Most of us think we know someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder — it’s the Instagram influencer, the selfish jerk at the gym, or the hysterical reality TV star we hate watching every week.

However, narcissism takes many forms, and not all of them are straightforward.

Narcissists can also be analytical, introverted, brooding, and intellectual, the opposite of what we typically think of as narcissistic behavior; cerebral narcissists will dazzle you with their intelligence rather than their charm.

But that doesn’t make them any less threatening, and in fact, their superior (or perceived superior) intelligence gives them a dangerously inflated ego.

WhatIsACerebralNarcissist?

Let’s start with what a cerebral narcissist is because it’s not always easy to spot.

Unlike typical narcissists (referred to as somatic narcissists), they’re likely not conceited about their appearance or boast about their financial success or sexual conquests.

In fact, psychopathic narcissists may sometimes not even care about sex.

Since they consider others to be less intelligent than themselves and that intelligence is their biggest turn-on, it can be difficult to find a partner they are attracted to.

Related : How Do Empaths Protect Themselves From Narcissists?

Most often, psychopathic narcissists are highly intelligent, a trait that most of us find admirable.

However, unlike the average person, psychopathic narcissists see cognitive ability as a form of power and a way to gain it.

Their intellectual pursuits are not about exploring their personal interests or expanding their knowledge for the benefit of humanity; they are simply about controlling others.

Signs of a Mental Narcissist

Intelligence

Given the definition of a mental narcissist, you might assume that they are all highly intelligent.

This is often true, but not always. Just as many physical narcissists are not rich, powerful, or beautiful—they simply believe they are.

To cover their knowledge gaps, mental narcissists will only engage in conversations that they know they can dominate.

They will also jump at the chance to prove someone wrong, no matter how trivial the topic, as long as it makes them seem smarter than their peers.

Power

Like physical narcissists, mental narcissists enjoy having power over others—they gain this power with their mind, not their body and charm.

They see everyone as intellectually inferior to them and unworthy of their respect.

They do not accept criticism and seek to destroy anyone who poses a threat to their power.

However, cerebral narcissists will often compliment a potential partner by declaring that you are their intellectual equal (the highest compliment they can give).

Unfortunately, the compliment is simply a way for victims to be lured in to provide them with a source of narcissistic supply.

Lack of Interest in Sex

One of the hallmarks of cerebral narcissism is a lack of interest in sex.

A cerebral narcissist may watch porn or masturbate frequently but will have no interest in intimacy with their spouse.

Cerebral narcissists have no interest in physical pleasure and view their sex drive as a shameful desire to be dealt with alone.

This is in direct contrast to the behavior of most narcissists, who enjoy sexual relationships very much, even if they are devoid of intimacy.

No type of narcissist is capable of establishing any kind of real connection with their partner, so the difference is a matter of appearance rather than personality traits.

Gender Differences Male and Female Cerebral Narcissists

There are some gender differences in cerebral narcissists: Female cerebral narcissists do not seem to be as common as women who face backlash for overt displays of intelligence.

While men are praised for their intellectual superiority, women face a very undesirable backlash for their female narcissistic self-image.

Men are more likely to display cerebral narcissism because intelligence is valued and praised in them.

But female cerebral narcissists do exist and are often found at the top of their fields with degrees, certifications, and various professional accolades.

Once in a position of power, they will use their credentials to torment those below them.

The narcissist’s abuse is often directed at female subordinates, whom they see as a threat to their position.

Causes of Cerebral Narcissistic Personality Disorder

The root cause of cerebral narcissistic personality disorder is not really known, but it is suspected that there are some common factors between it and general narcissism.

Causes can be divided into the classic combinations of nature (genes) versus nurture (environment.

Genetic Factors

Narcissism is only in some people’s DNA, and while scientists haven’t pinpointed its exact location, the trait appears to be inherited from parent to child.

There’s not much anyone can do about their genetic makeup, but a genetic predisposition toward certain traits doesn’t guarantee that those traits will be expressed.

Environmental Factors

While many of us have the genetic code for narcissism, the trait usually needs an environmental boost to become active.

Many researchers believe that narcissistic personality can be traced back to parent-child relationships in which the parent was either overprotective or neglectful.

In both cases, the parent’s behavior was out of sync with what the child needed at the time—an insecure child receiving little attention or a secure child being smothered in worship.

The chaos of the genetic-environmental relationship makes it difficult for social scientists to identify ways to prevent this disorder.

Adults with narcissism begin to exhibit behaviors in their teenage years, Which is confused with the normal moodiness and selfishness typical of this age.

Cerebral narcissists may appear to be obsessed with studying and focused on their studies, which are seen as positive traits, and so treatment is rarely offered during those early years.

Is there a test for cerebral narcissists?

Cerebral narcissism is not categorically different from other forms of narcissism, so any test for it will pick up the cerebral type. Unfortunately, testing for narcissism is very difficult.

Many of the traits that contribute to being a narcissist are positive, as long as they are not excessive: ambition, high self-esteem, and confidence.

