What Is The Opposite Of A Narcissist?

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to come into contact with a narcissist before, then you’ll already be aware of the havoc they can wreak.

By definition, a narcissist is known as a person who has an unreasonably high sense of self importance, as a result, this causes them to diminish those around them. 

Some of you might be wondering if there is, in fact, an opposite to a narcissist.

If there are people out there who have so little regard for others, and so much for themselves, are there also some out there who have a higher degree of empathy than is considered normal? 

Below, we answer the question above, and provide a detailed explanation regarding the topic. To find out more, simply keep reading below, as we take a closer look. 

What Is A Narcissist? 

Before we jump straight into the titular question, first of all, it’s a good idea to cover what being a narcissist actually consists of.

Those who are narcissists are considered to be suffering from a personality disorder. It is unknown whether this is caused by genetic or environmental factors. 

They have an incredibly self important view of themselves, and expect others to treat them with special attention.

If they do not get the attention they deserve, then this often causes them to lash out and become angry in a self righteous manner. 

The reason why narcissistic people can be so toxic, is because they often have an inability or unwillingness to recognize and evaluate the feelings of others.

They are often in relationships which harbor abusive dynamics, and will gaslight their partners, failing to admit that they’ve done anything wrong. 

They also have difficulty when it comes to managing their emotions, and if they feel as though they’ve failed at something, they’ll become extremely depressed and withdrawn. 

The Empath 

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at what it means to be a narcissist, we can move on to discuss the titular question – is there an opposite to a narcissist, so to speak? 

Well, the answer is yes, there are certain personality traits that could be considered to be oppositional to narcissism. Probably the most relevant example would be someone who is an empath. 

Empaths are people who feel emotions on an incredibly deep level, and this doesn’t just involve their emotions, but that of other people too. 

This can be a very positive thing, as it allows you to successfully listen to other people’s issues, and relate to them in a very real and helpful manner.

Empaths are considered to be very good at providing help and advice, as they can put themselves in other’s shoes. 

Signs That Someone Is An Empath

So, how exactly can you tell if someone is an empath? Well, there are a few signs and symptoms which seem to be very common amongst those sharing these personality traits. We take a look below.

One of the key signs that someone may be an empath, is if they take on the personality traits, or mannerisms of other people.

They don’t consciously realize that they’re doing this, but whilst communicating with other people, they may move their hands, or align their bodies in a similar direction. 

Another sign that someone may be an empath, is if they struggle to set boundaries.

Empaths, because they can relate so strongly to the problems of other people, have a difficult time saying no when people ask for their help. They want to please others so badly, that sometimes it comes at a sacrifice to themselves. 

Another common trait shared by empaths, is that they’re an extremely good judge of character.

Because they’re so adept at telling whether or not someone is lying, or acting in a falsified manner, they’re able to quickly spot people who are disingenuous. 

Another sign that someone may be an empath is if they are generally introverted. Empathetic people often feel incredibly drained after social gatherings, or just after hanging out with a few friends for an extended period of time.

They may need to then retreat to the comfort of their own home, in order to rejuvenate themselves. 

The most likely sign that somebody is an empath is if they are able to absorb the energy in a room. For example, if they walk into a group setting, they can sense whether the atmosphere is tense far better and quicker than other people can.

In addition, if somebody is feeling hurt or upset, an empath may too physically feel the emotions of the other person. This may cause them to feel down and depressed themselves, as they adopt the emotions of others. 

This emotional intelligence allows them to read between the lines, and they can usually tell when another person is disingenuous about their feelings. 

Final Thoughts 

To sum up, although there is not a direct opposite to narcissism, people who are considered to be ‘empaths’ possess many of the traits that narcissists do not.

Empaths are people who can physically feel the emotions of other people in their own bodies. Because they can feel their pain so deeply, this prompts them to want to help others. 

As a result however, the empathetic person can become drained, as they’re constantly absorbing the emotions of other people.