Empaths are "emotional sponges," who can absorb feelings from other people very easily. This makes them them very attractive to narcissists, because they see someone who will fulfill their every need in a selfless way.
In fact, narcissists prefer to target someone who is strong-willed, and who has talents or characteristics they admire, because they believe it makes them shine too. "Narcissists are drawn to those who can boost their own self-esteem and validate their sense of importance," Wasser told Insider.
Narcissists are often attracted to super empaths because they want to feel important and desired (and super empaths make others feel that way!).
Their seemingly friendly and non-judgmental nature will make an empath feel like they can confide in them, trust them with their secrets. All of this makes them easy prey for the narcissist. Too often, empaths who aren't as emotionally strong get wrapped up in a narcissist's manipulations.
In conclusion, it can be said that the narcissist does not miss the empath. An empath is simply a tool the narcissist can use to achieve their ends. The empath is not seen as an individual with their thoughts and feelings but as a means to an end.
"What narcissists see in empaths is a giving, loving person who is going to try and be devoted to you and love you and listen to you," she said.
The narcissist sees the empath as loving, devoted, and agreeable. The narcissist is drawn to empaths because the latter are emotional sponges. An empath in love will listen to the narcissist with undivided attention and a desire to understand them.
Although narcissists act superior, entitled and boastful, underneath their larger-than-life facade lies their greatest fear: That they are ordinary. For narcissists, attention is like oxygen. Narcissists believe only special people get attention.
Because of the heightened sense of emotional intelligence empaths have, when they meet a narcissist, they might sense that inner emotional trauma or posturing and try and comfort the narcissist, taking on their natural “nurturing” role.
When an empath leaving narcissist situation occurs, it is generally because the empath is unable to take any additional abuse from the narcissist. They may not feel like they are being treated properly and understand that they deserve to be with someone who cares.
Narcissists often look for victims who struggle with insecurity and low self-esteem. People who think less of themselves and struggle with the “I am not enough” mindset tend to attract toxic partners. People with self-esteem issues tend to think of themselves as imperfect or unlovable.
Kim Saeed, a narcissistic abuse recovery expert, says that narcissists prey on empaths and highly sensitive people. Empaths operate predominately from love, humility, and giving.
The trick to an Empath actually overcoming this cycle and being strong enough to leave, and heal, is to actually re-identify themselves with and fully feel their rage, and accept that they in fact cause harm, and are also allowed to feel rage, and lose their composure and care.
Type As can also be dangerous to narcissists
Although they can be targeted, type A people can also become a narcissist's worst nightmare. One of the most important defenses against dark personalities is having strong boundaries yourself, and type A people are usually aware they have the right to build them.
The best way to shut down a narcissist is to walk away from them. If all else fails, you can physically remove yourself from the conversation. Even if they keep talking, simply turn around and walk away. If they follow you, close the door.
People who are impressive in some way, either in their career, hobbies and talents, their friendship circles, or family. Someone who will make the narcissist feel good about themselves, through compliments or gestures. Anyone who will reflect well on them in the eyes of other people.
As an empath in a tense moment, your heart rate may quicken even more than normal. Your anger may feel heightened, your sadness more intense. It's harder to control your own emotions because you have your emotions and your partner's emotions running through your body.
Ignoring a narcissist will enrage them because of their fragile egos. This is because narcissists have incredibly fragile egos (also though they seem quite large because they are overcompensating). They'll feel humiliated and lash out against you to protect themselves.
That is, some narcissistic individuals may have intact empathic ability, but choose to disengage from others' pain or distress, while others may have a deficient ability in the recognition of others' feelings.
It comes hand-in-hand with this that narcissists hate being criticised or called out. Which is exactly why there's one word in particular narcissistic people cannot stand: "no".
No noise, bright lights, phone calls, texts, emails, internet, television, or conversations. It's sometimes important to just feel your own energy without anyone else around. You are being your own best friend, which is a way to nurture yourself. By decreasing external stimulation, it's also easier to clear negativity.
When deprived of Narcissistic Supply - both primary AND secondary - the narcissist feels annulled, hollowed out, or mentally disembowelled. This is an overpowering sense of evaporation, disintegration into molecules of terrified anguish, helplessly and inexorably.
What is empathy fatigue? At worst, empathy fatigue is a person's inability to care. It's the negative consequence of repeated exposure to stressful or traumatic events. It can manifest both emotionally or physically.