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Types-of-Narcissism-Explainer-GettyImages-200317256-001<\/span> , an assistant professor of medical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, tells Health<\/em>.<\/p>\nIn general, a narcissist has an outsized need to be admired, a sense of entitlement, and constant thoughts about being better than others, whether that means being more successful or more loved. The overarching expression of this type of personality "is an obsession with self that prevents intimacy with others," Paul Hokemeyer, PhD<\/a>, a psychotherapist and author of Fragile Power: Why Having Everything Is Never Enough<\/em>, tells Health<\/em>.<\/p>\n While it's unclear if narcissism is on the rise, what has<\/em> increased are the outlets where narcissistic personality traits can be put on display—and celebrated. From TikTok to Instagram to reality TV, "these mediums have brought narcissism into our lives and homes with an increased frequency and intensity," says Hokemeyer.<\/p>\n Narcissists fall into two broad categories: grandiose and vulnerable<\/a>; a third category, narcissistic personality disorder, is an actual mental health disorder. All share a couple of traits, such as self-centeredness and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. But within each type are some important differences. <\/p>\n RELATED: 10 Signs You (or Someone You Know) Might Be a Narcissist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Take a sense of "I'm better than you" and add in ambition, charisma, and charm, and you get a grandiose narcissist, "like Tony Stark from Iron Man<\/em>," W. Keith Campbell, PhD,<\/a> a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia and author of The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Challenges of Our Time — and What You Can Do About It, <\/em>tells Health. <\/em>"They're sometimes likable, like a politician or a celebrity, and people look up to them, so they don't have to be mean all the time."<\/p>\n A grandiose narcissist has high self-esteem, a tendency to overestimate their abilities, and a habit of trying to manipulate or control others. They'll push forth positive illusions about themselves, while simultaneously trying to suppress any info that puts them in an unflattering light.<\/p>\n Some studies have shown that a grandiose narcissist can also be either "adaptive" or "maladaptive," depending on which traits they display the most.<\/p>\n Adaptive narcissists build up their self-esteem as a way to protect themselves from being hurt by others. "These individuals tend to be more successful in life than the majority of the population because they strive to be more attractive, healthier, and more successful versions of themselves," says Hokemeyer.<\/p>\n They can also be friendly, warm, persuasive, and have real leadership qualities. (One study found that adaptive narcissists were also more likely to be politicians<\/a>.)<\/p>\n But maladaptive narcissists<\/a> don't have such sunny intentions—they're willing to exploit others so they can get ahead, and they feel entitled to do so.<\/p>\n RELATED: Sociopath vs. Narcissist: Experts Explain the Difference<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Unlike a grandiose narcissist, a vulnerable narcissist isn't<\/em> the life or leader of the party. They're more likely to be standing in the corner, sipping a drink, irritated that no one's paying attention to them.<\/p>\n Vulnerable narcissists are insecure, introverted, and have low self-esteem—"someone who thinks they deserve special treatment, but isn't aggressive in getting their needs met," says Campbell.<\/p>\n Although they fantasize about success and want other people to admire them so they feel better about themselves, vulnerable narcissists are passive and withdrawn, which makes reaching their goals a tough sell.<\/p>\n RELATED: Narcissistic Abuse Is the Scary New Kind of Emotional Abuse You Need to Know About<\/strong><\/p>\n Narcissism exists on a spectrum. Showing traits that could classify you as a grandiose or vulnerable narcissist doesn't necessarily mean you have a mental health disorder. In small <\/em>amounts, it may even give you a healthy edge in getting ahead in the world.<\/p>\n But extreme narcissistic symptoms are classified as narcissistic personality disorder<\/a>, or what some call "pathological narcissism."<\/p>\n "This is the type of narcissism we think about when we state with derision that a person is a narcissist," Hokemeyer says. "These individuals are self-absorbed, manipulative, and exploitative in relationships. They lack compassion and empathy and believe they're superior to everyone and everything around them."<\/p>\n According to the DSM-5 (the manual of mental disorders that experts use to make a diagnosis) people with NPD<\/a> display five or more of the following traits:<\/p>\n The irony? Despite these behaviors, people with NPD often suffer from low self-esteem.<\/p>\n RELATED: What It Means to Be a High-Functioning Sociopath—and How to Tell if You Know One<\/strong><\/p>\nGrandiose narcissism <\/h2>\n
Vulnerable narcissism <\/h2>\n
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) <\/h2>\n
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Can narcissism be treated? <\/h2>\n