A vulnerable narcissist may appear as a very confident and self-assured person with a very inflated self-image, but the truth is anything but that. Beneath all the bravado, there is a lot of insecurity they try so hard to hide.
Narcissists relate to others in some very problematic ways. The way they view themselves and others dilute true intimacy and depth in relationships. Narcissists come in two main types. (See: Vulnerable Narcissists’ Relationship Ways.) And relationships with vulnerable narcissists can be especially challenging when it comes to intimacy.
What vulnerable narcissists crave
Some call vulnerable narcissists the “compensatory” type. This is because the inflated image they project hides an underlying state of insecurity.
in the event of their insecurity,
They seek admiration.
They often hunt for recognition and praise.
They seem to need constant reassurance.
They constantly compare themselves to others.
It is important to them how you think they face the competition.
And they are not happy unless they think they are on top of the heap.
Relationships with any narcissist suffer because it is always about them. They are so absorbed in themselves and their desires that there is no room to look at others. And because they can’t care about you or your needs, intimacy suffers.
Related: 5 Things People Say To Justify Staying In A Toxic Relationship
What vulnerable narcissistic relationship partners crave
From our earliest days, we humans crave intimacy. Infants cannot develop without close physical and emotional contact. And this need for human “contact” never goes away. In fact, our intimacy needs only seem to grow over the course of our lives. The single biggest complaint that hurts relationship partners is the loss of closeness.
Pay attention to them or give them positive whacks, and vulnerable narcissists can act like they really value you.
But ask for something from them – especially an interest in your wants and needs, that’s another matter entirely. They don’t know how to be close. This is because they don’t know how to care. They cannot get out of themselves, their desires and needs. This means that they cannot take care of the needs of others. This leaves their relationship partners starving for affection.
