How to Identify a Malignant Narcissist Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissism is a personality trait that has been recognized throughout history, yet narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and narcissistic personality traits have been in the public eye more often in recent years. As awareness increases, people are wondering if they are dealing with a narcissist rather than someone who is simply selfish, thoughtless, or overly power-seeking in a more general way.
There are different "variants" of narcissism, including malignant narcissism, which many consider the most severe type. Beyond merely wanting to focus primarily on themselves and be held in overly high regard by virtually everyone in their lives, malignant narcissists tend to have a darker side to their self-absorption.
What Is Malignant Narcissism?
While there is only one official diagnosis for narcissists, there are different types of narcissists, and narcissism comes in varying degrees of severity, including grandiose narcissists, who require excessive praise and attention, and vulnerable narcissists, who tend to have a lot of anxiety and need a lot of supportive attention.
Among the variants of narcissism, malignant narcissists are by far the most damaging. This subset contains the general traits of NPD, including regular egocentricity, but also some antisocial traits and even a sadistic streak as well as a poor sense of self and lack of empathy. There is often some paranoia involved with malignant narcissism as well.
How to Recognize Someone With Covert Narcissism
Malignant narcissists can be highly manipulative, and they don't care who they hurt as long as they get their way.
Other symptoms of malignant narcissists include:
They see the world in black-and-white terms, including seeing others as either friend or foe.
They seek to win at all costs and generally leave a great amount of pain, frustration, and even heartache in their wake.
They generally don’t care about the pain they cause others—or may even enjoy it and experience it as empowering.
They will do what it takes to prevent themselves from loss, inconvenience, or failing to get what they want in any situation.
