True empathy is the ability to understand, share, and actually feel what another is feeling, to walk in their shoes, and to tune into what they’re going through on an emotional level.
You will not get true empathy from a narcissist! One of the hallmarks of narcissism is a lack of empathy. A narcissist is self-absorbed, self-serving, and cares only about themselves. You are merely a prop in their play, a means to an end, a limb on their tree… It’s all about them, baby!
That being said, many narcissists are skilled at something known as “cognitive empathy.” This means they can understand your feelings on an intellectual level, there’s just no true caring or compassion. Because they “get it” in their heads, they are often able to fake empathy and come off as concerned and empathetic. This is just one more way the narcissist is able to manipulate you into thinking they’re there for you, that they have your back. But, fail to meet their demands and you’ll find they not only don’t have your back, they’ll gladly stab you in it.
(Ouch.)