A dark empath is someone who uses cognitive empathy at the expense of others, often for personal gain. If cognitive empathy is the ability to see someone's point of view without having to feel the accompanying emotions, then a dark empath capitalizes on that. Simply put, a dark empath is someone who easily recognizes another person's feelings or situation, but doesn't really sympathize and want to help.

Characteristics and Behavior

People with dark empathy are characterized by needing attention from their surroundings but rarely getting it, feeling a high need for adjustment to other people's experiences and circumstances, and feeling emotionally distant or detached. Often, they are also intensely self-critical, despite having a drive towards success or grandeur. Based on what they feel, typical behaviors are formed, such as:

• Tend to engage in revenge behavior, such as gossiping, bullying, or intimidating.

• Emotionally manipulating to take advantage of others

• Acting to hurt or harm others

• A dark empath is often an extroverted personality, so they are easily found in social settings and interact easily.

In essence, a dark empath does things not based on honesty. They may appear cheerful, act in a polite and kind manner, and be a favored partner or relative, but really, all they want is money or the value they can get from others. 

A dark empath tends to have an extroverted personality and is therefore well-liked.

What Dark Empaths Look Like in the Real World

Since a dark empath has the ability to logically understand psychological relationships, they tend to employ indirect and subtle manipulation tactics. Their insight allows them to identify ways to manipulate social situations in a way that makes them appear innocent. Common manipulation tactics are:

• Gaslighting: making others question their own sanity and self-perception

• Love bombing: giving excessive attention and affection, e.g. gifts or compliments

• Ghosting: getting close to the target but then disappearing without a word of farewell

• Playing victim: ignoring the feelings of others but making oneself out to be the injured party

• Sarcasm: humiliating or degrading others through words

• Intimidation: scaring the other person.

• Gossip: talking about others just to bring the target down.

Love bombing is one of the manipulation tactics of a dark empath in the real world.

Causes of Dark Empath

The exact cause of why someone becomes a dark empath is unknown. However, most experts agree that it results from a complex mix of world experience, disposition, and innate biological functions. They will seem very charming and able to put themselves in a position of perceived importance to someone, but will then become the person who brings that position down. Terrifying, isn't it?

So, dark empath is a term for people who are sensitive and easily recognize the feelings of others, but they don't intend to help, but rather just want to take advantage of the situation for personal gain. Actions they often do in the real world are gaslighting, love bombing, ghosting, playing victim, sarcasm, bullying, and gossiping. Ladies, have you ever met someone like that?

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