Recognizing the signs of classic narcissism is one thing, but identifying a narcissist in your life is quite another.

Every narcissist is unique, with their own quirks and manipulative tactics—a fact that makes dealing with them all the more difficult.

Have you ever wondered why every narcissist seems different from the next? That’s because narcissism isn’t one size fits all. It comes in different forms and intensities. In this article, I’ll show you how narcissists can differ from one another.

1 Overt Narcissism

Overt narcissists are overtly arrogant, have a clear sense of entitlement, often disregard the feelings of others, and crave attention and admiration.

If you come across someone who is overtly arrogant, constantly seeking attention, and displays a sense of entitlement while disregarding the feelings of others, you’re likely dealing with an overt narcissist. They’re often seen as the classic embodiment of narcissism: extroverted, self-promoting, and aggressively competitive.

They love the spotlight and have no problem putting others down to keep it. Their inflated self-perception allows them to believe they are superior to others, and they can’t understand why others don’t see it.

They are the ones who constantly brag about their accomplishments, whether real or imagined, and demand your admiration.

2 Covert (or Vulnerable) Narcissism

Covert narcissists may appear introverted, often have grandiose fantasies, and may feel victimized when their perceived superiority is not acknowledged.

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While overt narcissists enjoy attention, covert or vulnerable narcissists present a different, more hidden side to narcissism. Unlike their extroverted counterparts, covert narcissists often appear introverted. They may appear shy or reserved, but beneath this facade, they harbor grandiose fantasies.

They dream of achieving great power, praise, and admiration. However, they tend to feel like victims when their perceived superiority is not acknowledged. They are prone to wallowing in self-pity, feeling that the world does not appreciate their greatness.

If you are dealing with a covert narcissist, you may find them difficult to spot at first. Their narcissism is not flashy or obvious. But over time, their sense of entitlement and lack of empathy will begin to emerge. Remember, covert narcissism is still narcissism, but it wears a different mask.

3 Hypervigilant Narcissism

This subtype is characterized by extreme sensitivity to insults or criticism and a detailed focus on perceived injustice, which is sometimes linked to covert narcissism.

You may find yourself dealing with a hypervigilant narcissist if you notice an extreme sensitivity to criticism and an almost obsessive focus on perceived wrongdoing or injustice.

This person is always on high alert, scanning their environment for any hint of disrespect or insult.

They view any criticism, no matter how constructive, as a personal attack. They are trapped in a constant state of defensiveness and can react with extreme anger or withdrawal.

Hypervigilant narcissists also pay attention to real or imagined injustice, and often feel victimized and misunderstood.

Dealing with this form of narcissism can be difficult, as it requires a delicate balance between acknowledging their feelings and not enabling their hypersensitivity.

4 Oblivious Narcissism

Oblivious narcissists are often unaware of their impact on others. They ignore the feelings and needs of others out of ignorance, not intentionally. This is closely related to overt narcissism.

Oblivious narcissists often wander through life happily, unaware of the harm they are doing to those around them. They are not necessarily malicious; they are simply naive about the impact they are having on others. Their lack of awareness can make them appear self-obsessed and self-absorbed.

You may feel ignored or neglected in their presence because they prioritize their needs and desires above all else.

5 Exhibitionist Narcissism

Exhibitionist narcissists constantly seek to be the center of attention and engage in a lot of drawing attention to themselves, similar to overt narcissism.

Exhibitionist narcissists are often seen as the life of the party, constantly seeking the spotlight and going to great lengths to ensure they are the center of attention.

You will find them dominating conversations, making grand gestures, and often exaggerating their successes to elevate their status. They are usually charismatic and entertaining, but beneath the show, they are primarily concerned with their image and how they are perceived.

They need constant validation and admiration from others to boost their inflated egos. They may resort to dramatic or manipulative tactics if they are not getting the attention they crave.

Their desire for attention often overrides their concern for others, leading to strained relationships and conflict.

6 Somatic Narcissism

Somatic narcissists are overly focused on their physical appearance and health, often using their bodies to gain attention or validation.

