The Narcissistic Abuse & Trauma Recovery Podcast – 10 Signs Of A Covert Narcissist

Intro

The Narcissistic Abuse and Trauma Recovery Podcast aims to provide awareness, understanding, and education about the effects of narcissistic abuse. Host Caroline Strossen shares her personal experience with narcissistic abuse and how she has dedicated her life to helping others in the same situation. The podcast covers a range of topics related to narcissistic abuse, including covert narcissism, which generates a lot of interest from listeners. Despite the taboo nature of the topic, the podcast aims to provide a safe space for discussing sensitive issues related to narcissistic abuse.

Main Takeaways

Signs of a Covert Narcissist

• Covert narcissists can be hard to spot because they may appear shy and introverted.
• They may respond to criticism with dismissive or sarcastic remarks to hide their feelings of emptiness and humiliation.
• Passive-aggressive behavior is a common trait of covert narcissists.
• They may put themselves down in a covert way as a means of earning compliments and boosting their self-esteem.
• Covert narcissism is strongly linked to introversion.
• Covert narcissists are deeply insecure and afraid of others seeing their feelings.
• They have grandiose fantasies and spend more time thinking about their abilities than talking about them.
• Covert narcissists have a high risk of depression and anxiety.
• They have a tendency to hold grudges and seek revenge if they feel treated unfairly.
• Covert narcissists are good at faking empathy to get their needs met externally, but it is usually self-serving.

Summary

Understanding Covert Narcissism

Covert narcissists can be challenging to identify because they often present themselves as shy and introverted. They may use dismissive or sarcastic remarks to deflect criticism and protect their fragile self-esteem. Passive-aggressive behavior is a common trait, as they may subtly sabotage others or put them down to feel superior. Interestingly, covert narcissists may put themselves down covertly to receive compliments and boost their self-esteem. This type of narcissism is strongly associated with introversion, and individuals with covert narcissism may seek attention from others to validate their self-worth. However, beneath their facade, covert narcissists are deeply insecure and afraid of others seeing their true emotions. They harbor grandiose fantasies and spend more time fantasizing about their abilities rather than actively pursuing them. This can lead to a higher risk of depression and anxiety, as they struggle with unattainable perfectionist ideals. Additionally, covert narcissists tend to hold grudges and seek revenge if they feel treated unfairly. While they may appear empathetic, their empathy is often self-serving and used to manipulate others. Victim mentality is another tactic employed by covert narcissists to seek attention and sympathy from others. It is crucial to track and observe the behavior of individuals suspected to be covert narcissists, as their actions may be subtle and not immediately apparent. However, it is important to remember that recovery from narcissistic abuse is possible, and individuals are not alone in their experiences.

Conclusion

The Narcissistic Abuse and Trauma Recovery Podcast sheds light on the effects of narcissistic abuse and provides a safe space for discussing sensitive topics. In this episode, Caroline Strossen explores the signs of covert narcissism, highlighting the challenges of identifying these individuals. By understanding covert narcissism, listeners can better recognize and protect themselves from the manipulative tactics employed by covert narcissists. Recovery from narcissistic abuse is possible, and seeking support and education is a crucial step towards healing.