Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) involves an over-inflated sense of self, a lack of empathy for other people, and a general sense of self-importance. There are two branches that have been accepted with NPD: grandiose and vulnerable. Grandiose NPD is the most commonly known type and involves having a very high sense of self-esteem with a demand for respect and adoration. Many people with NPD are viewed as being “cold”, with a barrier placed around them from others. One less known type of NPD, vulnerable NPD, is a little less known, but is still as important.
Vulnerable NPD often goes undiscussed because it is the more “quiet” of the two; people with this disorder are unlike their grandiose counterparts as they may come off as shyer or more reserved. Individuals with vulnerable NPD are often highly sensitive to others’ criticisms and emotional reactions but may be burdened by persistent feelings of loneliness. If you have vulnerable NPD, you may tend to act disinterested, bored, condescending, or judgmental around others to get them to engage with you without you having to speak with them directly. While you may have an inflated sense of self-importance, this high self-esteem can easily come crashing down in moments where you experience the loss of a job, a poor performance evaluation at work, etc.
Social media is often a big platform for those with this type of disorder, as they display their lives through tools such as Facebook or Instagram. Those with vulnerable NPD often behave as though they’re underappreciated or underrated, despite their achievements and recognition. In addition, passive aggressiveness is common in those with vulnerable NPD, as they may ignore a person as a form of punishment for not doing what they wanted that person to do. If you’ve been diagnosed with vulnerable NPD, you may blame others’ shortcomings, justify your actions even if others view them as disconcerting, and distance yourself from others based on the belief that they are not good enough.
Treatment for vulnerable NPD is available, and may include medication and psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy”. If you relate to the above symptoms, speak with a licensed professional today to potentially obtain a diagnosis.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, contact us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
References
https://pro.psychcentral.com/exhausted-woman/2016/11/the-secret-facade-of-the-vulnerable-narcissist/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/172220-4-signs-you-may-be-a-vulnerable-narcissist
https://www.learning-mind.com/grandiose-narcissism-vulnerable-narcissism/
