What's Up with Covert/Overt and Vulnerable/Grandiose Narcissism?

Doc Fish

Feb 25, 2025 6 min read

You’ve probably heard the words overt, covert, grandiose, and vulnerable when the topic of narcissism comes up. But guess what?!! We’re not using the terms correctly! (Surprise! 🙄) We’ve been using them to describe “subtypes,” even in the research. However, more current research explains these terms differently.¹ First, let’s talk about overt and covert narcissism. Instead of categorical subtypes of narcissism, the research actually describes them as different expressions of narcissism.¹

Expressions of Overt Narcissism & Covert Narcissism

Overt narcissism is the observable stuff and behaviors that we can measure. So if pathological narcissism was a “personality barrel," the overt narcissism would be what you can see, like the color, the smell, the hazmat warning label (or lack thereof). These symbols and signs give us clues about what lies within the “personality barrel.” A more concrete example of seeing overt narcissism would be observing arrogance or seeing the exploitation of others as the narcissist rants about how great they are compared to others.

Covert narcissism is the hidden wishes/desires/thoughts/fantasies that are unseen and under the surface. It would be the toxic stuff inside the barrel that sizzles and burns, but oddly enough, there’s no observable signs on the outside. No leaking, no bubbles, no gas, no signs. It just looks like a normal “personality barrel…” until it doesn’t. A more concrete example might be the running narrative in the narcissist’s head about how great they are, and how they deserve a promotion, but it’s not stated out loud. If it were stated out loud, it would be overt. Since it’s kept to the self, it’s covert.

Both overt and covert narcissism exist within the same narcissist. The covert stuff gives rise to the overt, behavioral stuff. Depending on the situation you’re in and how much narcissistic supply is given, you may not be aware at all that someone is pathologically narcissistic. Oftentimes, the narcissistic fantasies remain quite grandiose without any indication of pathological behavior. This is where narcissism can seem to lie dormant, where you’re not aware of it until you are!

Now that we understand this basic overt/covert component of narcissism, let’s move on to themes of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism.

Hand Turning Radio Volume Dial — Photo by Nicholas Githiri

Themes of Grandiose Narcissism & Vulnerable Narcissism

Pathological narcissism can actually be understood as two dials within the same person - one is grandiosity and one is vulnerability. The grandiose dial is shiny and beautiful, containing large amounts of arrogance, self-importance, and specialness. Its theme is “Look at me! I’m so wonderful, amazing, beautiful, deserving, etc.” The vulnerable dial is damaged and dirty, highlighting victimhood and pity. Instead of “Look at me,” the vulnerable theme is “Woe is me. I’m the victim here! Everyone is against me!”

Usually, a person tends to have a “default” dial, but they can easily flip the volume levels, switching from grandiose to vulnerable or vice versa. Why? Well, Kernberg (2009) stated that pathologically narcissistic people have “bouts of insecurity disrupting their sense of grandiosity and/or specialness,”² and Horowitz (2009) noted, “Because grandiosity cannot be maintained, narcissists are more vulnerable to shame, panic, helplessness, or depression as life progresses.”³ BOTH grandiosity and vulnerability exist in the SAME person.

Elderly Woman in Sunglasses Fanning Money — Photo by Ron Lach

Grandiose Narcissism

When the grandiose dial is turned up, there’s some things that commonly show up in the pursuit for self-enhancement and positive self-image.

Positive Emotions⁴ and Mania⁵
Negative Emotions to Achievement-Related Failures⁶,⁷
Extroversion⁸ and Outspokenness⁸
Egotism⁸, Boastfulness⁸, and High Self-Esteem⁹
Rejection of Defectiveness (Imperfection)¹⁰
Guilt (but not Shame)¹
Entitlement¹⁰ and Insensitivity Toward Others⁴
Anger⁸ and Hostility⁹
Dominant Behaviors⁹,¹¹
Assertiveness⁸ and Aggression⁸
Criminal Behavior⁴
Gambling⁴
Violence⁵

Kid Hiding in Pillows — Photo by Pixabay

Vulnerable Narcissism

When the vulnerable dial is turned up, there are some different things that pop up in reaction to ego threats or failures to maintain a positive self-image.

Psychosis⁵ and Sleep Disturbance⁵
Negative Emotions to Interpersonal-Related Failures⁶,⁷
Emotional Inhibition¹⁰, Moodiness⁸, and Negative Emotions⁴ like:
- Depression⁵,⁴
- Anxiety⁴, Global Distress⁴, and Paranoid ideation⁴
- Envy⁴ and Bitterness⁸
Introversion⁸
Low Self-Esteem⁹ and Unrelenting Standards (Perfectionism)¹⁰
Shame (but not Guilt)¹
Interpersonal Sensitivity⁴ and Subjugation (Submissiveness)¹⁰
Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance⁴,⁹, and Rejection of Dependence¹⁰
Defensiveness⁸, Hostility⁴, and Exploitativeness⁹

Woman Between Towers — Photo by Elina Sazonova

Remember, both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism exists in the same person. Both also share traits of mistrust of others¹⁰, beliefs they will be abandoned¹⁰, bossiness⁸, demandingness⁸, argumentativeness⁸, conceit⁸, and cruelty⁸. There is an overall self-indulgence and disregard for others’ needs⁸. Regardless of how pathological narcissism presents, it’s still unhealthy and can be harmful to the self and others. If you need assistance in handling the narcissism around you, check out Psychology Today, or if you’re in Virginia or Pennsylvania, check out our private practice, Quest Psychological and Counseling Services for available services.

References

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Horowitz, M. (2009). Clinical phenomenology of narcissistic pathology. Psychiatric Annals, 39(3), 124–128. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20090301-06 ↩︎
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Pincus, A. L., Ansell, E. B., Pimentel, C. A., Cain, N. M., Wright, A. G. C., & Levy, K. N. (2009). Initial construction and validation of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory. Psychological Assessment, 21(3), 365–379. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016530 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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