A Face of Narcissism: The Susceptible Narcissist

By Lisa M. Juliano, PsyD and Kristen Beesley, Ph.D.

We’re all by now nicely acquainted with the traits of the narcissist.

This particular person is grandiose in method.

Devalues others whereas inflating themselves.

Lacks empathy for anybody (moreover themselves, after all.)

Is an individual whose achievements are simply the best.

Owns the easiest stuff. They deserve the best, in any case.

However how do you notice a susceptible narcissist?

A susceptible narcissist feels she or he should shield themselves from damaging scrutiny. And to them, any scrutiny feels damaging. They wrestle with taking in compliments, mistrusting the supply and perverting such suggestions into veiled assaults.

They’ll are typically secretive, solely revealing a few of their persona for worry of being emotionally annihilated. You may expertise them as helpless, defeated, but simply angered by what they aren’t getting. They’ll lack empathy, principally as a result of they haven’t skilled a lot empathy rising up.

Chances are you’ll understand them as nice sufficient however quickly, an interpersonal detachment leaves you feeling unseen and confused.

Chances are you’ll assume:

Are they listening to me?

What simply occurred?

I assumed we have been getting alongside, however swiftly, they withdraw or change into indignant and you are feeling unhealthy about one thing however can’t work out what.

The way to take care of the susceptible narcissist?

Coping with the susceptible narcissist includes one thing the narcissist lacks – empathy.

The susceptible narcissist has emotional wounds that led them to change into defensive. They specific emotions of grandiosity. There’s an air of haughty secretiveness and devaluation, expressed as withdrawal and quiet rage towards others.

This particular person could really feel depressed, however the precise illness could also be this overwhelming sense of vulnerability that inhibits them from being absolutely genuine and reaching a cohesive sense of self. It might sound trite – nevertheless it’s “not their fault.” The notion of “fault” may make some readers really feel as if they should excuse somebody who could have triggered them a substantial amount of ache. And it might not be their “fault” nevertheless it stays their accountability to take care of their a part of a dysfunctional interpersonal interplay.

For the susceptible narcissist, remedy may also help unravel this thriller and promote a steady vanity and a stronger, extra resilient id. If you’re concerned with somebody who reveals these traits, attempt to present empathy whereas sustaining wholesome and robust boundaries within the relationship. Remedy may also help you, as nicely.

Lisa M. Juliano, PsyD is a licensed Medical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in non-public apply in New York Metropolis, the place she is on the supervising college at William Alanson White Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. She is a member of the American Psychoanalytic Affiliation Committee on Public Info.