8 Types of Narcissism

Clinically Reviewed by Ami G. Risinger, LPC-MHSP

Most narcissistic people share certain general characteristics, but the ways they exhibit these characteristics can vary depending on which type of narcissism they have.

Contact Time Wellness Centers today to learn more about mental health treatment in Tennessee.

Most narcissistic people share certain general characteristics, but the ways they exhibit these characteristics can vary depending on which type of narcissism they have.

Narcissism is a self-centered or egocentric personality trait. The word is derived from Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pond.

In casual conversation, narcissism may simply describe a person who is excessively self-interested. In a clinical environment, it can refer to a mental health condition called narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), NPD is categorized as a Cluster B personality disorder, along with borderline, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders.

The DSM-5 describes people with Cluster B disorders as often appearing to be “dramatic, emotional, or erratic.” 

Addressing narcissistic personality disorder specifically, the DSM-5 includes nine diagnostic criteria. To be accurately diagnosed with NPD, a person must meet five or more of these criteria:

1. Having a grandiose sense of self-importance, which may involve exaggerating their achievements or expecting to be recognized as superior based solely on who they are
2. Being preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited power, success, brilliance, or beauty
3. Believing that they are so special that they can only be understood by, or should only associate with, others who are of similarly exalted status
4. Needing excessive admiration
5. Exhibiting a sense of entitlement, such as expecting preferential treatment or immediate compliance with their orders
6. Exploiting others as a means of achieving their own goals
7. Lacking the ability to recognize or identify with the needs or emotions of others
8. Experiencing envy toward others and/or believing that others are envious of them
9. Acting in a particularly arrogant or haughty manner.

What Are the 8 Types of Narcissism?

Perhaps the most important thing to know about the eight types of narcissism is that the DSM-5 doesn’t list eight types of narcissism. 

If you search for types of narcissism online, you can find sources that break the condition down into anywhere from four to 14 subtypes. None of these are necessarily right or wrong, because there’s no “official” list that reflects a true clinical consensus.

These various types are simply different ways to try to explain this condition by highlighting the dominant symptoms or traits that often co-occur.

Having established that, let’s take a look at eight types of narcissism.

Overt

This type of narcissism is probably closest to what most people in the general public would describe if you asked them explain what a narcissist is.

Also sometimes referred to as grandiose narcissism, the overt type is characterized by obvious, unabashed displays of self-importance and entitlement. Overt narcissists clearly believe that they are superior to other people, and they’re rarely shy about sharing that opinion.

Overt narcissists often exhibit:

• Vanity and arrogance
• Flamboyant attempts to charm
• Persistent need for attention and praise
• Conspicuous desire for power and control

Covert

This type of narcissism, which is sometimes called vulnerable narcissism, involves open displays of contempt for others. 

People with this type often engage in projection, which means they accuse and criticize others for actions and character traits that clearly apply to them. For example, a covert narcissist in a position of power may treat their subordinates with hostility and belittlement, then claim they were actually the victims of these types of attacks. 

A covert narcissist may also be fueled by jealously, needing to demean and degrade others as a means of reassuring themselves that they are truly superior.

Communal

At first glance, a communal narcissist may appear to be a compassionate or empathetic person. But a closer look will reveal that they’re not motivated by a desire to improve the lives of others. Instead, they are driven by the need to be admired and praised for their “selflessness.”

Social media can be a powerful tool for communal narcissists. These types of platforms allow them to easily share evidence of their so-called good deeds with countless others, then feed their ego as the likes, positive comments, and other forms of virtual admiration come their way.

Malignant

A malignant narcissist will exhibit many characteristics of overt narcissism, but they will typically act in a more blatantly hostile or manipulative manner. Various sources use terms such as toxic, abusive, and Machiavellian to describe people who have this form of narcissism.

A September 2010 paper in the open access journal Psychiatria Danubina describes the dominant features of malignant narcissism as “antisocial behavior, ego-syntonic sadism, and a paranoid orientation.” The authors of that study also noted that this condition can have “devastating consequences for the family and society.”

Benign

People with this type of narcissism often appear to be shallow or immature, exhibiting a persistent but nonthreatening neediness for validation. 

Though benign narcissists are not known for being particularly empathetic, their lack of compassion rarely crosses into actively rooting for (or contributing to) the downfall of others. Instead, much like a child might, they may simply struggle to view the world through anything but a self-centered lens. 

Somatic

Somatic narcissists are hyper-focused on physical superiority. Depending on the individual, this may involve strength, attractiveness, and/or sexual behaviors.

Someone with this type of narcissism may spend an extreme amount of time in the gym, follow a highly restricted diet, or have an excessively elaborate beauty routine. They may also view sex as a competition, treating people as conquests rather than partners. 

As with other types of narcissists, they are likely to need repeated validation and respond poorly to perceived criticism.

Cerebral

In contrast to somatic narcissists, people with cerebral narcissism are convinced that their towering intellect is what makes them better than other people. 

Though a cerebral narcissist may feel the need to be seen as “the smartest person in the room,” they may also associate with other supposedly highly intelligent people so they can brag about their inclusion in highbrow circles. 

Antagonistic

Almost all types of narcissism have antagonistic elements to them, as one of the key features of this disorder is a desires to continually assert one’s superiority over others. What differentiates antagonistic narcissism from other types is that manipulating or using others is central to their personality and world view.

Some antagonistic narcissists may engage in acts of physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual aggression as a means of establishing dominance. Others may be slightly more subtle, such as by using passive-aggressive remarks and subterfuge to demean and degrade others.

Learn More About Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Tennessee

Time Wellness Tennessee offers personalized residential and outpatient care for adults who have narcissistic personality disorder, other mental health conditions, and co-occurring addictions to alcohol and other drugs.

The scope of programming at our centers in Chattanooga and Taft, TN, includes residential/inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient options.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.