Vulnerable narcissism refers to a form of narcissistic pathology characterized by hypersensitivity, insecurity, self-focused rumination, and fluctuations in fragile self-esteem. Unlike grandiose narcissism, entitlement is minimal and distress is prominent. It reflects an unstable relationship between self-worth and perceived external evaluation. ## Core Functions - Regulation of self-esteem - Sensitivity to social comparison and rejection ## Key Components - Shame-proneness - Negative self-focussed attention - Covert grandiosity ## Systems Interactions - Heightened limbic response to evaluative threat - Dysregulated self-referential processing networks ## Clinical Relevance - Overlaps with depressive vulnerability and rejection sensitivity - Often co-occurs with borderline-spectrum features ## Related Topics - [[Narcissistic Traits]] - [[Self-Esteem]] - [[Emotion Regulation]]