We all should be. Malignant narcissism is an especially lethal combination of two very dangerous Cluster B personality disorders wrapped into one – narcissistic (NPD) and antisocial (ASPD) personality disorders – with just a hint of psychopathy sprinkled in. Cluster B personality disorders include antisocial, narcissistic, histrionic, and borderline disorders, which are all characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior.
Consider the very term malignant – the opposite of benign and often associated with cancerous symptoms. Benign means “not harmful”. Malignant is “extremely harmful, even fatal.” Malignant narcissists, having a special combination of two of the most severe Cluster B components coupled with psychopathic traits, are capable of doing extensive damage to their colleagues, acquaintances, loved ones and to society in general.
Those with NPD tend to present as either grandiose or vulnerable. Some label these differing presentations at overt/covert or cerebral/somatic. The grandiose narcissist is blatantly conceded and much easier to spot than his counterpart. Malignant narcissists present as vulnerable. They tend to initially establish what appear to be genuine, normal connections with people. People want to help them. They want these “vulnerable” individuals to be capable of lifting whatever weight they claim to carry. However, the mind of a malignant narcissist is not normal, and therefore, normalcy in the companionship is never anticipated from the malignant’s perspective.
Biologically Impaired
Those with NPD and ASPD lack the necessary brain capacity to feel empathy. Science has literally proven that individuals with these disorders are deficient in the area of the brain responsible for generating empathetic feelings. The malignant narcissist, having both Cluster B disorders, is especially unempathetic. They have some of the neurobiological impairments of psychopathy. They see relationships with people the same as they view relationships with anything else in their environment – very black and white. Individuals and things are good or bad, intelligent or ignorant, beneficial or detrimental. There is no room for gray area in a malignant’s physical makeup. Therefore, this narcissist will just as soon discard a seemingly important long-term relationship the same as he would discard a broken oven. Both are sharing the narcissist’s space solely to serve, and once they can no longer do so, they are deemed worthless.
But, malignants don’t just discard. They utilize their pathological traits to the fullest extent before letting go. Malignant narcissism is also characterized as a deadly combination of aggression, antisocial behavior and suspiciousness all the while presenting as vulnerable and in need of others’ approval. Therefore, these individuals lie with the capability of a seasoned actor. When presented with evidence to the contrary, no matter how clear and convincing, they are likely to challenge it rather than accept it. If its irrefutability is so profound that the challenge is sure to lose, the narcissist will reply with an emotionless “fair enough” or some phrase similar while his opposition may be extremely drained and defeated from battling.
Later, the opposition will get what’s coming to them, and whatever the narcissist cooks up will completely destroy this person. The malignant will not give up until he or she feels satisfied that their opposition has been beaten to a pulp physically, mentally and/or emotionally. If the opposition has been in the malignant’s intimate space for any length of time, he or she has likely been studying the every move of this person for days, months or even years, dissecting them inside and out, to determine how best to ultimately destroy them.
Malignants are dangerous because they are both initially unassuming and always inherently egocentric. They have all of the traits of any other pathological narcissist, only the symptoms are made worse by the interwoven antisocial behavior. It’s easy to say steer clear of the malignant. But, unfortunately, we usually don’t realize they’re in our presence until it’s too late.