Covert vs. Overt Narcissism

Covert and overt narcissism are two classifications that fall into the narcissist personality disorder. These share the typical traits found in a narcissist including a lack of empathy, delusions of grandeur for oneself, and the inability to apologize or take responsibility for their actions. Overt narcissism is classified by grandiosity, an inflated ego, and the need to seek attention compulsively. While covert narcissism is more subtle and can be more challenging to diagnose. Covert narcissists seek to maintain control over others, focused on power-seeking.

While both types of narcissism can be very damaging to their relationships, their behaviors are very different. The biggest difference between covert and overt narcissists is that overt narcissists often come across as confident and assertive, while covert narcissists are often seen as insecure and fragile.

Identifying the Overt Narcissist

Someone who needs to constantly be the center of attention, even at the detriment of others, with a inflated sense of entitlement and need for special treatment is likely an overt narcissist. Regardless of whether the attention they get is positive or negative, overt narcissists often demand admiration from others. When they do not get this, they may react with impatience, rage, and even physical violence. At other times overt narcissists can be charming, able to flatter others when it works to their advantage. This personality disorder is often seen as an arrogant person, especially when dealing with others that they consider beneath them.

Traits of a Covert Narcissist

Covert narcissists may be more subtle and difficult to identify. They often behave passive-aggressively to achieve what they want and are very good at garnering sympathy from others. Those suffering from this personality disorder will often have delusions of victimization and are not above staging a crisis for the purpose of getting attention from others. They tend to seek out relationships with caretaker personality types and are very good at blaming their problems on others, whether other people, institutions, or even circumstances.

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

There are many different factors that may play a role in whether someone develops a narcissistic personality disorder. Genetics is one, with a child whose parent has NPD having a greater likelihood of also developing this. The way that you are parented as a young child can also factor into your chances of developing a narcissistic personality disorder. Similarly, the environment and culture that you were brought up in may play a factor. Research has shown that there may also be a biological aspect to narcissist personality disorders. Those suffering from NPD have shown through brain scans that they have less gray matter in the parts of the brain that are associated with empathy.