Narcissism and Empathy: What's the Difference?
The terms narcissism and empathy are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different aspects of personality. Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by an excessive need for admiration and a lack of empathy. Empathy, on the other hand, is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Narcissism
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is characterized by an excessive need for admiration and a lack of empathy. People with this disorder often think highly of themselves and have an inflated sense of their own importance. They are often arrogant and have difficulty understanding the feelings of others. Narcissists often engage in exploitative behavior and are not above taking advantage of others for their own gain.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. People who are empathetic are often capable of putting themselves in someone else's shoes and seeing things from their perspective. They are more likely to show compassion and understanding for the feelings of another person. People who are empathetic are often good listeners and can be excellent at resolving conflicts.
Are Empaths the Opposite of Narcissists?
The short answer is yes, empaths are the opposite of narcissists. Empaths are highly aware of the feelings of others and strive to show compassion and understanding. Narcissists, on the other hand, are focused on their own needs and have difficulty understanding the feelings of others. While empaths are willing to put themselves in someone else's shoes, narcissists are more likely to put themselves first.