Pillar guide
Types of Narcissist
Covert, overt, malignant, somatic, cerebral and more — how the different presentations differ.
This hub is part of the published site architecture — its full guide content is being written and added over the coming weeks. The pages it links to are live below.
Questions this guide answers
- How many types of narcissist are there?
- What are the main types of narcissist?
- What is malignant narcissism and how does it differ from the other types?
- What is communal narcissism?
- Are narcissist "types" like covert or malignant officially recognised in clinical diagnosis?
- What's the difference between covert and overt narcissism?
- Are covert and vulnerable narcissism the same thing?
- Can someone be more than one type of narcissist at once?
- Do different types of narcissist manipulate or gaslight in different ways?
- What's the difference between having narcissistic traits and being a specific "type" of narcissist?
- How do I work out which type of narcissist I might be dealing with?
- Which type of narcissist tends to be most harmful, and does that change how I should respond?
- Does the right way to respond change depending on which type of narcissist someone shows signs of?
- Can a narcissist's type or behaviour change over time?
- Am I overreacting by putting a "type" label on someone's behaviour?
In this section
Guides & resources
Cerebral Narcissist
Cerebral Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Communal Narcissist
Communal Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Covert Narcissist
Covert Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Covert Narcissist Behaviours
Covert Narcissist Behaviours: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Covert Narcissist Signs
The signs of covert narcissist signs — explained by psychotherapist Keeley Taverner, with what they mean and what to do next.
Covert vs Overt Narcissist
Covert vs Overt Narcissist: the real differences explained clearly, without the clinical jargon.
Female Narcissist
Female Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Grandiose Narcissist
Grandiose Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
High-Functioning Narcissist
High-Functioning Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Malignant Narcissist
Malignant Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Overt Narcissist
Overt Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Somatic Narcissist
Somatic Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Spiritual Narcissist
Spiritual Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Vulnerable Narcissist
Vulnerable Narcissist: what it is, how to recognise it and what you can do — a guide from psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
Not sure if this is what you're living with?
A few honest questions can help you see the pattern more clearly. Our self-reflection checklists are private, take a few minutes, and are never a diagnosis.