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21 Levels of a Narcissistic Relationship with an Empath


Did you hear the one in regards to the narcissist and empath who lived fortunately ever after? 

No, you did not as a result of it by no means occurred. 

My pals, it by no means will. 

The poisonous relationship between an empath and a narcissist is an emotional hazmat scenario that no first responder can repair. 

Contemplate this your 911 name, whether or not it is for your self or a beloved one who’s in a narcissist empath relationship. 

Nothing about that is regular, and customary relationship CPR will not suffice.

What Occurs When an Empath Falls in Love with a Narcissist?

Two highly effective forces are at work when narcissists and empaths meet.

woman hugging someone stages of a narcissist relationshipwoman hugging someone stages of a narcissist relationship

Like the nice and cozy really feel of the primary spring solar on a winter-weary face, it offers each individuals what they want.

Then a sluggish, methodical burn settles into the empath, and the narcissist wields fiery energy.

  • The empath is filled with compassion and selflessness; the narcissist has neither however is interested in those that do.
  • The empath overtly shares emotions, goals, and objectives; the narcissist mimics these to create an phantasm of compatibility. 
  • The empath will give past cheap boundaries out of an innate want to assist; the narcissist wants unwavering assist to satisfy their distorted sense of significance.
  • The empath retains giving regardless of setbacks; the narcissist makes use of each ounce of giving to yield management over the empath. 

When an empath falls in love with a narcissist, it will definitely turns into a relationship demise by a thousand paper cuts. 

So long as the empath is powerless and striving towards the unattainable ongoing narcissistic wants, the connection will proceed with a robust pressure that’s many issues – however it’s not love. 

21 Levels of a Narcissistic Relationship with an Empath

The truth that there are (at the very least) 21 phases of a relationship is an early indicator of the complexity and drama that lie forward.

The phases aren’t even an evolution. It is a revolving carousel of chaos. 

1. The First Assembly

couple at dinner stages of a narcissistic relationshipcouple at dinner stages of a narcissistic relationship

The primary time the 2 meet, it offers the sentiments of butterflies within the stomach or a way of innate connection between two individuals.

It is exhausting to pinpoint a narcissist at this stage, though the empath’s sense of compassion and endearing devotion turns into evident shortly. 

That is when phrases like “I simply knew instantly you have been somebody particular” will be exchanged by each events. 

2. The Montage

Consider this because the “falling in love” montage we see in romantic motion pictures. That is past the “honeymoon” interval, as in regular relationships.

It is the empath operating previous accountable boundaries and the narcissistic mirroring all empath’s pursuits to create a way of connection. 

The narcissist will get a contemporary ego provide, whereas the empath—even when this occurs at an abnormally frenetic tempo—turns into hooked on the “love.” 

3. The Devaluing

man ignoring woman stages of a narcissistic relationshipman ignoring woman stages of a narcissistic relationship

Each relationship will settle into patterns after the preliminary rush, however that is extra strategic for the narcissist. Little by little, they’re going to break down any success or matter centered on the empath. 

In an ongoing effort to convey again the love bombing that united the couple, the empath will turn into extra decided to maintain the narcissist completely satisfied. 

4. The Gaslighting

Because the empath struggles to search out their voice and stand their floor, they’re going to be met with gaslighting statements like, “You are overreacting,” or “You at all times get mad after I work late.” 

The empath, nonetheless drunk on the “by no means felt like this earlier than” potion, begins to hopscotch to maintain the narcissist completely satisfied. At this stage, the empath remains to be ignoring cracks within the armor. 

5. The Narcissist Lies

Since narcissists are solely self-serving however cannot sustain the Prince Charming act for lengthy, they’re going to resort to lies.

From little white lies about why they do not wish to be intimate (for the third week in a row) or huge lies like being seen holding palms with one other companion in public. 

The flame of suspicion, together with the gasoline of gaslighting, causes combustion. The empath sees the reality however feels the love bombing. Which a part of their companion is actual? 

6. The Rage

husband yelling at wife stages of a narcissistic relationshiphusband yelling at wife stages of a narcissistic relationship

Rage is more likely to comply with when a narcissist is lastly known as on the carpet by their once-adoring empath. Certain, rage will be the standard yelling and screaming, inflicting the empath to cower away. 

It is also behind a fancy dress of contempt, silent remedy, and passive aggression. Of their ongoing try to unravel issues with assist, empaths will cower from confrontation.

