Psychology professor Dr. Ramani Durvasula has recently appeared on Mayim Bialik’s show to speak about the six different types of narcissists who all act differently and how to tell them apart.
She has also previously spoken about red flags to look out for when you’re trying to figure out whether someone is a narcissist. This time, she tells us about the six different types to look out for.
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The first type is the grandiose narcissist
The most obvious type of narcissist, one that Dr. Durvasula called the ‘classic narcissist’ was the first one she talked about.
This is the “preening, arrogant, pretentious, attention-seeking, look-at-me but kind of fun” type of person. These could be people who take the stage so everyone can see them.
Next is the vulnerable narcissist
This second kind is opposite to the first one in that they tend to be “sullen, resentful, victimized, aggrieved and passive-aggressive” people.
They often pity themselves, require people to give them attention, and feel sorry for them.
She said this type is a “failure to launch”
Dr. Durvasula explained that a vulnerable narcissist is someone who could constantly talk about how they would have been able to achieve something if others hadn’t got there first.
They tend to want people to think they need to be saved.
They also get aggravated easily
Dr. Durvasula also added that vulnerable narcissists get angry when things don’t work out the way they wanted them to, even if they didn’t put in the effort for it.
They could often feel vengeful towards others without a real reason.
Third is the communal narcissist
The psychology professor then went on to describe the communal narcissist, one who seeks out validation from others a lot more than other types of narcissists do.
They tend to want to be “perceived as do-gooders, as saviors,” she says.
This type does charity work for validation
Dr. Durvasula added that communal narcissists feel the need to be praised by a crowd for their good work and could perform charitable acts for validation, not commitment to the cause.
She said this type could become “cult leaders” if they stumble across enough people who praise them.
Fourth is the self-righteous narcissist
The next type is someone who aims to be seen as an example of success to other people.
A self-righteous narcissist may not be someone we automatically identify as such, but they are often “hyper moral” as Dr. Durvasula states.
The intense morality comes with judgment
Dr. Durvasula explained that while they often have an obsession with rules, self-righteous narcissists are also often cold and judgmental to others in order to be a difficult example to look up to.
They also often shame people and blame their misfortune on others.
The fifth type is the neglectful narcissist
This one is the type of narcissist who rarely cares about anyone for any reason other than being useful tools to them.
Dr. Durvasula explained that a neglectful narcissist sees everyone as an instrument and is often uninterested in intimacy.
Last is the malignant narcissist
A malignant narcissist, she explained, is someone who is on the most severe end of narcissism. They often have all the qualities of a narcissist but are more severely exploitative, manipulative, and self-isolating than others.
Lastly, she added, “Malignant narcissism is the last stop on the train before psychopathy.”
