Most of them have an extremely high opinion of themselves, so it seems almost unbelievable that a narcissist would engage in self-harm … However, sometimes narcissism manifests itself in atypical forms, and people of this type can hurt themselves, for example, as a means of manipulation, experts say.
What is narcissistic personality disorder and how is it related to self-harm? Here are its main symptoms:
- heightened self-esteem
- inadequate ideas about one’s own importance and exclusivity
- constant need for admiration from others
- inability to empathize (empathy)
These symptoms are characteristic of the most common type of narcissism – “overt”. However, there is another variety of narcissists – “hidden” (such narcissism is also called “vulnerable”).
Unlike the “typical” narcissists, they suffer from low self-esteem, are afraid of criticism, are prone to shame, and have poor control over their emotions. A vulnerable narcissist may at first glance appear to be a quiet and withdrawn person. But at the same time, his behavior is clearly neurotic and he requires constant attention.
“It often seems to such people that the whole world is against them, and in any situation they try to present themselves as innocent victims. Not surprisingly, they are much more prone to depression and engage in self-harm more often than “overt” narcissists,” explains coach Martina Halas.
Both “hidden” and “overt” narcissists often view any criticism as a personal insult. In many ways, this is why they are prone to risky, self-destructive behavior and often suffer from various types of addiction and mood disorders.
Research Shows It’s Vulnerable Narcissists Who May Self-Harm
“Many (especially those who are not aware of the existence of a “hidden” form of narcissism) think that the narcissist, with his inflated conceit and self-love, will never knowingly harm himself. In most cases, this is true, but there are exceptions,” notes Halas.
Research shows that it is vulnerable narcissists who may resort to self-harm (cutting, burning, etc.) because of low self-esteem and tormented feelings of guilt and shame. However, suicide attempts are made by representatives of both types.
However, in some cases, “overt” narcissists may harm themselves (usually this is an impulsive act, they do not do this regularly) for the purpose of manipulation. Their motivation is very different from the “typical” cases of self-harm (most often it is not done in order to attract attention, but in an attempt to distract from excruciating mental pain with the help of physical pain).
It’s worth remembering that narcissism often co-occurs with other disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. And people who suffer from it are especially prone to various types of self-harm.