They are traits that contribute to a happy and healthy individual; the downside of narcissism lies in how the narcissist perceives and treats the people around them.

You will find hundreds of tests for Narcissistic Personality Disorder all over the internet. Most of them require the suspected narcissist to take them (a questionable possibility) and their scientific accuracy is questionable.

However, unlike many other personality disorders, a large percentage of narcissists freely admit that they are narcissists.

They are not ashamed of it and see no harmful effects of its presence – it only hurts other people, who tend not to empathize with them.

Related : How To Go Low Contact With Your Narcissistic Mother?

Clinical professionals can diagnose the disorder, but it depends on the narcissist’s willingness to seek treatment.

If you think your partner or someone close to you might be a cerebral narcissist, there’s a good chance you’re right, especially if you’ve gone through the three stages of narcissistic abuse:

• Idealization
• Devaluation
• Disposal
• Cerebral Narcissistic Abuse

Narcissistic abuse comes in many forms—manipulation, invasion of privacy, neglect, and emotional blackmail.

However, cerebral narcissists are more likely to engage in verbal abuse that belittles your intelligence and defends their own.

If they feel like you’re an intellectual rival, your relationship will be a never-ending competition.

Cerebral narcissists aren’t much different in how they abuse their victims, and they follow the pattern of idealizing, devaluing, and dispossessing everything a narcissist does.

Grandizing

At the beginning of a relationship, narcissists will shower their partner with praise to make them feel special.

Cerebral narcissists value intelligence above all else and can’t imagine being with someone less intelligent than themselves.

They will want to share their love of all things intellectual and cultured, while simultaneously getting you addicted to their self-esteem-boosting powers.

Devaluing

Once a cerebral narcissist has you under their thumb, they will want to bring you down.

No one can be their intellectual equal and one of the best ways they can make themselves feel superior to others is by discrediting them.

They may call you stupid to your face, belittle you in front of friends, or simply question your every decision.

They want you to know that you don’t deserve respect and that the only way to get it back is to praise the narcissist’s intelligence.

Get Rid

Even with constant praise, most narcissists abandon their partners and move on to new victims.

Getting rid of a psychotic narcissist is particularly annoying because it’s often sudden and final.

Your perceived lack of intelligence makes you worthless in their minds, so they’re less likely than a typical narcissist to return to the relationship.

Difference Between a Covert Narcissist and a Psychotic Narcissist

Covert narcissists are often confused with psychotic narcissists, not only because they’re similar, but also because psychotic narcissists seem to be more subtle about their narcissistic tendencies.

Covert narcissists are typically introverted, and don’t try to be the center of attention.

They are not divas, entertainers, or the life of the party. Their negative behaviors center around those closest to them, people who have the potential to upset their fragile self-esteem.

Covert narcissists are usually not overly so during the idealization phase, when love bombing is common.

They often appear sensitive and thoughtful rather than charming and outgoing. However, they are not much different from overt narcissists during the devaluation and disposal phase.

They tend to be emotionally neglectful, blame their partner for their mistakes, and belittle them in order to feel more important.

The main overlap between covert and cerebral narcissists is that both are seen as quiet and introverted.

Covert narcissists do not need to be particularly intelligent or focused on intellectual pursuits, but they are simply not as outgoing as overt narcissists.

They can still focus on wealth, body image, and other aspects of their lives that may be completely uninteresting to cerebral narcissists; cerebral narcissists are completely detached in this regard.

How to Deal with a Cerebral Narcissist?

The cerebral narcissist always seems to have another trick up his sleeve and one final piece of overwhelming advice in the discussion.

You may feel like there’s no way to win with them and that the best course of action is to just follow their lead.

Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case and there are some things you can do to minimize the harm that a cerebral narcissist inflicts.

Don’t Understand

Cerebral narcissists always consider themselves the smartest person in the room and will do anything to make you feel the same way.

More often than not, they belittle their victims into submission and manipulate them into believing they are less intelligent and less valuable.

Avoid Conflict

This type of narcissist is a master of debate and will do anything to win an argument.

Even if you are a competent partner in verbal sparring, the narcissist is always ready to back down and play dirtier. The best advice is to avoid the argument in the first place.

Walk Away (If You Can)

Narcissists of all types are difficult to treat and without treatment, there is little chance of them changing.

No matter how much you study the traits of cerebral narcissists and understand what makes them tick, you are bound to be hurt by them.

Partners often feel guilty about leaving, but you can’t sacrifice your own well-being for someone who needs professional help.

Leaving is painful, but in the long run it’s the only way to save yourself from years of narcissistic abuse.

FinalThoughts

Cerebral narcissists are certainly less of a personality type than physical narcissists.

They’re not as flashy or in your face, but they exhibit many of the same dangerous tendencies and often hurt those closest to them.

Understanding their disorder and how it affects you is the first step to healing from narcissistic abuse.

While many narcissists aren’t interested in changing, some are, and with professional help, their negative tendencies can be overcome.