Why Empaths in Particular Are a Magnet for Toxic and Malicious People
Good magically attracts evil. Empaths are something like the healing and helping hands of our society. They sense immediately when people need help and do not hesitate for a second. They use their special abilities for the good of all, even if their talent sometimes brings them to the brink of exhaustion and beyond. Their character is also something to be proud of, but it doesn't only earn them friends either. Because they are among the few honest and trustworthy humans who are principled and loyal, they are often considered weak. And "weak" translates to "easy prey" for the toxic specimens among us. Unfortunately, it happens very often that the puppeteers and manipulators choose, of all people, the kind-hearted empaths as their victims. Why this is so, and what you can do about it, we show you in this article.
1. Those who mainly see the good in people easily overlook the evil
Empaths are pure of heart and know no nasty intentions or sinister strategies. It would be wrong to call them naive, but healthy distrust is foreign to them. They automatically assume that all people have the same view of life and their environment as they do. Their motto is: love is the answer. Unfortunately, this willingly opens all doors to toxic people. Anyone who has just a trace of skepticism in them will immediately have doubts even in the early stages of the toxic relationship. The classical selecting from the crowd and placing on a pedestal or platform is one thing. Here, the majority of people are probably pleased that someone has finally recognized their potential and peculiarities. The next phase of advertising, the so-called love bombing, should not be overlooked and should immediately set alarm bells ringing. However, the friendly empaths do not suspect any malicious intent behind these exaggerated and completely staged expressions of love. Their focus is so concentrated on that part which needs their help. And skillful string pullers then know exactly which buttons to push. An empath can't help but jump at a sad life story or the story of a bad childhood. Anyone who comes across to them as unfortunate or unlucky already has a foot in the door of their heart.
2. Lack of need meets pathological neediness.
Empaths are happy and content people, otherwise they wouldn't be able to invest so much of their time and attention into the grief of others. Their positive outlook on life and energy reserves seem endless. Enter into relationships, and the "you" will always be at the forefront of their minds. In the best or luckiest case, these do-gooders then get involved with those who appreciate them and, over time, may even protect them so that their resources don't go to waste or burnout looms. In the worst case, however, a toxic hunter lurks for easy prey. A person who always puts his own needs last is the ideal partner for narcissists or psychopaths, because they have nothing else in mind than to have their needs satisfied. Here a giver and taker meet. Unfortunately, both know no boundaries, which soon turns the giver into the victim. Their scheming opponent will leave no stone unturned to squeeze the last drop of goodness and selflessness out of him. It takes a long time for empaths to realize the vicious circle in which they are caught.
3. The empath sees only the pain, not the toxic behavior.
The bait that a toxic individuals throws out to land an empath is his pain. There are reasons why someone develops into a toxic person, no question about it. These people were often raised by narcissistic parents or experienced mostly rejection or worse as children. This is the reason for their pain as adults, but not an excuse to manipulate other people and make them dance like puppets. However, because they cannot help it, the empath sees the pain and immediately empathizes with their toxic counterpart without a thought of possible consequences. Empaths are not strategists or calculated tacticians. They live by feeling and listen predominantly to their heart, not to their mind and unfortunately also not to well-meant warnings from those around them. Anyone who has ever had to watch helplessly as a good-hearted person was drawn into the clutches of a sinister manipulator and swallowed up by their meticulously planned actions knows how little one can do against this. When the thoroughly good meets the absolute evil in life, who will emerge victorious?
4. How to prevent mental and emotional abuse
Self-aware empaths, or those who have had their share of bad experiences, know their Achilles heel. They know not to place their trust in other people too lightly, even if such cautions do not suit them at all. It is not in the nature of empaths to treat their fellow human beings with suspicion and skepticism. Nevertheless, the following applies when dealing with strangers: Caution is the mother of all things porcelain. If, as an outsider, you observe how one of these kind fellow human beings is about to make themselves the next victim of a toxic person, swift action is called for. The empath will not see through it on their own, where this evil game is going to lead. Pointing out boundaries is useful here. Lending one's ear to someone is honorable. To listen to the sorrowful history of childhood and youth also falls into the core work of empaths and distinguishes these souls quite particularly. But here, at the latest, should be the end of giving and emotional generosity. At this point, practiced manipulators usually start to tighten their net around a potential victim. If the empath manages to escape this influence in time, the toxic person has failed. However, if they fall into the trap of charisma, empty promises, sad heroic tales, and other lies, the next phase in the toxic relationship structure soon begins. Then the empath is completely taken over and isolated from friends and family bit by bit. The do-gooder probably doesn't even notice because he is so busy being needed. Before this tactic works, an intervention is absolutely necessary. After all, once the bond to the outside world has been severed, the empath will not see any light at the end of the tunnel into which the puppet master is leading them deeper and deeper.
Today's Conclusion: Toxic magnetism
When empaths and highly problematic toxic individuals meet, there is no ambiguity about how this unequal match will end. Toxic personalities couldn't ask for anything better than a kind-hearted person who suspects no evil and willingly follows them into the abyss. Empaths feel the pain of those around them, but do not see its causes or the intentions for which it is mercilessly instrumentalized. Unfortunately, those who themselves only do, say and feel good things cannot recognize the bad, even when it's right in front of them. The most important lesson for empaths would be to keep self-care high and develop at least a teeny bit of healthy egoism. Once caught in the tightly woven spider's web of a toxic person, you won't be able to extricate yourself from it on your own. That's it for today.