Victim Mentality and Covert Narcissism: Understanding the Connection and Recognising the Signs.
The art of being a victim is not about being weak, it’s about being invisible in plain sight.” — Anon.
In the complex choreography of human psychology, few roles are as paradoxically visible and invisible as that of the covert narcissist. Cloaked in a mantle of self-effacing modesty, yet driven by an unquenchable thirst for affirmation, the covert narcissist navigates the world with a deeply ingrained victim mentality.
At the heart of covert narcissism lies an inversion of the traditional narcissistic persona. Unlike their overt counterparts, who bask in the limelight of grandiosity and self-importance, covert narcissists adopt a facade of humility. Yet, beneath this seemingly modest exterior lurks a profound sense of entitlement and superiority. Their self-imposed victimhood that lies deep within requires manipulating the empathy and sympathy of others to satiate their egoic need for supply.
The reason victimhood is a defining characteristic of covert narcissism is that it allows these individuals to masterfully divert attention from their own flaws and responsibilities. Their internal narratives of personal misfortune and injustice, effectively cast themselves in the role of the wronged party. This stance is not merely a cry for…
