A malignant narcissist is a term used to describe a person who has symptoms of both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Combined, these disorders can show up as arrogance, a need for power and recognition, and tendencies to use or exploit others for selfish reasons.1,2,3 Like most personality disorders, malignant narcissism interferes with relationships and is considered largely untreatable.2,3,4
What Is a Malignant Narcissist?
Malignant narcissism is not a formal diagnosis, but instead a common term used to describe a person with traits and symptoms of both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Also called pathological narcissists, malignant narcissists tend to have more impairments, worse relationships, and worse responses to treatment than people with classic NPD.2,4
People with narcissistic personality disorder tend to exhibit grandiose attitudes, feel superior to others, need excessive praise and validation, and respond very poorly to even the slightest criticism. People with antisocial personality disorder lack empathy, disregard the feelings and needs of others, and use and exploit others to meet their needs.5 Malignant narcissists tend to display a mix of these traits and behaviors, which keep them from forming healthy relationships.2,3,6
Malignant Narcissists vs. Psychopaths or Sociopaths
Psychopaths and sociopaths are both terms usually used to describe people with antisocial personality disorder, but who do not display symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (sociopaths and narcissists are quite different).1 While both psychopaths and sociopaths display traits of APD, malignant narcissists (also called narcissistic sociopaths) display both narcissistic and antisocial traits, and often qualify for a diagnosis of both APD and NPD.
There is also a slight difference between a sociopath and psychopath, according to some researchers who argue psychopaths have a more severe form of antisocial personality disorder than sociopaths.
The belief is that sociopaths do appear to have some sense of right and wrong, and some ability to empathize, making them less likely to commit harmful or illegal acts. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are not believed to have these abilities, meaning they have less restraint and often act aggressively and recklessly.7
Traits of Malignant Narcissism
Malignant narcissists display traits and symptoms of both antisocial and narcissistic personality disorder. While both APD and NPD are both types of personality disorders, the symptoms and traits of each disorder are different.1,5
The chart below outlines the main traits and symptoms of both antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders that occur in malignant narcissists:5
| Antisocial Traits in Malignant Narcissists | Narcissistic Traits in Malignant Narcissists |
| A pattern of violating the rights of others | Grandiose, arrogant, or acts superior |
| Breaking rules and laws | Fantasies about power/success/fame |
| Deceiving others for pleasure/personal gain | Needs excessive praise/validation |
| Impulsive decision making | Feels entitled to special treatment |
| Irritability or aggressiveness | Exploits or uses others for personal gain |
| Reckless/harmful behavior | Lacking empathy for needs of others |
| Irresponsibility/inability to function | Envious of others |
| Lack of remorse for acts that harm others | Hypersensitive to criticism |
| Can only be diagnosed in adulthood | Can be diagnosed before the age of 18 |
Combined, having both antisocial and narcissistic traits tends to lead to a very severe form of pathology.
Malignant narcissists tend to display the most severe traits of both conditions, which can be displayed in the following ways:3,6
- Being extremely arrogant and self-centered
- Disregarding the feelings and needs of other people
- Manipulating, using, or exploiting others for personal gain or pleasure
- Having an extreme need for power
- Acts of revenge against those who criticize them
- Fantasizing about ways to obtain more power or dominance over others
- Lacking conscience, regret, or remorse for their actions
- Being cruel and taking pleasure in the pain of others
- High levels of aggression towards other people
- Paranoia or mistrust of others
What Are the Signs of a Malignant Narcissist?
Malignant narcissists tend to display some of the worst traits of both APD and NPD, and often have severe dysfunctions in their personal relationships, work, and ability to function in other areas of life.3,6
Their reckless behavior, disregard for others, and inability to form lasting healthy relationships with others can make them easier to spot than people with fewer traits or more mild or ‘covert’ forms of narcissism.
Here are 10 signs of a malignant narcissist:
1. They Use, Abuse, & Discard People
One of the main signs of a malignant narcissist is their long history of using, abusing, and discarding people who are no longer useful to them. People closest to them will often see a pattern of broken relationships and friendships, as well as family members and significant others who have become useless or irrelevant to them – often very quickly after they’ve used them to fulfill a certain level of supply.
2. They Are Obsessed With Power
Malignant narcissists are often hungry for power, and obsessed with ways to get more of it. They often vie for jobs that afford them this power, and also form relationships with people who are vulnerable enough for them to exert total control over. Because they lack the ability to find power within themselves, they have an extreme need for positions of power to make them feel worthy.
3. Everything Is Personal for Them
To a malignant narcissist, everything is personal. If a friend or family member makes a joke about them, forgets to call them back, or if they are passed over for a promotion at work, they will be deeply offended and angry, triggering a narcissistic collapse.
In the narcissist’s world, there is no such thing as an innocent mistake, oversight, or other explanation for why someone does not treat them in the way they expect (and in their mind, deserve) to be treated.
4. They Hold Grudges & Take Revenge
A malignant narcissist is easily offended and when they are, their revenge can be brutal. People with this personality disorder tend to hold long grudges against anyone who has wronged or slighted them in any way.
Even disagreeing with them, giving them feedback, or questioning something they said can result in swift, anger-filled revenge. They may punish people by lashing out, ignoring them, or even cutting them off altogether.
