A vulnerable narcissist is a type of narcissist that tends to be highly self-conscious, insecure, and hypersensitive to rejection. They oscillate between feeling inferior and superior to others, and they become easily offended, anxious, or even hostile when they're not put on a pedestal.
In fact, narcissists are often attracted to strong, confident, and self-assured women. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is important to realize that the narcissistic traits of grandiosity and confidence are really a mask for deep insecurity.
Vulnerable narcissists show hypersensitivity to rejection, social isolation, negative emotions, distrust, and increased anger and hostility.
This study confirms that grandiose narcissism is negatively associated with guilt proneness (negative behaviour evaluation and repair). In addition, the vulnerable narcissism is also negatively associated with guilt proneness (negative behaviour evaluation and repair).
Narcissists can and do love, but their love tends to be superficial and fleeting. They can develop intense emotional attachments—even appearing to "fall in love"—and yet still maintain a complete lack of empathy for the object of their affection.
So do covert narcissists know what they are doing? While they may be aware on some level that their behaviors have a negative impact on other people, narcissists also tend to lack self-awareness and insight.
You may have come across a narcissistic or sociopathic personality type. Narcissists and sociopaths are notorious for engaging in both emotional and physical infidelity. Not only are narcissists players and pick-up artists in the dating world, they are also serial cheaters in relationships.
There's no cure for narcissistic personality disorder, although treatment can help you manage some of the symptoms. Those people who may rank lower on the narcissism scale are more likely to benefit from mental health therapy compared to those who have a clinical NPD diagnosis.
It is the person who has become codependent (as a result of prior experiences) who is actually most vulnerable to narcissists.
Type As can also be dangerous to narcissists
Although they can be targeted, type A people can also become a narcissist's worst nightmare. One of the most important defenses against dark personalities is having strong boundaries yourself, and type A people are usually aware they have the right to build them.
This cycle is broken down into three important phases: idealization, devaluation, and rejection. By understanding these key points, people who are struggling with narcissism or those who are in a relationship with a narcissist can get the help they need.
Many narcissists, at some point or other, do become aware of the effect their behaviors have on other people, but they are completely indifferent to it.
Yes, a vulnerable narcissist can have empathy, but they can often struggle to put themselves in someone else's shoes and be understanding of others' perspectives. Particularly when their sense of self-esteem feels threatened. But again, with the help of a therapist, they can work on developing their empathy.
That is, vulnerable narcissistic individuals may be overwhelmed by their own emotions, have difficulty regulating those emotions, and as a result have impairment in empathic processes.
Unless they have had a lot of successful psychotherapy for their NPD, they do not feel guilt, shame, or self-doubt so long as their narcissistic defenses hold. This means that they do not think there is anything for them to regret, no matter how hurt you feel.
They get jealous about everything
They talk a good game, but narcissists actually have very low self-esteem. Low self-worth/confidence/esteem is at the core of a narcissism. This low sense of self naturally makes it extremely easy for them to become jealous – very jealous.
Narcissists can feel emotional pain, but not usually in the same way as others. The emotional pain they may feel is usually related to underlying selfish needs. Underneath the displays of superiority and sense of entitlement, they often feel empty, powerless, and shameful, which they perceive as weakness.
Consistent to our expectations, the results revealed that vulnerable narcissism is associated not only to the fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia) but also to the joy of laughing at others (katagelasticism). In turn, it was unrelated to the joy of being laughed at (gelotophilia).
Shy, withdrawn, and socially awkward
Instead of being out there, loud, and drawing attention to themselves, the vulnerable narcissist is more shy and socially withdrawn. In this way, they can appear to be more emotionally sensitive, compassionate, and, yes, vulnerable.
It is a misconception that narcissists target weak, vulnerable people because they will be easier to manipulate. They actually go for the exact opposite. They look for people who are confident, successful, attractive and strong-willed.