7. The Second-Guessing

By the point factors 3-6 have occurred, the empath is in a psychological tailspin. They query every thing they find out about themselves, wrongly assigning blame to their very own actions as an alternative of realizing the narcissist is simply going by way of a regular cycle of abuse. 

Whereas individuals who aren’t empaths will normally run for the hills, the empath digs in with dedication to get the connection again on observe. 

8. The Discard

To the empaths studying this, when the narcissist leaves you (for the primary time or the fifteenth), it has nothing to do with you. Louder for the empaths within the again: IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU

No provide retains a narcissist’s consideration for lengthy, and they’ll disappear in a single day as in the event that they vanished into skinny air. 

9. The Begging

After all, it has one thing to do with you – you say to your self as a frantic urge takes over to repair the scenario. That is how empaths are wired – to really feel the ache or unhappiness of others and repair it. 

wife trying to talk to husband stages of a narcissist relationshipwife trying to talk to husband stages of a narcissist relationship

Empaths textual content, name, give items, make grand gestures, and apologize all to stabilize the universe again to the picture-perfect world.

10. The Reunion

The reunion occurs down certainly one of two trails. Both the empath begged sufficient to rekindle the romance however signed a verbal contract to cease doing all these issues flawed that irritated the narcissist. 

This additionally occurs when the empath is attempting to heal and transfer on. The narcissist comes again with love bombing to as soon as once more management their prey. 

11. The Regret

As soon as the 2 settle into a brand new set of assumed guidelines, the empath feels that nagging feeling they’ve handled earlier than: sacrificing themselves to maintain another person completely satisfied.

They begin to really feel unhealthy about themselves, thus justifying all of the crappy issues the narcissist is saying about them anyway. Empaths start to really feel they are not a useful human aside from the narcissist’s (uncommon) accolades. 

12. The Eggshells

unhappy woman with man stages of a narcissistic relationshipunhappy woman with man stages of a narcissistic relationship

Empaths will spend a substantial amount of time strolling on eggshells round their narcissistic companion.

They may know the particular person lied, cheated, or demanded them, however nonetheless query their very own perceptions and actions. 

Empaths can systematically be separated from family and friends who do not assist the connection, once more with the blatant manipulation of the narcissist.  

13. The Empath Lies

By this level, the empath feels they’ve an excessive amount of pores and skin within the recreation to stroll away. They begin to misinform themselves, their family members, and even their monetary managers to maintain the peace of their relationship. 

Since empaths are so hyper-sensitive to different individuals mendacity, it is a gutting second for them as their very own lies eat away at their human nature.

14. The Large Discuss

woman walking out the door stages of a narcissistic relationshipwoman walking out the door stages of a narcissistic relationship

Each empath may have a breakdown (or breakthrough) the place they name bull$#hit on the connection.

With out particular, guided coaching to deal with a narcissist, that is normally the apex of notable emotional outbursts from the empath to the narcissist. 

Each little lie, gaslit second, and demeaning ammunition blows up. The empath is completed and walks away. 

15. The Backstabbing

What occurs if you flip your again on a narcissist? They seize the verbal abuse knife and simply begin stabbing.

They’re going to inform your mates how merciless you have been and even resort to tears to indicate them how flawed you have been. They may even let your boss know you are unstable. 

That is additionally not about you, despite the fact that it impacts you. This cruelty comes from narcissists attempting to regain their energy.

16. The Accordion

As soon as an empath has a bit distance from the narcissist, an accordion of info unrolls now that the empath is out of the narcissist’s management. 

Empaths see all of the issues they neglected, ignored, or made excuses for, and so they really feel much more insecure than they did throughout another part. 


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17. The Prisoner of Warfare

At this level, an empath is a prisoner of relationship battle.

They debate getting the narcissist again to cease the backstabbing, residing in an remoted jail of dwelling to keep away from the extreme emotional waves sweeping by way of them, or attempting to combat again with info. 

The profit is that an empath realizes the love bombing wasn’t actual, however in addition they know they can not escape simply. 

18. The Sides of Warfare

This stage can be eye-opening for the empath to see how many individuals they’ve pushed away throughout their narcissistic management. 

The buddy who was at all times there for a superb gab session is not responding to cries for assist.

The co-worker who at all times wished to collaborate shies away. Empaths begin to see who is de facto on their facet and who’s working with the opposition. 

19. The Marvel Girl Bracelets

The escape from a narcissist requires one thing much like these deflecting bracelets Marvel Girl wore. 

