The Insecure Narcissist

An insecure narcissist is someone who seeks admiration and validation but has underlying feelings of low self-esteem and vulnerability. They often crave attention to boost their fragile self-image, yet they may react defensively or become upset if they feel unappreciated or criticized. Their behavior is driven by a desire to appear confident and superior, but internally, they struggle with doubts and insecurity. This combination can lead to inconsistency—appearing self-assured on the surface but feeling insecure underneath—and may result in volatile or hypersensitive reactions to perceived threats or rejection.