People either internalize or externalize their insecurity. Those who internalize become quiet and isolated, while those who externalize become vocal and aggressive. Both can be positive or negative.

A person can isolate themselves to take time to think and figure things out or to allow the situation to change on its own before reengaging (positive), or they can be simply hiding (negative). Similarly, a person can aggressively seek out help or answers from other people (positive), or they can abusively project their insecurity onto other people and blame them for it (negative).

Some will work to distract and derail others so that they will not be alone in their insecurity. This is the source of an important dynamic.

Both negative forms of expression, internalized and externalized, can be used as a weapon of manipulation against a person of the opposite expression. An aggressive person can use abuse to cause another to isolate themselves. Or, a person can use their own isolation to cause an aggressive person to become toxic and negative.