The 9 types of narcissism, and how to easily recognize them

Having good self-esteem is important in many aspects of our lives. This factor makes it easier for us to get involved in important projects capable of leading us to improve our quality of life, it makes it easier for us things when it comes to socializing, and it contributes so that the crises and small defeats of the day to day do not sink us completely emotionally.

However, like practically any psychological factor linked to personality, an excess of self-esteem can cause problems... both for oneself and for those around him. When these high levels of self-love turn into narcissism, everything changes.

In this article we will see what are the different types of narcissism and in what way they can be expressed in the behavior of a person.

• Related article: "Narcissistic Personality Disorder: What Are Narcissistic People Like?"

The different types of narcissism (and how to spot them)

We could define narcissism as a psychological predisposition to obtain recognition from others in the form of expressly positive evaluations or indirectly, with a particularly respectful treatment mixed with the admiration.

In addition, narcissistic people are characterized by fulfilling other traits that are in line with that expansive self-esteem: grandiose ideas about oneself, the predisposition to underestimate other people, and the difficulties when it comes to empathizing, among other things.

It is an element of personality that can be present in different degrees of intensity, so that the more extreme it is, the more likely it is to fall into one of the groups of symptoms of a disorder mental. However, not all people with a high level of narcissism have a mental disorder that significantly damages their quality of life.

But just as we can find differences in the degrees of intensity of this mental phenomenonIt is also possible to recognize some qualitative differences in the ways in which narcissism is expressed. Specifically, Dr. Bruce Stevens offers a classification of types of narcissism that can help us better understand all the nuances of this element of the personality.

1. Dependent

In this case we are not talking about the stereotype of a person delighted to have met herself, very happy with who she is and what she can achieve. Unlike; this type of narcissism is characterized by the desperation with which validation is sought from others.

Thus, these people combine a certain very subtle feeling of superiority, on the one hand, with the realization that this superiority cannot be put into practice, and therefore special treatment is needed to compensate for that situation. Their desire to obtain approval from others makes them obsessive.

2. Powerful

It is a type of narcissism focused on demonstrations of power, that is, imposing your will on others. Who presents it, enjoys subduing those around him.

3. Fanciful

These types of narcissists isolate themselves in an imaginary world in which their feelings of greatness correspond to how they see themselves. The tendency to fantasize is thus a way to resolve the inconsistency to feel special at the same time that they believe they are mediocre in their concrete way of behaving on a day-to-day basis.

4. Centered on the body

This is one of the types of narcissism in which more importance is given to the image projected before others. In particular, all the attention is focused on the appreciation of the body itself, and the way in which corresponds to certain canons of beauty.

Of course, this appreciation for aesthetics is also reflected in the need to receive compliments and compliments on a regular basis.

5. Trickster

This category includes people who feel good about themselves by feeling skilled when trying to deceive others in exchange for personal gain. It is a type of narcissism that has a lot in common with typical traits. psychopathic.

6. Lover

It is a type of narcissism oriented towards life as a couple and love. In this case, unreasonable expectations about what the relationship should be with another person makes it very easy to get into crisis.

The love bond is idealizedSince it is argued that one's own is a special love, and that is why, when problems appear, a constructive mentality is not adopted before them.

• You may be interested: "12 tips to better manage couple arguments"

7. savior

The person sees himself as someone capable of transforming lives and, specifically, of educating other people to fit into a way of being that matches one's personality.

8. Furious

In this case, the person has a very low frustration threshold when he detects that he has been disrespected or that he has not been treated with due diligence. As a result, unwarranted outbursts of anger are frequent.

His social life is usually very eventful because any situation of ambiguity can lead to problems.

9. Martyr

The ideas of grandeur in this case focus on the idea that one is more worthy than normal because he suffers and because he sacrifices himself.