5 Signs They Are a Somatic Narcissist

The narcissist label is thrown around a lot. Generally, people use this term to describe someone who thinks a little too highly of themselves while ignoring the needs and feelings of others.

However, not all narcissists follow the same pattern. There are many different types of narcissists, and they can be classified according to what they focus on, what they obsess over, and how they behave toward others.

Somatic Narcissist vs. Cerebral Narcissist

When it comes to the focus of their narcissistic obsession, there are generally two types of narcissists:

• cerebral narcissists;
• somatic narcissists.

Cerebral narcissists are mind-focused, while somatic narcissists are body-focused.

This means that cerebral narcissists try to get narcissistic supply through their minds. They may try to impress you with their intelligence, academic degrees, career achievements, or supposedly superior ideas.

If you do not know what narcissistic supply is, it is simply a fancy term for the admiration, praise, attention, and emotional reactions a narcissist wants from others.

Somatic narcissists get their narcissistic supply through their bodies and physical appearance.

They may flaunt their bodies, flex their muscles, or brag about the number of people who hit on them.

There are no purely cerebral or purely somatic narcissists. Both types can be present in the same person. Usually, however, one type is dominant, while the other is somewhere beneath the surface.

Somatic Personality, SSD, and Somatic Narcissism

Before we look at the signs, it is important to mention that somatic narcissism is different from Somatic Symptom Disorder, or SSD, which has nothing to do with narcissism.

Somatic Symptom Disorder involves distressing physical symptoms and excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to those symptoms. Somatic narcissism, on the other hand, is about using the body, appearance, or physical attractiveness as a source of narcissistic supply.

In other words, these terms are not the same and should not be confused.

Here are five somatic narcissist traits to look out for:

1. Excessive Concern About Their Appearance

Somatic narcissists take pride in their appearance, and they tend to look polished. They may be well-groomed, attractive, fit, and very aware of how they come across physically.

You may often find them in gyms or around other people who are highly focused on health, fitness, and appearance.

This polished appearance helps satisfy their need for external validation.

2. Vanity

Somatic narcissists, regardless of gender, may overspend on high-end clothing, designer products, beauty treatments, or anything else that supports the image they want to project.

They may drive expensive cars and live in wealthy neighborhoods. They may not actually be able to afford these things. Still, they may go into debt if that is what it takes to maintain the image they want.

3. Using Physical Appeal for Attention and Control

Somatic narcissists may use their looks, charm, and romantic attention as tools for control in relationships and as proof of their desirability and status.

They may brag about who is attracted to them, how much attention they receive, or how easily they can turn heads.

Some may dress in a way that draws attention to their body, although this is not always the case.

Female somatic narcissists may particularly enjoy the idea of being “the other woman,” even when loving and committed partners are available to them.

4. Triangulation

Somatic narcissists may triangulate their victims with ex-partners or other romantic interests to provoke an emotional response, especially jealousy and distress.

In this case, their narcissistic supply is not only attention from multiple people but also the emotional suffering of their “main” victim.

5. Self-Absorption

Somatic narcissists are wired to think in terms of their own needs and wants.

They have a high sense of entitlement, and they expect things to go their way. They expect love, support, friendship, and admiration without much effort on their part.

In conversation, they tend to talk a lot about themselves. If they listen at all, they often listen only for opportunities to turn the spotlight back toward themselves.

Somatic Narcissists as Friends

As in romantic relationships, narcissists may idealize their victims at the beginning of a friendship by flattering and complimenting them.

Once the victim is hooked, the narcissist may subject them to covert abuse in the form of put-downs and backhanded compliments:

• You look good for your age.
• I love how you do not care how you come across.
• You look so different without makeup!
• You look so great I did not even recognize you!
• You look great on Facebook or Instagram.

Somatic Narcissists and Aging

The game narcissists play can only go on for so long, and this is especially true when it comes to the somatic type.

Eventually, somatic narcissists age and may lose some of the beauty, strength, and physical appeal they once relied on.

Because they are often unable to form healthy relationships with other people, they may end up alone, although this is not always the case.

Often, they continue living with their old victims, but their hold over the victim may weaken considerably.

In terms of narcissistic supply, the relationship becomes much less satisfying for the narcissist.

As they age, somatic narcissists may begin to look increasingly out of place in clothing that no longer suits them.

Their homes may be covered in photos of themselves.

Their Facebook and Instagram feeds may overflow with carefully edited selfies, both old and new.

They may develop a taste for plastic surgery and facial fillers.

They may bore their conversational partners with stories of their supposedly glorious past. They may even write a memoir about it.

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