Empath and narcissist are two terms that are often used together, and it’s not uncommon for people to wonder if empaths are narcissists. While these two personality types share some similarities, they are fundamentally different. Let’s dig deeper into the question “Are empaths narcissists?”.

In order to learn and understand more about empaths, narcissists, and even narcissistic sympathizers, it is necessary to first understand who they are and what they are. Understanding the differences between empaths and narcissists can help avoid confusion and misinformation.

empath

An empath is a person who is very attuned to the feelings and feelings of others. Empaths are often described as sensitive, compassionate, and caring individuals who can feel the feelings of others and respond to them with empathy and understanding.

They can often feel overwhelmed by their own emotions and those of others, but they are also skilled at helping others process and manage their own feelings.

Narcissists

On the other hand, a narcissist is someone who is always preoccupied with their own needs, desires, and accomplishments. Narcissists have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and often lack empathy for others.

They are often described as arrogant, selfish, and manipulative individuals who seek the attention and admiration of others. Plus, they stop at nothing to make sure their needs are met; They are willing to go to great lengths to exploit others to fulfill their needs, wants, and desires.

Are Empaths Narcissists?

The answer is no. While there may be some similarities between these two personality types, they are fundamentally different.

Empaths are compassionate, caring individuals who focus on the needs of others, while narcissists are selfish individuals who lack empathy and focus on their own needs and desires.

However, it is important to note that empaths can be vulnerable to narcissistic abuse. Narcissists often seek out empathetic individuals because they are skilled at manipulating and exploiting their sympathy and empathy.

Empaths may also struggle to set boundaries and prioritize their own needs, which can make them vulnerable to being taken advantage of by narcissists.

On the other hand, it may be possible for some empaths to have slight narcissistic tendencies. Although narcissistic empathy is very rare, it does exist. Empathic narcissists are people who tend to have the qualities of a covert narcissist and have difficulty building emotional relationships with others.

Now, let’s find out more about the signs of one of them.

11 Signs of a narcissistic empath

They have a strong need for admiration and attention.
Narcissistic empaths often need admiration and attention from others. They may seek praise and validation for their accomplishments and may become resentful or angry when they feel they are not receiving the attention they think they deserve.

Are narcissistic empaths

They are very sensitive to criticism.
While it may appear that narcissists have thick skin and lack empathy for others, empathic narcissists are extremely sensitive to criticism. They may become defensive or resentful when they see someone criticizing them or not appreciating their efforts.
They are skilled at reading and manipulating others.
Narcissistic empaths have the ability to read and understand the feelings and needs of others. This skill is often used to manipulate people into providing them with what they want or to gain admiration and attention.

They can easily use their charm and charisma to influence and persuade others, which makes their tactics hard to resist. This ability to manipulate others can be dangerous, as it can make people feel used and taken advantage of.

It is important to be aware of their manipulative tendencies and set healthy boundaries in order to protect oneself from their manipulative tactics.

They have a sense of entitlement.
Are empaths narcissists? They can be, especially when they have a strong sense of entitlement.

Narcissistic empaths may have a sense of entitlement, believing they deserve special treatment or appreciation. He may get upset or angry when he feels that he is not getting what he thinks he deserves.

They struggle to set boundaries.
They may struggle to set boundaries, as they may find it difficult to distinguish between their own needs and emotions and those of others. Also, they have a tendency to take on the emotions and needs of others, and neglect their own needs and desires.
They can be charming and attractive.
An empathic narcissist can be charming and charismatic, using their empathy and sensitivity to win the trust and admiration of others. They use their charm to manipulate others into getting what they want or to attract attention and validation.

They can have emotional reactions.
They can be very emotionally reactive individuals and may become resentful or angry when their needs or emotions are not being met. They can easily get overwhelmed by other people’s feelings, which can lead to emotional outbursts or meltdowns.

This heightened sensitivity to emotions can make it difficult for them to navigate relationships, as they may struggle to manage their own emotions and respond appropriately to the feelings of others.

It is important to handle interactions with narcissistic empaths with care and compassion, as their emotional reactivity can be a manifestation of deep pain and insecurity.

They suffer from low self-worth and low confidence.
It should be noted that although there is a strong sense of self-importance, narcissistic empaths often show low self-worth. This may seem like a contradiction, but it is because they need the constant validation of others to feel good about themselves.

In addition, they are emotionally intelligent and self-aware enough to recognize their own manipulative behaviors, which can lead them to feel unworthy of love and healthy relationships. This negative self-perception can cause them to point out their own flaws, which may lead you to believe that they are not narcissistic.

Related: How Do Narcissists Think And Work?

They may have a history of trauma or abuse.
Empathic narcissists may have a history of trauma or abuse, which may have contributed to their narcissistic and empathetic traits.

They may have learned to use empathy and sensitivity as a means of survival while developing narcissistic traits as a way to protect themselves from further harm.

They may struggle with emotional intimacy.
They struggle with intimacy and emotional intimacy, as they have difficulty distinguishing between their feelings and needs and those of others.

Chances are, they become enmeshed with their partners or friends, ignoring their own needs and desires in favor of meeting the needs of others.

They have a dark sense of humor.
They tend to use sarcasm and have a dark sense of humor. They often make jokes at the expense of others, which can be hurtful and even considered a form of bullying.

Although their humor may elicit laughter, they can be harsh on those who become the target of their jokes. At first, their wit and sense of humor may be seen as charming. They can effortlessly make a caustic remark with a smile or laughter, and many people may not at first realize the malicious intent behind their words.

Only in hindsight can one realize that the joke was not on the dark sympathy, but on the recipient.

Can a narcissist be an empath?

The idea of a narcissistic person being an empath may seem contradictory at first, but someone can possess traits of both personality types.

These are individuals who have narcissistic personality traits, such as an inflated sense of self-importance, entitlement, and need for attention and admiration, but who also possess empathic qualities, such as the ability to understand and connect with others on an emotional level.

These individuals often use their empathic abilities to manipulate and control others, because they have a deep understanding of how to play on people’s feelings and desires. They may also use their ability to empathize with others to gain sympathy and concern for themselves.

However, it is important to note that while an empathic narcissist may possess some empathic traits, their primary drive still centers around their own needs and desires. They may use their empathic abilities to gain power and control over others, rather than genuinely communicate with them.

Furthermore, the empathic qualities they display may be just a front or a tool used to advance their agenda. They may use their ability to empathize with others to manipulate them, without truly feeling empathy or concern for their well-being.

Conclusion

Empaths are generally the polar opposite of narcissists. Narcissists are self-absorbed and selfish, while empaths are kind, generous, and compassionate. Therefore, an empath is not always likely to be a full-blown narcissist.