While exhibitionist narcissists crave the spotlight, somatic narcissists, on the other hand, are obsessed with their physical appearance and health, often using their bodies as tools to gain attention and validation.

If they are physical narcissists, they will likely spend a great deal of time in front of the mirror, at the gym, or shopping for the latest fashion trends. Their appearance, physique, and overall health are not just important to them—they are the most important.

They may view their bodies as a trophy to be admired, and they often find ways to draw attention to their physical features. They are not just looking for compliments; they are looking to validate and assure their worth.

However, this constant pursuit of physical perfection can leave them dissatisfied, and they are constantly searching for the next best thing to enhance their appearance.

7 Sexual Narcissism

They use and exploit their sexual prowess or sexual adventures to gain attention and control over others.

Sexual narcissists are individuals who use their sexual prowess or adventures as a tool to gain attention and manipulate others.

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They are not just self-confident. They are overly proud of their sexual accomplishments. You may notice them bragging about their victories, using sex as a means of exerting control, or reducing their partners to mere objects of their desires.

They may seem charming at first, but their primary goal is to get their needs met, often at the expense of their partner’s feelings.

Their lack of genuine intimacy and empathy can make their relationships superficial and transactional.

8 Cerebral Narcissism

These people are particularly proud of their intelligence, knowledge, and academic achievements. They use their intelligence to gain praise and manipulate others.

Just as a sexual narcissist exploits their sexual achievements, a cerebral narcissist is extremely proud of their intellectual prowess and academic achievements.

You’ll find them bragging about their knowledge, using big words, and often reminding you of their academic degrees or accomplishments.

But it’s not just about pride. They cleverly use their intelligence to manipulate and control others, making them feel inferior or uninformed. Their conversations are often monologues filled with their own insights, theories, or discoveries, leaving little room for other people’s ideas.

While they may seem like the smartest person in the room, they lack humility and can dismiss others’ ideas without giving them a fair hearing. This is a key sign of cerebral narcissism, where the mind is not used for growth or enlightenment but for power and control.

9 Malignant Narcissism

This extreme form of narcissism displays antisocial, paranoid, and sadistic traits. Malignant narcissists can be cruel and enjoy hurting others.

Malignant narcissism, a severe form of narcissism, displays antisocial, paranoid, and sadistic traits that can make a person exceptionally cruel and even enjoy hurting others. This personality type is typically manipulative, callous, and indifferent to the feelings of others.

Malignant narcissists may engage in harmful behavior without feeling remorse. They are likely to display a sense of entitlement, exploit others, and lack empathy.

Their paranoia can manifest itself in the form of a constant suspicion of the motives of those around them. They may even display sadistic traits, finding satisfaction in inflicting pain or humiliation on others.

10 Collective Narcissism

Collective narcissists often portray themselves as altruistic or compassionate in order to gain attention, validation, or praise.

You may find it surprising, but communal narcissists often wear a mask of altruism or caring in order to gain attention, validation, or praise.

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You will find them leading community projects, volunteering, or always willing to lend a helping hand. But don’t be fooled; their good deeds aren’t meant to help others as much as they are to enhance their own image.

They thrive on the praise and appreciation they receive for their public acts of kindness. However, their altruistic actions are often selfish and insincere.

They may even feel superior to others because of their “selfless” actions. Collective narcissists can be difficult to recognize because their actions seem genuine. But remember, true altruism does not seek applause or validation.

11 Spiritual Narcissism

Spiritual narcissists use their spiritual beliefs or practices to manipulate, control, and dominate others.

While communal narcissists disguise themselves as altruists, spiritual narcissists use their beliefs as tools of manipulation and control. They use their spirituality or religious practices to assert superiority, often claiming a direct line to divine understanding.

This type of narcissist is not just confident in their beliefs. They insist that their path is the only right path. As a result, they may belittle or dismiss the beliefs and practices of others, using their spiritual status to dominate conversations and relationships.

Be wary of anyone who uses spirituality as a tool of control rather than a path to personal growth. If you feel pressured, manipulated, or belittled under the guise of spiritual enlightenment, take a step back. This is spiritual narcissism at work.