Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of NarcissismDefinitionSignsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Narcissism
Definition
Signs
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Close
A malignant narcissist is an abusive person who finds pleasure in lying, manipulating, and using other people in order to get the things that they want.
Narcissism is a personality trait recognized throughout history, but awareness ofnarcissistic personality disorder (NPD)and narcissistic personality in popular culture has grown.As a result, people may wonder whether they are dealing with someone who is selfish, thoughtless, or overly power-seeking—or if they are dealing with someone with a true disorder.
This article discusses what it means to be a malignant narcissist and how to spot the signs. It also explores what causes this type of behavior and what you can do to protect yourself from a malignant narcissist.
Malignant narcissism is one of several different types of narcissism. The five main types are:
1:24How to Identify a Malignant Narcissist
1:24
How to Identify a Malignant Narcissist
What It Means to Be a Malignant Narcissist
Although there is only one official diagnosis for narcissism (narcissistic personality disorder), there are different types. Someone withgrandiose narcissism, for instance, requires excessive praise and attention; while someone with vulnerable narcissism tends to have a lot of anxiety and need a lot of supportive attention.
So how does malignant narcissism differ from narcissism? The primary difference is that while narcissism involves symptoms of grandiosity and low empathy for others, a malignant narcissist tends to have more severe symptoms as well as symptoms of other co-occurring personality disorders.
People with this subtype contain the general traits of NPD, including regularegocentricity. They also have antisocial traits and even a sadistic streak, as well as a poor sense of self andlack of empathy. There is often some paranoia involved with malignant narcissism as well.
Some experts see little difference between malignant narcissism andpsychopathyin that both have antisocial behavior and low empathy.
Signs Someone Is a Malignant Narcissist
Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (and the severity of these symptoms) vary. But the following are common characteristics of malignant narcissists:
Additional signs of malignant narcissism can include:
Am I a Narcissist? Take the Test
Causes of Malignant Narcissism
The reasons a person becomes a malignant narcissist is not known.As with mostmental health disorders, NPD can develop as a result of a combination of factors. For instance, the following childhood experiences can contribute to the development of NPD:
Evidence shows that having a close relative with NPD can increase the risk of developing the condition as well.It’s also possible that neurobiology may play a role. According to research published in 2021, some patients with NPD have been found to have altered grey and white brain matter.
The Role of Genetics in Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Diagnosing a Malignant Narcissist
While malignant narcissism isn’t recognized as an official diagnosis in theDSM-5, the standard for diagnosis of psychiatric conditions, mental health experts often use this term to describe a combination of the following:
Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
According to the DSM-5, a person with APD must be at least 18 years old and have a pattern of disregard for the rights of others, including at least three of the following:
What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
The following is an abbreviated summary of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for NPD:
Narcissism vs. NPD
It’s important to note that not all narcissistic traits necessarily indicate apersonality disorderwhich, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), involves at least two of the following four areas:
Even if your loved one isn’t officially diagnosed with NPD, narcissistic behaviors can still be difficult to deal with and have a negative impact on your relationship.
While not every person who displays narcissistic traits is a classic “narcissist” in the sense that they have NPD, even those who fail to meet the criteria for diagnosis can create a lot of harm with the traits they do possess.
Treatment for Malignant Narcissism
Treating malignant narcissism can be challenging, especially since people with NPD often fail to follow through with treatment—if they seek treatment at all.
Therapy
Counseling or therapy is the most common treatment for NPD.If you or someone you care about has narcissistic personality disorder, there are certain therapies that may be helpful. Although there is relatively limited data on this topic, the therapeutic approaches often applied include:
People with NPD generally resist therapy because they fear criticism; however, a willingness to change combined with counseling can provide positive results.
We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT
Medication
There are no medications specifically to treat NPS, but medications may be prescribed to improve symptoms like anger, irritability, and paranoia that sometimes accompany NPD. They might also be prescribed to treat co-occurring psychiatric disorders such asbipolar disorder,substance use disorder, and other personality disorders.
Depending on the symptoms and other mental health issues at play, medications that may be prescribed can include:
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How to Deal With a Malignant Narcissist
How does one deal withNPD in a loved oneor in someone they must deal with, like a boss or co-worker? Here are a few tips that can help:
Malignant narcissists lack empathy, demand constant attention, and are only concerned with their own needs. Because of this, malignant narcissistscannot truly loveother people. What they might confuse with love, or what their partners might take as love, is just a way for them to pursue their own happiness and fulfill their own desires.
How to Cope With a Personality Disorder
When to Seek Help
Because NPD can impact personal relationships, getting help may improve the quality of their interactions with others. Though, in the end, it is up to them whether they seek help and if they put in the work to get the most benefits possible.
Whether or not your loved one is receiving treatment for their condition, you may want to consider speaking with amental health professionalyourself. In addition to helping you better understand their narcissistic behaviors, a therapist can help you develop coping strategies to protectyourmental and emotional well-being.
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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.
A Word From Verywell
Interacting with someone with malignant narcissism isn’t easy, so it’s often easiest if you can put distance between yourself and this person. If the person is a family member or co-worker, creating distance can be difficult. In these cases, it helps to know who you are dealing with and how to handle communication in the healthiest way possible.
If you think your loved one might have malignant narcissism, talk to a healthcare provider. A trained mental health professional can help you learncoping skillsand how to set boundaries andpractice self-care strategies. Group therapy and support groups may also be helpful resources.
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Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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