The complex nature of narcissism, highlighting the ongoing debate among psychologists about whether grandiosity always conceals vulnerability. Drawing from both personal anecdotes and clinical insights, the article illustrates the varying manifestations of narcissistic personality disorder and explores the intertwining of grandiosity and vulnerability in individuals. Moreover, advances in brain science are beginning to shed light on this intricate condition.
  

Key Points: 

1. Narcissism manifests diversely: narcissists can be grandiose or self-loathing, extraverted or socially isolated, and their behavior can range from being model citizens to engaging in antisocial activities.
2. While many psychologists argue that grandiosity and vulnerability coexist in a narcissist, others believe these traits don’t always overlap. The debate remains unresolved partly because those high in grandiosity are less likely to seek therapy.
3. The disorder comes in both “grandiose” and “vulnerable” forms. Individuals with the latter suffer from internal distress and fluctuating self-esteem. Both types, however, are marked by an intense preoccupation with the self.
4. Modern understanding of narcissism is grounded in both historical and contemporary perspectives, with researchers like Heinz Kohut and Otto Kernberg developing the “mask model” suggesting grandiosity masks feelings of insecurity.
5. Recent studies have linked both dimensions of narcissism to antagonism, with grandiosity being associated with assertiveness and attention-seeking, while vulnerability is often tied to anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness.

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-narcissism-science-confronts-a-widely-misunderstood-phenomenon/