What is your personality type? Are you a narcissist or empath? Empaths and narcissists contrast each other. While empaths tend to be overly sensitive about the feelings and emotions of those around them, narcissists thrive on making others think highly of them. If you are not sure whether you are a narcissist or empath, this article and our previous empath quiz will help you decide.
You need to understand, however, that each personality has its own advantages and disadvantages. We have structured this quiz to assess and help you discover your personality so that you can act appropriately. As you read along and answer the questions, don’t feel judged in any way. Let’s get started.
When people around you suffer, do you feel hurt or unconcerned?
Whether narcissist or empath, you will encounter people in pain or distress. Feeling concerned when other people are hurting is the most common and outstanding trait associated with empaths.
If you are constantly taking on other people’s emotions as your own so much that it eats you up, then you are probably an empath. This can sometimes be draining. In extreme cases, empaths may end up depressed or even suicidal. If you are an empath, I would recommend associating with positive energy only.
On the other hand, narcissist takes pleasure in other people’s misfortunes. They use that opportunity to command and be seen. If this defines you, try and avoid crossing paths with depressed people.
How do you handle crowds?
Are you usually uncomfortable around many people or do you just blend in naturally? If your self-confidence goes down when you are out with other people then you are probably an empath. Unlike narcissists who have no problem socializing with huge crowds, empaths find it hard being around many people unless they are in the company of close confidants.
If you are an empath, avoid mixing with sad crowds such as burials and hospital congregations. Such crowds will wear you out.
If you crave attention and/or validation, then you are probably a narcissist. Narcissists thrill at the idea of being the center of everybody’s attention. The problem, however, is no matter how much attention they get they will always want more. They seek other people’s approval more than anything and this makes it hard to build connections.
Have you ever been depressed or had suicidal thoughts?
Empaths, being overly sensitive, absorb the emotions of those around them. An empath may take up the sad emotions of others as their own. Consequently, guilt will build up and this can result in depression. And in most cases, these attract suicidal thoughts.
As an empath, you should train yourself to block out negative energy. If you can’t listen to other people’s problems without being affected, then you should probably consider not listening at all. Take some time off to decompress and re-energize.
On the contrary, narcissist influences the people around them to depression or commit suicide. The narcissist lives in a world of hierarchy and they love the idea of being at the top. Being a narcissist implies being the best at what you do or among people around you. Do you always feel the urge to be perfect, right, or the most competent at something? Be careful with how you handle depressed people. You’d rather avoid them altogether.
Alternatively, whether narcissist or empath, try to cultivate a sense of satisfaction. It will be hard but it is the only way to achieve self-fulfillment without straining yourself or hurting others.
How often do you suffer anxiety?
Do small things constantly disturb you? Things such as how you look or other people’s impressions about you? Anxiety is a normal emotion. However, if you are often anxious for no apparent reason, then probably it’s time to check yourself. If you can’t control anxiety, the result can be catastrophic. Empaths should learn to cultivate a sense of self-security such that trivial things don’t bother them.
Narcissists, on the other hand, have no trouble with anxiety. However, deep down narcissists are miserable and full of frustrations. To make up for this, they continually want to have influence over practically everything and everyone. This sense of entitlement and demand for control is what deters them from anxiety attacks.
Do you feel unique? Or are other people’s remarks about you more significant?
Empaths try too hard at times not to offend other people. They are always going out of their way to impress the next person and to make things right with those around them. Empaths need to learn to be self-sufficient and not to worry much about how other people regard them.
On the other hand, narcissists feel unique. They build their entire world around perfectionism. They expect everything to happen as planned and those around them to follow suit. This is an acutely impossible demand which leaves the narcissist discontented more often than not. However, it doesn’t bother them at all. At least not in public.
Do you have boundaries?
Are you conscious of other people’s personal space and boundaries? Like 2-year-olds, narcissists believe that they are entitled to everything. If a narcissist wants something they will go out of their way until they acquire it. They won’t take no for an answer. It doesn’t help that they have little or no sense of empathy.
Empaths, on the other hand, suffer self-oppression just to please those around them. They can’t set and follow through with boundaries. As long as you don’t engage with narcissists, you should be fine even without boundaries.
Conclusion
It is still unclear why narcissists and empaths are almost naturally drawn to each other. Whether the relationship between these two personalities is toxic depends on how you relate to each other. If you’re an empath, there is nothing to worry about. As long as you take the necessary precautions it is possible to lead a perfectly normal happy life. Narcissists are persons who are interested in making other people think highly of them. They are not completely toxic, just a little too irritating at times. It is not wrong to be one if you learn to control your behaviors. For a narcissist or empath, neither character is too harmful if the right adjustments are made.