Understanding communal narcissism

Imagine a person who seems kind, caring, and quick to lend a helping hand. Their everyday actions indicate that they are selfless and community minded. 

But despite these positive appearances, this person will also treat people like servants or objects. They’re known to lie to cover up anything they might have done wrong. They believe they are always right, react poorly to feedback, and are completely intolerant of anyone who challenges them. They may also insist on being the center of attention.

In this scenario, you might be dealing with a person who has a specific category of narcissistic traits called communal narcissism.

What is communal narcissism?

Communal narcissistic personality disorder is not an officially recognized mental health condition. However, communal narcissism is a category of narcissistic traits, and the term can help us better describe and help the people who show them. 

At its core, communal narcissism involves a desire to be perceived as altruistic. However, unlike those who truly want to help others, people with communal narcissism are driven by selfishness. Their self-sacrificing behavior is designed to produce admiration and a sense of superiority. 

Unlike other types of narcissism that cause obvious exploitative, self-serving behavior, communal narcissism can be harder to detect. This is because, at first glance, people with communal narcissism can appear hardworking, devoted, and charitable. But typically, these “positive” traits don’t show up consistently. 

For example, say you have a coworker who constantly talks about their commitment to your company’s mission. When they’re in front of your boss, they’re the first to volunteer to work late or take on extra assignments. They describe themselves as a “team player” and appear devoted to other people’s well-being. 

But at the same time, they often take credit for other people’s contributions while also blaming them for anything that went wrong or shaming them for their poor performance. Or they become angry if someone else receives praise and believe they should get all the credit. These actions show that they don’t truly have their colleagues’ best interests at heart. Instead, they’re motivated by a desire for power, control, and a sense of superiority. 

Signs and symptoms of communal narcissism

Communal narcissism can take many forms. But most people who live with this form of narcissism tend to show many of the following traits:

• They have a grandiose sense of superiority based on a false sense of altruism.
• They believe they deserve constant attention and admiration because of their “saintly” behavior.
• They take advantage of people in communal settings, like workplaces or volunteer organizations.
• They engage in emotional manipulation and sympathy-seeking behaviors.
• They demonstrate surface-level benevolence and warmth to conceal their desire for power and control.
• They show a disconnect between their community-minded self-image and their actual behavior.
• They have an unrealistic view of their own importance.
• They believe they’re entitled to whatever they desire because of their “selfless” or “good” behavior.

What causes communal narcissism?

There are a variety of factors that can cause communal narcissism, and more research is needed to better understand this presentation of symptoms. Also, someone can have narcissistic tendencies without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). That said, people living with NPD typically have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Genetics: There appears to be a genetic basis for mental health conditions like NPD. So if you have a close relative (like a sibling or parent) with NPD, you might be more likely to develop it.
• Environment: Growing up in a home where your parents or other caregivers frequently exhibited narcissistic traits may also increase your risk. This is because children often repeat behaviors they observe.
• Parental relationships: Overly permissive parenting, or its opposite, “helicopter parenting” may contribute to NPD. When parents fail to set appropriate boundaries or to issue consequences for misbehavior, their children may grow up to believe that everyone they encounter in adulthood will indulge them in the same way.
• Trauma: Some research points to NPD and some other personality disorders and mental health conditions a maladaptive (unhealthy) response to childhood trauma.
• Individualism: Different cultures view collectivism in different ways. Cultures that prioritize the importance of individuality over the common good may see higher rates of narcissism within their population.

It’s important to note that mental health conditions are the result of many nuanced influences. Having one or more of these factors present in your life does not necessarily mean you’ll develop narcissism. However, if you or someone you care about is demonstrating narcissistic traits, know that help is available.

Effective treatment options for communal narcissism

Narcissism in all forms can be challenging to treat. This is because most people with narcissism don’t see their behavior as problematic. They truly believe in their specialness and superiority, and they typically struggle to feel empathy for others. 

That said, the most common form of treatment for narcissists is therapy. While there is no cure for this condition, it can be managed with the right support. Please note that there are no medications approved for treating narcissistic personality disorder. However, medications may be helpful for people who have co-occurring conditions, like depression or anxiety.

Therapy can help people with NPD develop a healthier self-image, take responsibility for their behavior, and improve their relationships. It can also help them regulate their emotions, develop new coping skills, and become more aware of how their condition impacts their lives. 

Therapists who specialize in treating narcissistic personality disorder often use a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people identify and replace unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs. For a person living with narcissistic personality disorder, this can mean interrupting dysfunctional cycles and changing the way they respond to others.

Find care with Rula

Narcissism is a mental health term that’s made its way into everyday conversation. But it can also refer to a serious condition called narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) that typically requires professional help. If your life has been impacted by narcissism in any form, know that you’re not alone and help is available. 

With Rula, you can connect with a therapist from the comfort of your home. In just a few clicks, you can use our platform to find a therapist who takes your insurance and make an appointment as early as this week. Plus, if you need medication as part of your treatment plan, we can connect you to in-network psychiatric care as well. 

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