6 Signs Your Best Friend Is a Covert Narcissist
Covert narcissists are a subtype of narcissistic personality disorder characterised by their self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and an inflated sense of self-importance, often hidden behind a façade of humility and insecurity. While they may appear friendly and supportive on the surface, covert narcissists often struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships, including friendships, due to their underlying personality traits. In fact, research has shown that covert narcissists tend to experience greater difficulty forming relationships than other types of narcissists, such as grandiose narcissists (Fossati et al., 2015).
Moreover, covert narcissists tend to have a fragile sense of self-esteem and may feel threatened by others’ success or accomplishments, leading to envy and resentment. This can result in competition and a need to be seen as superior to others, making it difficult for them to form mutually supportive relationships.
Furthermore, covert narcissists tend to have an avoidant attachment style, which means they avoid closeness and intimacy in relationships. They may also use passive-aggressive behaviour to get their way and avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
Overall, these factors contribute to the challenges covert narcissists face in building and maintaining healthy relationships…
