1. Surface Illusion

Like a hologram, a pathological narcissist projects an image of themselves that isn’t real—often charming, confident, and idealized. This outer persona, or “false self,” is meticulously crafted to draw others in and gain admiration, masking their true nature. Once you look closer, though, you realize it lacks the depth and substance they initially presented.

2. Shifting and Inconsistent

A hologram changes as you look at it from different angles, and similarly, narcissists present different “faces” to different people. They shape-shift depending on who they’re with or what they want, making it hard to pin down their true personality. This can be confusing, as they can appear loving one moment and cold or hostile the next.

3. Lack of Genuine Depth

Just as a hologram has no physical depth, narcissists often lack authentic emotional depth. Their emotions are frequently shallow or exaggerated to elicit a response, lacking the real empathy and vulnerability that make relationships meaningful. Their connections often feel empty, and attempts to reach a deeper level are met with defensiveness, manipulation, or even hostility.

4. Distorted Reality

Much like a hologram is an illusion of reality, the narcissist creates a distorted version of reality for those around them. They manipulate facts, twist conversations, and gaslight to make their version of events seem real, making it hard for others to discern truth from lies.

5. Fragility of the Image

If you shatter a hologram, it disappears—similarly, confronting a narcissist’s false self or exposing their flaws can cause them to react defensively, often with rage or emotional withdrawal. This reveals how fragile their “image” really is, as they rely heavily on maintaining control over how others perceive them.