There is nothing more toxic than the union between an empath and a narcissist. When the two join together and decide to enter into a relationship, all hell breaks loose, so to speak.
Empaths are known for being highly-sensitive individuals that are kind and compassionate. As natural healers, they take on and absorb energies from others, which can prove therapeutic to the ones they help. However, this healing comes at a cost to the empath. In small doses, the empath can quickly recover.
Unfortunately, the narcissist, which is the polar opposite of an empath has no true empathy or compassion for anyone else. They are selfish to an alarming extent, and rather than giving the gift of healing, they are pretty much energetic vampires.
Because opposites attract, these two are almost magnetized to one another. But, when they join, several bad things can happen. Here are 15.
1. The narcissist hides their true nature.
In the beginning, the narcissist is not transparent about who they are. They will work to make the empath believe they are caring and loving and have empathy. And amid all of this, the narcissist will begin to love bomb the empath.
2. The empath believes the narcissist is good.
Because the empath can only see the facade that the narcissist has put up, they see past their gut feelings and place their trust in the narcissist. Even at times when the narcissist isn’t the best at covering their true self up, the empath looks past it and sees their good side.
3. At first the connection feels fated.
The chemistry and attraction between the two are intense. It’s no wonder they feel so mesmerized by one another because they pull on all the right strings. The spark is so intense, many mistakes this feeling as fated.
4. The narcissist’s mask begins to slip.
Unfortunately, though, because a mask cannot be worn forever, the narcissist begins to show their true colors. They begin their cycles of lying, manipulation, emotional abuse, and more.
5. The narcissist begins a cycle of abuse on the empath.
The narcissist cycles between idealizing the empath and then tearing them down. In one moment they may swear their undying love for the empath and in the next, they will tell them how stupid they are.
6. The empath begins to lose sight of themself.
In the midst of all of this, the empath begins to lose track of who they are. Once upon a time, they never imagined they could put up with someone so hurtful and cruel as the narcissist and now, they don’t know who they are anymore.
7. The empath becomes fatigued.
Because the narcissist takes and takes and takes, the empath keeps giving. After a while, their energy stores begin to dwindle to nothing and they become compassion fatigued, which feels similar to an intense depressive episode.
8. The empath begins to feel broken.
After all of this, the empath begins to wonder if they are broken. They question themselves all the time, and completely lose trust in themselves and humanity.
9. The empath continues to try to help the narcissist.
Despite all of this, because the empath loves the narcissist, they hold onto the belief that they can be fixed. They continue to support and love their narcissistic counterpart because they truly want to believe the good person they thought they once knew is in there somewhere.
10. The narcissist’s needs are neverending.
The narcissist never stops taking. They need more and more. And continue to tear down the empath little by little. They need constant validation, admiration, and attention.
11. The narcissist works to make the empath feel crazy.
When the empath voices their concerns, the narcissist calls them crazy or too sensitive. In turn, the empath begins to wonder “Am I really crazy?”
12. The empath begins to realize they cannot continue this way.
The further the relationship continues, the more the empath feels depleted. They know if they continue going on this way, they will dwindle to nothing.
13. The empath stands up for themselves.
Finally, the empath has had enough. Suddenly, they cannot stand for the behaviors of the narcissist anymore. They call the narcissist out for everything they’ve done. And they decide to leave.
14. The empath and narcissist separate.
Finally, the toxic union is over. The empath feels broken and struggles with their decision for a while. However, deep down they realize they have to let go.
15. The cycle of healing begins.
After a bit of time, the empath can recuperate and align with themselves again. They start to notice parts of themselves coming back that had felt broken during the relationship. And finally, they find peace again.