Wendy T. Behary

Learning how to balance self-directed with other-directed attention is an important part of childhood development. It is fundamental to the development of reciprocity, responsibility, and empathy. Unfortunately, it is usually lacking in the narcissist’s early development.

robbed of a sense of personal competence and instead felt helpless and dependent. He may have grown up feeling entitled to have others take care of everything so he wouldn’t face discomfort, humiliation, or feeling like a failure. We may also find this in cultures where males (sometimes females) are treated like “little princes”

Empathy is the ability and willingness to imagine walking in the other person’s shoes. Unlike sympathy, it is not simply feeling sorrow for another’s pain; it is the art of tuning in to it, allowing it to resonate within yourself. It is one of the most powerfully connective qualities of a healthy relationship, and its absence can be devastating.