This punch in of narcissism is harder to spot but can be just as toxic as the overt kind.
Experts explain what to look for.
In covert narcissism, the grandiosity is hidden but vulnerability is at full volume.
Covert narcissists may appear quiet, introverted, anxious or even depressed, said University of Georgia psychology professorW.
But that is not a clinical description.
So what does covert narcissism look like in a romantic relationship?
Experts explain some signs to watch out for below:
They constantly play the victim.
No matter the situation, somehow your partner isalwaysthe injured party.
Theyre always feeling criticized, let down and unsupported, she told HuffPost.
They seethe with jealousy when the spotlight is on you.
(She also noted that covert types tend to have more trauma or abuse in their upbringings).
Lets say your friends threw you a celebratory dinner for a promotion you got at work.
And they will do it by bringing the attention perhaps to their own suffering, their own victimization.
It can look like vulnerability.
They brood or act out instead of saying whats really on their mind.
A covert narcissist wields emotion in a manipulative way.
Any vulnerability they show is more display than genuine feeling, Malkin said.
In fact, covert narcissists often brood instead of saying exactly whats on their mind.
They suck all the air out of the room.
And they act accordingly.
For that reason, they feel entitled to air time.
Theyre very defensive.
Covert narcissists are both insecure and hypersensitive, which can make them very difficult to deal with, psychiatristDr.
Harold Hong told Mind Body Green.
But when you do, youre nurturing a relationship where your partners pain is always more important than yours.
Psychotherapy is often crucial to the process of holding on to your center, he added.
Renew your promise to be faithful and true to yourself as an individual, she said.
Develop a practice of mindfulness that keeps you psychologically grounded.
Honor and maintain stable, steady boundaries.
