what is a covert narcissist

A covert narcissist is a person who has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) but does not display a sense of self-importance often associated with narcissism. They may deal with insecurity and low self-esteem. Covert narcissism is the more introverted side of NPD, and the difference between overt and covert narcissism is all in how a person shows up and how they behave. While overt narcissists are loud, aggressive, and very big in their presentation, covert narcissists are people who fly under the radar and are often perceived as more introverted, self-conscious, and insecure. Covert narcissists often use several tactics to gain control over others in a relationship, including gaslighting, manipulation, passive-aggressive behavior, and intimidation.