There Are 7 Types Of Narcissists That You Need To Know About (And How To Spot Them)

Narcissists are not easy to spot, especially when they are masters at hiding themselves in plain sight. Many people even confuse narcissism with self-love too, however, narcissism is more than just talking about oneself, excessively.

Narcissism is a serious personality disorder that can be described by your constant and excessive sense of self-importance. But, like all disorders, there is no one-fit-all when it comes to narcissism and types of narcissists.

As challenging as it can be to leave the narcissist in your life behind, psychologists believe that letting a narcissistic person go can be important for your mental and emotional health. Many times, the behavior of a narcissist can lead you to believe that they are not as self-centered as they look. Unfortunately, it isn’t like that.

In this blog, let’s take a closer look at the different types of narcissists and how to spot them! Knowing the types of narcissists can help you avoid them and protect your mental wellness.

7 Types Of Narcissists

1. The Overt Narcissist

Also known as grandiose narcissists, a covert narcissist is when someone is extremely extrovert, imposing, aggressive, and seeks constant attention. This type of narcissist can be charming and usually expect elite treatment. Overt narcissists prey on others’ vulnerabilities, are competitive, and are even willing to demean others to win.

2. The Covert Narcissist

Covert narcissists have an introverted personality, are quiet, and are subtle in their manipulation. These types of narcissists often come across as passive-aggressive and at the same time, helpless. They often present themselves as victims and are quite dramatic when they want attention. These narcissists also struggle more with anxiety and depression.

3. The Highly-Sensitive Narcissist

Another narcissist type can be the hyper-sensitive one. These, as the name suggests, are sensitive to the body language, expressions, and reactions of others. These types of narcissists are the ones to take things personally and react negatively to criticism. The highly-sensitive narcissists tend to feel ashamed and often try to direct the attention of others elsewhere.

4. The Exhibitionist Narcissist

Another type of narcissist is the exhibitionist. They are constantly in need of attention and believe that they are greater than everyone else – intellectually, emotionally, and even physically. They often look down on others, even on their loved ones. The exhibitionist narcissists are more concerned about their social status and material possessions than others. Their sense of entitlement is huge and they desire to be admired and respected by all.

5. The Sexual Narcissist

The sexual narcissist is another type of narcissist that is too self-centered on sex, is not overly concerned about emotional intimacy, and rarely pays attention to their partner’s needs. Their needs and wants are not in tune with their partners which can lead to tumultuous relationships. Despite this, they crave appreciation and praise from their partner and are not good at dealing with rejection.

6. The Malignant Narcissist

A malignant narcissist can be described as a person with symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Malignant narcissists have all the common traits of a narcissistic personality disorder but also traits such as poor self-identity and lack of empathy. This type of narcissist is very dangerous as they rarely care about remorse and can engage in physical, emotional, sexual, or financial manipulation.

7. The Oblivious Narcissist

As the name suggests, the narcissist who’s unaware of others’ feelings can be described as the oblivious narcissist. They are known for their lack of awareness and indifference towards others’ emotions and feelings. An oblivious narcissist is often self-obsessed, egotistic, aggressive, and cares a great deal about being the center of attention.

How To Spot A Narcissist?

It is important to know if someone is a narcissist or not before you enter a relationship – social, romantic, or platonic – with them. No one wants (nor deserves) to be a recipient of manipulation.

If you believe your loved one to be a narcissist, here are some common signs to look out for:

• They lack empathyand are indifferent to others’ feelings
• They have a grandiose sense of entitlement and self-importance
• They believe that they are superior to others
• They have an inflated need to be admired and respected
• They have an unrealistic sense of entitlement
• They manipulate others to get what they want
• They are often jealous of others’ achievements
• They often display arrogance and want others to recognize their importance

Narcissists, regardless of their type, can wreak havoc in your life and leave you drained. Here are some ways you can disarm a narcissist.

If the narcissist in your life is causing poor mental and emotional health, then it is recommended that you reach out to a professional and get help on how to deal with a narcissist.

I hope that reading about the types of narcissists will help you spot the narcissist in your life. For more, you can always reach out to us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media.

Have you ever had to deal with any of these types of narcissists in your life? How did you deal with them? Let us know in the comments below!

Take Care!