Do narcissists really think they are empathic?

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DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL CARE. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE. THIS VIDEO DISCUSSES NARCISSISM IN GENERAL.

THE VIDEO DOES NOT REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON, AS HAVING NARCISSISM. PERMISSION IS NOT GRANTED TO LINK TO OR REPOST THIS VIDEO, ESPECIALLY TO SUPPORT AN ALLEGATION THAT THE MAKERS OF THIS VIDEO BELIEVE, OR SUPPORT A CLAIM, THAT A SPECIFIC PERSON IS A NARCISSIST. THAT WOULD BE AN UNAUTHORIZED MISUSE OF THE VIDEO AND THE INFORMATION FEATURED IN IT.

[banthony]

Oh yes, I totally agree that the narcissist sees themselves as kind and generous and they have been wronged!

[addy]

Didn't know whether to laugh or cry when my narcissist said: "I'm a giver." He seriously sees himself that way. Unbelievable.

[ynupxcq]

I can hear my soon-to-be ex-husband of 36 years telling everyone "I'm a really nice guy". He said it over and over in therapy and became indignant when it was pointed out that really nice people don't have to tell everyone how nice they are.

[kaddylady]

It's really amazing how they pat themselves on the back for being empathic yet they don't seem to "get" that others around them are feeling hurt by them 😢

[eVaniwithaV]

YUP!!!! Their lack of self awareness is

[LEM]

“Just because you say something, doesn’t mean it’s true” ~DoctorRamani

Powerful reminder!

[yukio_saito]

Absolutely yes. They think they are kind when they give you unsolicited advice or invade your personal boundaries. They think they are telling you the truth when they gaslight you.

[joeybabybaby]

"There's no way to give a narcissistic person feedback." Dr. Ramani, you've just put into words what I realized a few decades ago but could never articulate. Thank you !!!

[jerrysstories]

This is a message for my ex-wife, my ex-boss, and my ex-girlfriend:
JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS DOES NOT MAKE YOU EMPATHIC OR "INTUITIVE"!
AND REFUSING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND DOES NOT PROVE YOU WERE RIGHT!
Thank you, that is all.

[qtleihi]

Yes, I believe that they do believe they are empathic. They mistake their emotions (anger, rage, etc) as empathy. As always, it's about them and how they feel.

[theresed]

Yes. I had a person with many strong narcissistic traits tell me they were an empath. This "empath" trait was what they blamed a lot of their hypersensitivity, defensiveness and emotional dysregulation on. Like being an empath means you have a very, very thin skin. I believe people who have narcissistic behaviors believe that strong emotions are a sign of empathy.

[EagleSoul]

I agree 100%. It's NOT about grandiose words it's about Actions. The more someone has to "sell" the idea they are great in any way the furthest from reality they are. Have you ever heard a real empathic, kind and noble person say how great they are?? NO. They just do and act as themselves. 🤓🌈

[serenity]

There is three forms of empathy... Cognitive, emotional and compassionate. As far as my understanding in my research, Narcissists can display low empathy, the form of empathy known as Cognitive empathy. This gives the Narcissists the ability to see things from your perspective and then act in a way that's most beneficial to them. Or they take note and remember the things that affect you and later will use it to their advantage.

[LynnsYouTube]

"If you've ever seen that happen - a narcissist getting in touch with their vulnerability, you're holding a moon rock." So true!!! I needed to hear that!

[Lefty]

My ex actually told me that one time 😂 he had the audacity to tell me “I think I’m too nice that’s why I can’t keep a woman. I’ve been told by my exes that I’m too nice”. He’s abused me physically mentally and emotionally… so when he said that I just looked at him and was like WTF 😳

[vladquebec]

The take I have on the topic is the following : narcissists are good at reading other people's emotions and non verbal gestures. The difference between empathic people and them is that they are using this to manipulate and control people. At the end of the day, because of their glorious view of themselves, they interpret this ability as empathy.

[mgreen]

Remember empathy is a good look. I've met several mental health professionals who are narcissists- yes this exists.

[alliemarie]

The two worst experiences I’ve had with narcissists were with a boss at a nonprofit I worked in and with a previous partner. I think they both truly believed they were empathetic, good people and were very vocal about that (despite the emotional abuse they inflicted). What I’ve learned is that people who are actually empathic don’t have to say how good they are. They just are.

[Jess-knvl]

Beware of people claiming to empathic especially in their bios on social media. In my experiences, people that tell you they are empathic tend to be toxic. Not always though, sometimes people learn what the word is and realize they suffer more due to having empathy. You just have to be aware and not take it at face value.

[PlatypusGuitar]

My narc mom convinced me, for most of my life, that she was a very kind, patient and generous person. All of her actions and attitudes proved otherwise but she also trained me to think that she was always right, had the best values, was more intelligent than most and that I should always listen to her and believe her, no matter what. It took me 39 years on this earth to finally snap out of it and see her for what she really is. Ive had an entire life filled with toxic relationships that were shaped by how my mother trained me to ignore red flags and tolerate people who dont treat well. At this point, all ive got left is my little sister. She's the golden child but she doesnt take after my mother. She's a truely good person and she listened to everything Ive told her about how it was for me growing up. She's actually 14 years younger than me and wasnt there, didnt know, about all the abuse. She believes me and remains in my life as I go no contact with the birth giver. I think she needs more time to wrap her head around the abuse SHE has endured from our mother. Because she might be a golden child but that doesnt mean she was spared from all the yelling, the manipulation and sometimes neglect. We have different fathers and neither of us can count on our dads so we really just have each other. We also both have partners with good families, which helps to save us from our own to be quite honest.