The HSNS: How to Assess the Vulnerable Narcissist in Your Life

Sherile Turner-Myles
4 min readOct 29, 2023

Vulnerable narcissists are characterised by a fragile self-esteem, a deep fear of rejection, and a tendency to hide their narcissistic traits beneath a cloak of apparent sensitivity and vulnerability. Identifying a vulnerable narcissist can be challenging, as they often present as caring and empathetic individuals.

This is where the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS) becomes a valuable tool for those seeking to recognise these traits in their partners.

By using this tool and seeking professional advice when necessary, you can better understand and address the dynamics of your relationship with a vulnerable narcissist.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Understanding the HSNS Tool:

The Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS) is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure and evaluate characteristics associated with vulnerable narcissism. It was developed to address the limitations of existing measures, such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), which primarily focuses on overt and grandiose narcissistic traits, leaving the covert and vulnerable traits relatively unexamined.

The HSNS assesses various aspects of vulnerable narcissism, including hypersensitivity, fragile self-esteem, defensiveness, and emotional reactivity. Individuals…

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Sherile Turner-Myles

I write about Covert Narcissism and other Personality Disorders, and how they impact relationships.