Note: I’m not a mental health professional. All information in this post is from various online sources. They may not all reflect what you or someone you know is going through. If you need to, please seek professional help.
Mental health is a hot topic. Everyone has had an experience of mental illness, personality disorders or is close to someone who has.
In the past few years, everyone has adopted ‘psychology speak’. Words like ‘gaslighting’ are commonly used. Unfortunately, it’s often used incorrectly.
Back in May this year, I called out YouTubers for flippantly ‘diagnosing’ other content creators with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is a serious and complex mental illness. As I stated, people suffering from BPD face a range of serious symptoms, such as suicidal ideation, turbulent relationships, and in some cases, addiction.
Now, a respected Australian osychiatrist begs people to stop misusing the term ‘narcissist’.
What is narcissism?
Headspace founder, Dr. Patrick Mcgorry raised alarm about the misuse of the word ‘narcissist’. He told the Herald Sun:
There has been has [sic] a tendency to label and even demonise people with narcissistic traits, yet with poor understanding of the complexity of narcissism as a psychiatric and a psychoanalytic concept.
(‘Patrick Mcgorry: We need to stop using narcissist as a catch-all insult’, Herald Sun, May 13 2025)
Dr. Mcgorry went on to explain different types of narcissism: grandiose (also called overt), and vulnerable (also called covert) and malignant.
Types of narcissism
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a Cluster B personality disorder. The Cluster B personality disorders characterised by emotional instability, difficulty in gaining and maintaining healthy relationships and self – destructive tendencies.
Many people also believe that Cluster B personality disorders are difficult, if not impossible to treat.
Narcissistic expression tends to fall in one of three categories.
Grandiose narcissism
Grandiose is the classic, stereotypical narcissist. According to Very Well Mind, people who exhibit grandiose narcissism
…have a highly inflated sense of self – importance. They crave admiration and tend to make social situations all about them.
(‘The signs of grandiose narcissism and how to deal with it’, Arlin Cuncic MA, Reviewed by Steven Gans MD, updated 3 March 2025).
When people with NPD are grandiose, they are outgoing and charasmatic, often attracting people to them. This personslity sub – type can be helpful for a short term. However, due to their lack of empathy and low self – worth, grandiose narcissists resort to manipulating and exploiting others.
Covert/ vulnerable narcissism
Covert or vulnerable narcissists also have NPD. Unlike grandiose narcissists, vulnerable narcissists appear more emotional and approachable.
However, like overt narcissists, covert narcissists seek attention and have turbulent relationships. They are often passive – aggressive, extremely envious others and don’t own their mistakes.
Malignant narcissism
This is the most extreme and most dangerous subtype.
In their book Mind Behind the Crime, Dr. Helen McGrath and Cheryl Critchly defined malignant narcissism as comorbidity of extreme NPD and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
According to Psychology Today, the term ‘malignant narcissism’ was invented by Holocaust survivor and psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm in 1964.
Austrian – American psychoanalyst, Otto Kemberg. expanded the concept. He observed four common characteristics in malignant narcissists:
- Narcissism
- Antisocial behaviour
- Paranoia
- Sadism
In 2021, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, Jill Wise was featured on YouTube channel, MedCircle. She told Kyle Kittleson that her father was a malignant narcissist. When defining malignant narcissist, Wise emphasised it being on the worst end of the narcissistic spectrum and exhibited sadistic tendencies.
She also explained how many malignant narcissists thrive on terrorising their victims emotionally rather than through physical assaults. She explained that causing marks from assault would destroy the malignant narcissist’s public image.
Many victims of abuse from a malignant narcissist develop post – traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex post – traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
I agree with Dr. Mcgorry. We should be careful when using the term ‘narcissism’. Because it’s a real thing. It’s often destructive. And the voices of narcissistic abuse survivors shouldn’t be drowned out by misinformation.
If you’re in Australia and need emotional support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.
If you’re a victim of domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you’re in immediate danger, call 000 or your national emergency number.