There are no official subtypes of NPD.

If you are diagnosed with NPD, you are diagnosed with NPD, full stop. The current diagnostic manual used by clinicians in the U.S., the DSM-5, does not divide NPD into different subtypes. Unlike other conditions such as ADHD (which has inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types), or depression (which may include specifiers like melancholic or atypical), NPD is diagnosed as a single personality disorder category.

What this means is that while people with NPD may present very differently from one another, the diagnosis itself does not come with an official “type” attached. You won’t be formally diagnosed with “grandiose NPD” or “covert NPD.” These are not medical labels. They are theoretical constructs.

That said, the differences people observe in how narcissistic traits show up are real — and researchers have spent decades trying to better describe these patterns. Two common frameworks used in research and clinical discussion are grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism.

Grandiose Narcissism - Grandiose narcissism is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, high self-esteem, and a strong desire for admiration. Individuals with this form often exhibit extraversion, assertiveness, and confidence. They may appear charming and charismatic, seeking leadership roles and public recognition. However, their self-perception can lead to exploitative behaviors and a disregard for others’ feelings.

Vulnerable Narcissism - In contrast, vulnerable narcissism involves hypersensitivity, defensiveness, and a fragile self-image. Individuals may display introversion, anxiety, and a constant need for reassurance. They are often preoccupied with fears of rejection and may withdraw socially to protect their self-esteem. Despite their outward modesty, they harbor feelings of entitlement and may react with hostility when they perceive criticism or neglect.

While these can seem like two opposite ends of a spectrum, most people do not exist at just one pole. In fact, individuals with narcissistic traits — or even full-blown NPD — often move between grandiose and vulnerable states depending on the situation, who they’re interacting with, or whether their self-esteem feels secure or threatened. One may dominate more often, but the other is often lurking just under the surface.

More recent research has also identified a form of narcissism called “communal narcissism.” This form of narcissism has been studied outside of the concept of NPD but rather people with subclinical* or pathological narcissistic traits, but not full NPD.

Communal narcissism is a form of narcissism where individuals seek validation, admiration and control through displays of altruism, morality, or community involvement. Also known as “Agentic communal narcissism”, it is a type of narcissistic personality trait that involves an exaggerated sense of self-importance and a desire for power and control, combined with a strong focus on communal or group values and goals.

Unlike the classic image of narcissists as overtly self-centered or status-driven, communal narcissists present themselves as exceptionally caring, helpful, and morally superior. Individuals with this trait may see themselves as leaders and strive for positions of power and influence within their communities or groups. They may also prioritize the interests and goals of their group over those of the individual and place a strong emphasis on maintaining group harmony and cohesion. However, their prosocial behavior is often motivated by a desire for recognition and self-enhancement rather than genuine concern for others or authentic investment into the values of the group.

Agentic communal narcissism is thought to be distinct from other types of narcissistic traits, such as grandiose or vulnerable narcissism, which may involve more self-centered or self-protective behaviors. It is also different from communal traits, which may involve a focus on group values and goals without an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

Studies have shown that communal narcissists often overestimate their contributions to group efforts and may become resentful when their “selfless” acts are not adequately recognized. This form of narcissism is considered subclinical, meaning it doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) but can still lead to interpersonal difficulties and emotional distress.

Communal Narcissism Key Characteristics
• Inflated Self-Perception in Altruism: Communal narcissists view themselves as the most helpful, empathetic, or morally upright individuals within a group or community.
• Desire for Admiration: They seek acknowledgment and praise for their perceived selflessness and contributions to others.
• Use of Social Causes for Self-Enhancement: Engagement in charitable activities or social justice causes may serve more as a platform for personal validation than as an end in itself.
• Superficial Empathy: While they may appear deeply empathetic, their concern for others often lacks depth and is contingent on receiving recognition, gaining favors or other transactional motivations.

Research on agentic communal narcissism is still in its early stages, and more research is needed to fully understand this trait and its effects on behavior and social interactions. However, it is thought to be related to leadership and group dynamics, and it may have both positive and negative impacts on group functioning and performance.

One of the most widespread misconceptions — especially online — is the idea that “grandiose = overt” and “vulnerable = covert.” This conflation is not supported by clinical research and creates a lot of confusion.

Overt and covert are not subtypes. They are modes of expression — ways of describing whether certain behaviors, thoughts, or motivations are visible and consciously expressed (overt) or hidden, masked, or even unconscious (covert).

These are terms used throughout psychology to describe how traits are expressed, not what they are. Everyone — not just people with NPD — has both covert and overt elements to their behavior.

For example:
• A grandiose narcissist might openly brag about their superiority (overt) or subtly manipulate others while appearing humble (covert).
• A vulnerable narcissist might sulk quietly and withdraw (covert), or lash out dramatically when feeling abandoned (overt).

So yes — vulnerable narcissism can be expressed overtly, and grandiose narcissism can absolutely be expressed covertly.

This confusion between subtype and expression leads to shallow, misleading assumptions. It reduces the complexity of human behavior to categories that sound clean, but aren’t clinically accurate.

What we’re working with here is not a rigid set of types, but a dimensional model of narcissism. Traits like entitlement, shame sensitivity, emotional detachment, idealization, or devaluation can be blended in different ways, at different times, depending on stress, relational dynamics, trauma history, or masking strategies.

Someone might present mostly grandiose in professional settings but swing toward vulnerability in intimate relationships. Another person might mask grandiosity entirely and show only anxious, self-deprecating behavior, while still holding deep fantasies of superiority and revenge.

The takeaway is this: personality patterns are fluid, not fixed, and the more we cling to simplistic subtype labels, the more we miss the nuance required for actual recovery, growth, and insight.

On this site, we do not use “covert narcissist” or “overt narcissist” as categories. We do refer to grandiose, vulnerable and communal narcissism — but only as frameworks for understanding, not as formal diagnoses or “types of narcissists.”

Figuring out different aspects of narcissism you identify with can be helpful in tailoring your personal goals in recovery or self improvement. It is important, however, not to overly identify with “subtypes” or labels in general. Overly identifying with labels is another form of avoidance, another way to distract from actually doing the work needed to improve areas you’ve targeted as problematic.