The act of uncovering or revealing a covert narcissist’s true nature — which is frequently manipulative, dishonest, and self-centered — is known as “unmasking” them.
A covert narcissist may respond in a variety of ways when discovered, depending on the particular circumstance and the person.
When their behavior is criticized, a covert narcissist may occasionally become aggressive or defensive and reject or abdicate responsibility for their actions.
They might try to gaslight the person who exposed them by getting them to doubt their own sense of truth or perspective. Narcissists frequently employ this strategy to keep control of the relationship.
In other situations, a covert narcissist could act more violently or aggressively in an effort to retake control or establish dominance.
They could try to control or intimidate the person who has exposed them, or they might lash out with abusive language or actions.
A covert narcissist may also retreat or isolate themselves if their actual nature is discovered. They might make an effort to separate themselves from the person who exposed them or try to avoid any sort of conflict.