You’ll have to escape your emotional jail to face the world, able to deflect every thing from “The place is Bob? He was so nice!” to “Bob advised me you have been considering of wounding your self. Please get assist.” 

husband trying to talk to wife stages of a narcissist relationshiphusband trying to talk to wife stages of a narcissist relationship

Nothing challenges an empath’s sort and compassionate nature greater than holding their head excessive whereas shrapnel from the narcissist relationship flies at each flip. 

20. The Safety

A fragile steadiness begins for an empath to regain management of their life. For individuals who handled narcissistic rage, it is time to think about getting a restraining order or paying further consideration to locked doorways and home windows. 

Empaths ought to break their habits and exit of their manner, inside purpose, to keep away from operating into the ever-triggering narcissist with out sacrificing their very own high quality of life. 

21. The Grey Rock

The unhappy reality is, as a lot as narcissists need consideration to construct their vanity and regain management, it actually would not matter to them how they get management. 

You are hiding at dwelling since you’re so mind-boggled? Look how a lot management they’ve over you. Are you yelling at them to depart you alone? Wow, they will simply management your feelings from a distance. 

The one option to lastly escape is to turn into “Grey Rock.” Be as boring, detached, and unemotional as humanly doable at each interplay with them. 

Why Are Narcissists Drawn to Empaths?

Narcissists love empaths as a result of the empath is already not serving their very own wants. There’s much less effort required for the narcissist to get a provide, and there are many alternatives to bamboozle this emotional sponge of a human being. 

Narcissists additionally see an empath as every thing they don’t seem to be. Whereas narcissists don’t want to be compassionate, empathetic, or susceptible, they adore those that have these traits. 

Empaths additionally supply unwavering assist and adoration, which narcissists have to sustain their facade. Empaths additionally lack vanity and confidence, which makes them moths to the narcissistic flame.

They so badly need confidence, charisma, and management they may search out individuals who exude what they lack. 

With the narcissist clawing towards exemplified compassion and empaths unable to withstand the arrogance of a narcissist, there are few relationship dynamics this highly effective. It’s also an instance of why “opposites entice” is not at all times a superb factor. 

How Narcissists Destroy Empaths

The harm of a narcissistic relationship can final for years. This finish of this poisonous connection is not simply recovering from heartbreak; it shatters each perception system an empath had in themselves and different individuals. 

  • ENERGY: A narcissistic relationship drains the emotional and bodily vitality of an empath. The fixed fear and lodging wanted, combined with manipulation, sends all of their already heightened feelings into overdrive. 
  • POWER: The great thing about empaths comes from their innate potential to acknowledge feelings and try to heal others. That energy is misplaced after they understand some individuals cannot be saved. It rots away their sense of goal. 
  • CO-DEPENDENCY: If you’ve spent a lot time attempting to maintain somebody completely satisfied, it could flip right into a lifetime of co-dependent relationships with pals or companions. 
  • SURRENDER: When it appears there is no such thing as a manner out, an empath can simply keep in a narcissistic relationship to keep away from the emotional torture of leaving. 

Can Empaths Change into Narcissists?

Empaths can generally exhibit a few of the similar poisonous behaviors as their narcissistic companion when the empath has reached the tip of their emotional tether. They might lash out quickly, however this habits isn’t of their nature.

As far aside as an empath and a narcissist are on the emotional spectrum, the identical childhood trauma can set off one or the opposite down very completely different paths.

Let’s take the made-up instance of Jack and John, two brothers who grew up in a family with hyper-critical and simply outraged mother and father.

To adapt, Jack began residing in a fantasy world. He could not deal with the sentiments of disgrace and concern, so he created metal emotional armor. No person would ever make him really feel less-than-perfect once more. 

John felt the identical disgrace and concern however became an overachieving individuals pleaser. He turned ultra-sensitive to any rigidity (instinct), and his over-charged empathy for others got here on the expense of his personal wants.

Since narcissists can not really feel actual feelings, and an empath cannot let go of deep-rooted feelings, the 2 won’t ever meet on a stage taking part in subject.

Remaining Ideas

The answer to this mismatched magnetic draw lies with the empath for the reason that narcissistic isn’t going to ask for assist. An empath must work on boundaries with everybody, however the narcissist exploits these boundary gaps at each flip. 

The one option to win a battle with a narcissist is to not interact in any respect or get out on the first warning indicators.

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