Healthy narcissists exhibit self-confidence, empathy, and an objective view of their talents and accomplishments. Unlike typical narcissists, those with healthy narcissism do not exploit others to fulfill their needs, and possessing traits associated with this can actually be helpful.
Signs of healthy narcissism
ability to draw healthy boundaries. assertive communication. drawing on your positive qualities to form relationships. positive feelings about yourself.
Kind narcissistic behavior often looks like the following: not doing one's share of housework, insisting that their work responsibilities always take precedence over yours, resistance to spending time with people or activities that are more important to you than to them, and reluctance to spend money on things ...
Mild: A mildly narcissistic person might be egotistical or boastful about their accomplishments but still function well in society.
Covert narcissism is also known as shy, vulnerable, or closet narcissism. People with this subtype tend not to outwardly demonstrate arrogance or entitlement. Instead, they might put themselves down and seem anxious about what others think of them, rather than exuding charm or confidence.
It's normal and can even be a healthy personality trait, if it's mild and occasional. It's perfectly possible to feel or act a little narcissistic, even unpleasantly so, without having a disorder.
"A person with healthy narcissism will feel proud of their accomplishments and will want to share those accomplishments with others because it makes them feel good. Healthy narcissism is also the ability to feel a sense of entitlement and knowing that you belong in certain spaces and deserve good things.
Some level of narcissism is normal and even healthy and adaptive, he says. It's only when your narcissistic tendencies become a life-disrupting constant that you veer into the territory of a bona-fide mental health condition known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Even if you've been in a relationship with someone for years, their covert narcissism may be so subtle that you're not even aware of it for a very long time.” That's what makes covert narcissism a little more dangerous and a little more difficult to manage.
Grandiose sense of self-importance
Grandiosity is the defining characteristic of narcissism. More than just arrogance or vanity, grandiosity is an unrealistic sense of superiority. Narcissists believe they are unique or “special” and can only be understood by other special people.
Based on overlapping symptoms, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are often mistaken for one another.
Normal narcissism refers to a well-integrated sense of self that is generally for the greater good, such as a healthy sense of pride in oneself and one's accomplishments. Pathological narcissism describes extreme fluctuations between feelings of inferiority and failure with a sense of superiority and grandiosity.
Not every narcissist has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), as narcissism is a spectrum. People who are at the highest end of the spectrum are those that are classified as NPD, but others, still with narcissistic traits, may fall on the lower end of the narcissistic spectrum.
Extremely selfish. Unable to deal with criticism, perceived slights, or disagreements. Hypersensitive, defensive, and anxious. Not settling for anything less than what you think you deserve.
In narcissists' efforts to avoid blame, they often combine several fake apologies at once, such as, “I am sorry if I said anything to offend you, but I have strong opinions. Maybe you're too sensitive,” or, “I guess I should tell you I am sorry. But you know I would never deliberately hurt you.
The capacity to feel and express genuine gratitude is a hallmark of psychological maturity and health. In fact, an inability to say thank you, along with extreme difficulties saying sorry, is considered typical of people with narcissistic personalities.
Cerebral Narcissist Traits
They hyperfocus on intellectual topics and go to great lengths to ensure others view them as the “smartest” in the room.
While narcissists are not always dangerous, some can become violent when triggered and angered. Depending on the severity of their disorder, they may use manipulation or even physical abuse to maintain control over a situation.
Sometimes, though, it's worth going a little deeper, as Doctor Ramani does in a recent YouTube video outlining the concept of “low-grade narcissism.” As she describes it, the low-grade narcissist probably sounds familiar: Someone you experience as superficial, attention-seeking, shallow, or immature.
Healthy Pride in Abilities & Accomplishments
Taking pride in the work that you do or the talents you possess is an important aspect of healthy narcissism. While unhealthy narcissists are overly boastful about even their minor accomplishments, it is not wrong to show appropriate levels of pride in what you've achieved.
Humble narcissists bring the best of both worlds: they have bold visions, but they're also willing to acknowledge their weaknesses and learn from their mistakes. Humble narcissists have grand ambitions, but they don't feel entitled to them. They don't deny their weaknesses; they work to overcome them.