Who Are Narcissists Attracted To? 7 Types of People They Target
Narcissists don’t form relationships in the way healthy individuals do. Instead of seeking genuine connection, mutual respect, and emotional intimacy, they look for people they can control, manipulate, and exploit for their own benefit. Their relationships often follow a predictable cycle: idealisation, devaluation, and eventual discard. But why do they choose certain people as their targets?
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist
If you’ve ever found yourself entangled with a narcissist, you may have wondered what made you a target in the first place. In this article, we’ll explore seven types of people narcissists are attracted to, how they exploit them, and why they ultimately destroy the very individuals they were once drawn to.
1. Empathetic People
Empathy is one of the most valuable traits a person can have, but in the hands of a narcissist, it becomes a tool for manipulation. Narcissists are highly attracted to those with a deep sense of empathy because these individuals are more likely to tolerate mistreatment, make excuses for bad behaviour, and put the narcissist’s needs ahead of their own.
A narcissist sees an empath as someone who will endlessly support them, comfort them, and provide emotional validation without expecting the same in return. They know that an empathetic person will do everything in their power to understand them, even when the narcissist behaves cruelly. Over time, the narcissist drains the empath’s energy, exploiting their kindness until there’s nothing left.
2. People Who Admire Them
Narcissists crave admiration. They thrive on attention, flattery, and constant validation. If you are someone who naturally praises others, shows appreciation, and enjoys making people feel good about themselves, you may be a prime target for a narcissist.
At first, they will soak up the admiration like a sponge, basking in the compliments and attention. However, the problem arises when the narcissist realises that admiration alone isn’t enough for them. Eventually, they grow bored or resentful of the person who once adored them. Rather than appreciating genuine admiration, narcissists often devalue the very people who provide it, seeing them as weak or foolish for putting them on a pedestal.
3. Vulnerable Individuals
A narcissist can spot vulnerability a mile away. Whether someone is going through a difficult life transition, struggling with low self-esteem, or dealing with trauma, a narcissist will see this as an opportunity to gain control. They present themselves as a source of support, offering sympathy and guidance—at least at first.
However, this kindness is never genuine. Once they have gained your trust, narcissists will use your vulnerabilities against you. They might subtly criticise you, plant seeds of doubt, or make you feel as though you can’t function without them. The goal is to create emotional dependency so that you remain under their influence.
4. Successful People
Although narcissists often present themselves as confident and accomplished, many of them secretly struggle with deep feelings of envy and inadequacy. This is why they are drawn to successful, ambitious individuals. On the surface, they appear to admire these people, but underneath, there’s a need to either take credit for their success or tear them down.
Rather than celebrating a partner, friend, or colleague’s achievements, a narcissist will undermine them. They may belittle their accomplishments, downplay their hard work, or actively sabotage their progress. They cannot tolerate the idea of someone else outshining them, so they do whatever they can to feel superior—even if it means destroying the person they were initially drawn to.
5. People Who Give Them Constant Attention
Narcissists thrive on attention. If you are someone who naturally enjoys making others feel seen and valued, you may become a target for a narcissist. At first, it feels wonderful—they soak up your energy, charm you with their charisma, and make you feel like you’re the centre of their world.
However, narcissists are never satisfied for long. They require a constant supply of validation, and when they feel like they’re no longer getting enough from you, they’ll start looking elsewhere. They may begin flirting with others, withdrawing emotionally, or creating drama just to get a reaction. The moment you stop giving them undivided attention, they punish you by making you feel unimportant.
6. Independent People
It may seem counterintuitive, but narcissists are often attracted to independent, strong-willed individuals. They see this as a challenge—a person who doesn’t immediately submit to them is someone they want to conquer.
At first, they will admire your strength, ambition, and self-sufficiency. But over time, their goal becomes breaking down that independence. They do this by:
- Criticising your choices and making you second-guess yourself
- Creating unnecessary drama to distract you from your goals
- Making you feel guilty for prioritising yourself
- Undermining your confidence so that you begin relying on them more
The stronger and more independent you are, the more effort they will put into chipping away at your sense of self, ensuring that you eventually feel trapped in the relationship.
7. People Who Offer Unconditional Love
One of the most dangerous traps people fall into with narcissists is believing that unconditional love can change them. Narcissists are often drawn to people who believe in second chances, who forgive easily, and who see the best in others—even when they’re being mistreated.
At first, the narcissist will relish the attention and devotion that unconditional love brings. However, rather than appreciating it, they will take advantage of it. The more love and support you offer, the more they will test your limits. They may push boundaries, betray your trust, and hurt you repeatedly, knowing that you will keep coming back.
Eventually, they lose respect for the very person who gave them unconditional love. Once they’ve drained you emotionally, they discard you without remorse, moving on to a new source of supply.
Why Narcissists Destroy the People They Are Attracted To
Narcissists don’t see people as equals; they see them as tools to serve their ego. Once they’ve extracted everything they need—whether it’s admiration, emotional support, or financial security—they no longer have a use for the person they once seemed so infatuated with.
The moment a narcissist feels like they’re losing control, they begin to devalue and discard their target. They might:
- Criticise and belittle them
- Sabotage their happiness and success
- Emotionally withdraw or become cold
- Cheat, lie, or manipulate to regain power
They destroy the very people they once admired because deep down, narcissists cannot handle true intimacy, equality, or emotional depth. They fear losing control more than anything, so they break others down before they can be abandoned themselves.
Who Narcissists Are Attracted To: 7 Types of People They Target for Manipulation.
If you recognise yourself in any of these descriptions, it’s important to remember that being targeted by a narcissist is not a reflection of your weakness—it’s a testament to your strength, kindness, and value. Narcissists don’t seek out people who have nothing to offer; they go after those who have something they want.
The key to protecting yourself is understanding the signs, setting firm boundaries, and refusing to tolerate manipulative behaviour. You deserve relationships based on mutual respect, honesty, and emotional safety—never let a narcissist convince you otherwise.
Check these out!
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist
15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.
A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.
Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.
Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future
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