What is a narcissist?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by an exaggerated sense of one’s importance, the belief that they are special and superior, and a severe lack of empathy and compassion. As a result of this, narcissists tend to be masters at thought control and manipulation. They do not worry about hurting those around them and are only interested in using them for their own benefit.
What is an empath?
Empaths are the complete and ultimate opposite of a narcissist. This is evident even from their name as ’empath’ stems from empathy: the ability to feel, understand and even experience what someone is feeling. Naturally, these people tend to have a lot of empathy and can easily become overwhelmed. As a result of their ability to feel empathy, they are deeply caring, highly sensitive, and dislike conflict.
You are probably wondering how these two people can attract one another.
Surprisingly, it is precisely as a result of their differences that empaths and narcissists attract each other. While the phrase ‘opposites attract’ tends to generally be said in a positive light, this is not the case when it refers to these two people. The relationship between an empath and a narcissist tends to be extremely toxic. In many cases, the empath is often left with trauma as their narcissistic partner abuses their emotional and mental wellbeing.
Narcissists need someone who will give them special treatment.
Since those with NPD truly believe that they are special, they look for people who will offer them the special treatment they believe they deserve. The empath’s ability to care deeply allows them to provide exactly what the narcissist is looking for as they shower them with praise, affection, and kindness. In addition to this, the empath will be drawn to the narcissist as initially, they will come off as charming, attractive, and confident. With time, however, their mask comes off and reveals who they truly are.
The relationship will be built on abuse, control, and toxicity.
Sooner or later, the narcissist’s belief that they are superior will lead them to abuse the empath. They will be condescending, patronizing, arrogant, and hurtful. The empath, on the other hand, will forgive them over and over again. This forgiveness stems from their inability to believe that there are people in the world who lack compassion. Thus, the empath will listen to the hurtful words they hear, and without realizing it, they will only fuel this abuse as they will think that they should give more and be better.
The empath could be left with trauma.
As a result of the empath’s strong belief in the good of people, they are unlikely to break off the relationship or leave the person they care about. This means that they endure months or years of abuse and eventually, once the relationship dissolves, they are left with intense and severe trauma.
Ultimately, the relationship between a narcissist and an empath is extremely toxic. Empaths should take care when forming a connection with a narcissist because, more often than not, they will end up being victims of abuse and manipulation.