5. They Take Pleasure From the Suffering of Others
Malignant narcissists can be cruel and even sadistic, seeming to take a sick pleasure or satisfaction in the suffering of other people. They may laugh or mock someone who is having a hard time, intentionally humiliate someone, or use personal knowledge they have against them.
Unfortunately, this also means that they can be predators who will manipulate, abuse, and exploit other people, sometimes for personal gain and sometimes just for fun.
6. Nothing Is Ever Their Fault
Narcissists (and especially malignant narcissists) usually do not take the blame for any of their words or actions, even when they’re clearly in the wrong. Instead, they tend to lash out, get defensive, and find ways to blame other people, even when they have to bend and distort the truth to do so.
7. They Are Ruthless in Their Pursuit of What They Want
Malignant narcissists will often be ruthless in their pursuit of power, wealth, success, or recognition. When they want something, there may not be any line they’re unwilling to cross to get it, even at the direct expense of other people they say they care about. They may lie, manipulate, use, or even attack or discredit other people in order to get what they want.
8. They Don’t Have a Conscience
A lack of empathy or regard for the feelings and needs of others is a symptom of both APD and NPD, and is common in malignant narcissists. People with this personality type will often have no remorse or regret for things they’ve done to harm other people.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to fake remorse in order to get what they want, but typically they will admit no wrongdoing at all and genuinely, don’t feel bad for what they’ve done.
9. They Have Many Enemies
It should come as no surprise that a malignant narcissist will have a long list of enemies, which often includes former friends, lovers, and even members of their own family. People with this personality disorder tend to make enemies easily and often because to them, even the slightest offense can cause them to discard the entire relationship.
Because relationships are only a means to an end for them, it’s fairly easy for them to break off a tie, even with someone close to them.
10. No One Will See Their Insecurities
Deep down, narcissists are extremely insecure, but a malignant narcissist will never let these insecurities show to others. Instead, they will become defensive, lashing out, shutting down, or even destroying relationships when they feel threatened or insecure. Also, they will often mask insecurities behind a facade of arrogance or grandiosity.
What Causes Malignant Narcissism?
All mental health disorders, including personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, are believed to be caused by a mix of both genetic and environmental factors, as well as personal temperament.1,2 Some research has also found that there may be some differences in the wiring and structure of the brain in people with NPD which helps to explain some of the symptoms and traits of the disorders.3
Some of the non-genetic factors that are believed to play a causal role in the development of NPD and APD include:1,2,3
- Experiencing abuse or neglect
- Being held to unrealistically high expectations as a child
- Being excessively praised or criticized as a child (or both)
- Possessing irritable, neurotic, or aggressive personality traits
- Having a low stress or frustration tolerance
- Being overly sensitive and unable to regulate emotions
- Being bullied or rejected in childhood
- Being told one is special or has extraordinary talents
- Witnessing entitled, grandiose, or narcissistic traits in a caregiver
- Seeking external validation or praise to compensate for low self-esteem
- Learning that vulnerability is a sign of weakness
- Learning that failure and mistakes are intolerable or unacceptable
- Excessive focus on status, recognition, power, and success
- Lack of self-awareness and trouble recognizing emotions in self and others
- Disrupted identity development
How to Deal With a Malignant Narcissist
Unfortunately, the traits and symptoms of malignant narcissism often directly impact other people, especially those closest to the person. When dealing with a narcissist, many people become victims of narcissistic abuse, a specific form of abuse that often involves manipulation, deceit, gaslighting, and being taken advantage of.
The consequences of this kind of ongoing abuse can be devastating, negatively impacting a person’s quality of life, self-esteem, and overall mental health. Often, it becomes necessary to distance yourself from a malignant narcissist, especially if they’ve become abusive or toxic – if you’re in a relationship, it’s probably time to break up.
If this is not an option, here are some other ways to deal with a malignant narcissist in your life:8
- Manage your expectations and don’t expect love, fairness, or loyalty from them: Malignant narcissists are incapable of true, reciprocal, healthy relationships
- Limit your interactions by keeping interactions brief, focused, and superficial: This minimizes your risk of being harmed or exploited by them
- Avoid being too vulnerable or open with them: They may use this personal information as ammunition later
- Let them talk about themselves and be supportive: Feeding their need for validation can keep them from using aggressive tactics
- Identify the tactics they use against you (i.e. praise, false affection, guilt, pity, etc.): This helps you clearly identify when they are using them against you
- Understand what they want from you and decide ahead of time if you will say yes: This helps maintain your boundaries with them, even when they try to overstep
- Understand and avoid their triggers/insecurities: Causing a narcissistic injury can make you their target
- Practice self-care and use your support system: This protects against the negative psychological effects of narcissistic abuse
Can Malignant Narcissism Be Treated?
Malignant narcissists rarely seek treatment and even when they do, their defenses often make them resistant to treatment.2,3,4 Honest self-reflection that comes with therapy often involves introspection that can uncover flaws, mistakes, and insecurities that malignant narcissists are unable to deal with.
Still, there are some exceptions, and those who do seek help for this problem often have some degree of self-awareness and also a willingness to change, which can both make treatment more effective. The best step to seeking help for NPD is to reach out to a therapist, and to work on finding a therapist who is knowledgeable and experienced in helping people with this personality disorder.
For Further Reading
- Best Books on Narcissism
- National Domestic Violence Hotline article on relationships with narcissists
- Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory
- MentalHealth.gov
Malignant Narcissist Infographic
