Covert Narcissism, Collapse, and the Hidden Signs

Key points

When covert narcissists enter collapse, they shift from quiet superiority to distrust and abandonment terror.

Covert withdrawal can show up as disappearing from the public with no selfies, lifestyle updates, or posts.

Covert narcissists may engage in indirect, deniable signals based on reasserting dominance and control.

Most people think of narcissistic behavior as loud, extroverted , flashy, and brash, which often identifies a more grandiose narcissist. However, there is a quieter form of narcissism that can go unnoticed, especially when paired with a mundane life. What few recognize is that a vulnerable ("covert") narcissist can be unpredictable, domineering, or erratic when there has been a threat to their self-worth or their need for validation. Behind their seemin