 Have you ever heard of the term covert narcissist? Maybe you're wondering how a narcissist can be covert. In the world of clinical psychology, someone who has been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, NPD, is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a deep-seated need for praise and attention, and a lack of empathy for others. Covert narcissism, or otherwise known as shy, vulnerable, or secret narcissism, is a subtype of narcissism that is often harder to spot because of its less pronounced features and behaviors. People who are secret narcissists are not as outwardly arrogant, entitled, or self-centered as other narcissists, and instead of being charming and manipulative, they may be more anxious, reserved, and sensitive. Psych2Go is on a mission to make mental wellness and psychology more accessible to the world. Be sure to leave a question in the comments and we'll try to reply back. Okay, without further ado. Here are seven warning signs you need to look out for that tell you if someone is secretly a narcissist. Number one, they're very sensitive to criticism. Have you ever offered someone some suggestions and they took them personally? Narcissists have a grandiose self-image. They think of themselves as the best at everything they do and practically perfect in every sense of the word. And it's because they think so highly of themselves that it stings so much for them to ever be criticized, even over the littlest things. They will feel as if you've insulted them in the worst way possible. Narcissists take everything personally, so to them, even the most constructive feedback can feel like a harsh humiliation. Number two, they don't take no for an answer. Oh, come on, would it really be so bad? What do you have to lose? Do they say it with a smile and a nudge until you give in? Another defining trait narcissists share is the relentless need to always have their way and get what they want. And though a covert narcissist may try to act more polite or friendly about it, they never take no for an answer. They don't care what reasons you have for saying no, whether it inconveniences you or makes you uncomfortable because the truth is, narcissists only care about themselves. So they don't bother trying to consider other people's thoughts or feelings. Number three, their motivation is always for self-gain. Have you ever met someone who only makes friends with people they can benefit from? They don't ever do anything if there isn't something in it for them. They may help you out if you offer them a reward or act kind and sympathetic if they think it'll help them gain praise from others. But at the end of the day, they don't really do anything for anyone but themselves. Covert narcissists may pretend to empathize with you as they listen, acting like they care about you and your problems, but unless your conversation is about them, they will most likely just tune you out and wait for their turn to talk. Number four, they act passive-aggressively. Narcissists are masters of emotional manipulation, especially those trying hard to appear as though they're not. Covert narcissists tend to have a lot of passive-aggressive behaviors to conceal their more undesirable nature to others. Common examples include subtly blaming others for their mistakes by saying if only someone had known what to do. They may be hurtful jokes that are half-met, like, what, it was just a joke. Also, giving backhanded compliments like, they only like you because you're pretty. Number five, they are easily envious of others. Narcissists are constantly comparing themselves to others because they're obsessed with being the best and want to feel superior to everyone else. And when they feel someone has outdone them in some way or has something that they lack, they often become bitter, resentful, and envious of the other person. And though a covert narcissist may never express such feelings out loud to others, you can tell by the way they never seem happy for anyone else's success. Number six, they tend to hold a lot of grudges. They always have to have the last word, period. Someone who is secretly a narcissist may hold grudges for a long time, even against their closest family and friends. This is because when they feel like someone has treated them unfairly or hurt their feelings in some way, they have trouble letting their anger go. They're spiteful and vindictive, often in the most cunning of ways, and simply wait for an opportunity to exact revenge on the people they feel have wronged them. They always want everyone to side with them in an argument, then look for ways to turn other people against their enemies by spreading rumors about them or ruining their image. And number seven, they have difficulty with empathy. Are they there for you, even if there's nothing in it for them? Are they a true friend to you? Or do they simply see you as a means to an end? The trick to spotting a covert narcissist lies in looking at their actions instead of their words. Covert narcissists are trying to hide a callous lack of empathy for others. They're very good at tricking people into thinking that they care, with their fake laughs and empty words and insincere apologies. Of course, it's important to always keep in mind that only qualified mental health care professionals can diagnose someone with a psychological condition such as narcissism. But if you've noticed these traits and characteristics in a friend or family member, encourage them to seek help from a therapist and consider counseling for yourself as well. Knowing the signs that someone may be a narcissist can help you look up for problematic behaviors, relationship dynamics, and even abuse of any kind from this person later on down the line. We hope we were able to give you insight into when you're dealing with a covert narcissist. Can you think of any other signs? Leave a comment down below. Please feel free to share any thoughts you have as well. If you found this video helpful, be sure to hit the like button and share it with those out there unaware of this covert side. Don't forget to subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification bell for more new videos. Thanks so much for watching.