pathological narcissism
* Selfishness
* Dark triad

## References

1. ↑ Cheek, Jonathan; Hendin, Holly; Wink, Paul (22 June 2013). "An Expanded Version of the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (The Maladaptive Covert Narcissism Scale)". Association for Research in Personality. Charlotte, NC. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.3216.1761.
2. ↑ Maladaptive Covert Narcissism Scale – online test
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huczewska, Izabela; Rogoza, Radosław (January 2020). "Vulnerable narcissism and borderline personality in relation to personal values". Personality and Individual Differences 153: 109636. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2019.109636.
4. ↑ "How to spot a vulnerable narcissist". 29 June 2020. https://theawarenesscentre.com/vulnerable-narcissist/.
5. ↑ "Signs of covert narcissism". 12 June 2020. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covert-narcissist#signs.
6. ↑ "Is Your Narcissist The "Vulnerable" or Grandiose Type?". https://www.bpdcentral.com/blog/?Is-Your-Narcissist-the-Vulnerable-or-Grandiose-Type-22. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
7. ↑ "How to spot a vulnerable narcissist". 29 June 2020. https://theawarenesscentre.com/vulnerable-narcissist/.
8. ↑ "11 Signs You're Dating a Narcissist". 30 January 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/am-i-dating-a-narcissist.
9. ↑ "Signs of covert narcissism". 12 June 2020. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covert-narcissist#signs.
10. ↑ "Narcissistic Personality Disorder". https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662.
11. ↑ "Histrionic Personality Disorder". https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/histrionic-personality-disorder#1.
12. ↑ "Signs of covert narcissism". 12 June 2020. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covert-narcissist#signs.
13. ↑ "Signs of covert narcissism". 12 June 2020. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covert-narcissist#signs.
14. ↑ "Lines from the Border". Randi Kreger. https://www.bpdcentral.com/blog/?Is-Your-Narcissist-the-Vulnerable-or-Grandiose-Type-22. Retrieved October 20, 2020. <[|permanent dead link|dead link}}]

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Narcissism

Types|

* Collective
* Egomania
* Flying monkeys
* Healthy
* Malignant
* Narcissistic personality disorder
* Spiritual
* Workplace

Characteristics|

* Betrayal
* Boasting
* Egocentrism
* Egotism
* Empathy (lack of)
* Envy
* Entitlement (exaggerated sense of)
* Fantasy
* Grandiosity
* Hubris
* Magical thinking
* Manipulative
* Narcissistic abuse
* Narcissistic elation
* Narcissistic rage and narcissistic injury
* Narcissistic mortification
* Narcissistic supply
* Narcissistic withdrawal
* Perfectionism
* Self-esteem
* Self-righteousness
* Shamelessness
* Superficial charm
* Superiority complex
* True self and false self
* Vanity

Defences|

* Denial
* Idealization and devaluation
* Distortion
* Projection
* Splitting

Cultural phenomena|

* Control freak
* Don Juanism
* Dorian Gray syndrome
* My way or the highway
* Selfie

Related articles|

* Codependency
* Counterdependency
* Dark triad
* Ego ideal
* "Egomania" (film)
* Egotheism
* Empire-building
* God complex
* History of narcissism
* Messiah complex
* Micromanagement
* Narcissism of small differences
* Narcissistic leadership
* Narcissistic parent
* Narcissistic Personality Inventory
* Narcissus (mythology)
* On Narcissism (Freud essay)
* Sam Vaknin
* Self-love
* Self-serving bias
* Spoiled child
* The Culture of Narcissism (Lasch book)
* Workplace bullying

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