Introverts vs. Covert Narcissists: Key Differences

A normal introvert and a covert narcissist differ in many important ways as follows:

Stated another way, it is the difference between day and night.

Spending time alone or by restricting their contacts with people to those they feel most comfortable helps introverts replenish their internal “batteries.”

An introvert may feel “subsumed” or overwhelmed when they spend much time with friends or strangers. Your situation is roughly like that of being on a little raft in the middle of the ocean and having a rogue wave approach threatening to carry you away into the deep dark depths.

Maintaining their public image for long stretches of time might be difficult for introverts. You should know that everyone of us has a public face that is the necessary lubricant for social contacts. Things like politeness, decorum, and showing interest in other people regardless of what they are saying quickly exhaust an introvert. Perhaps they like people in shorter bursts than others, not that they dislike people. They can do it, but they find it to be rather taxing.

Under theory, covert narcissists also fit introverts.

Steer clear of inadvertently confusing introverts with hidden narcotics.