Cont. (2 of ?)
Covert narcissists are hypersensitive and vulnerable on the inside. More than likely they didn't have their emotional needs met when they were children. As adults they're sensitive to criticism and are prone to anxiety and delusions of persecution. Bottom line, they want attention and constant approval from those around them (narcissism) and when that delusion of perfection and superiority is threatened they can be volatile and abusive. But covert narcs have a unique approach.