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You’re Dating a Narcissist - The Narcissist's Lack of Empathy and Emotional Unavailability

  • Writer: Michael Capleone, Sr.
    Michael Capleone, Sr.
  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read

If you’ve found yourself pouring your heart out to someone who seems cold, indifferent, or dismissive, you may be dating a narcissist. The defining feature of narcissism is a lack of empathy—a chilling absence of emotional depth that makes genuine connection nearly impossible.


Emotional Unavailability: When You’re Always Alone Together

Narcissists are emotionally unavailable by design. They lack the capacity—or the desire—to connect with your inner world. Your feelings become inconvenient to them. Your needs become threats.


You may notice:

  • They interrupt or ignore you when you speak about your emotions.

  • They dismiss your pain or reframe it to be about them.

  • You feel more alone with them than when you’re by yourself.

Eventually, you stop bringing things up. You minimize your feelings just to avoid their reactions.


Lack of Empathy: Coldness Behind the Mask

True empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. A narcissist may mimic empathy at times, but it’s never consistent, never genuine, and always self-serving.

Red flags include:

  • They can’t celebrate your successes unless it benefits them.

  • They seem irritated when you're sick, sad, or vulnerable.

  • They mock or belittle others' struggles.

  • They turn every conversation back to themselves.

You become the caretaker in the relationship—meeting their needs while ignoring your own.


What To Do About It

  1. Stop Justifying Their Behavior: “They had a hard childhood” isn’t a reason to accept mistreatment.

  2. Reconnect with Yourself: Begin asking, How do I feel around this person? Am I shrinking?

  3. Build an Emotional Support Network: Find people who actually listen. Create space for warmth in your life.

  4. Leave Without Waiting for Closure: They won’t suddenly become emotionally available. Don’t lose more years hoping.


Empathy is the foundation of love. Without it, you’re not in a relationship—you’re in a one-sided emotional transaction. Your feelings matter, Healthy love feels safe, seen, and reciprocal.


You're not alone—and you're not powerless. These simple, but informative and powerful guides that are strategic, legal, and provide sharp emotional tools that work. These guides are inexpensive, give you valuable knowledge, and peace of mind in addressing the issue you’re facing at a fraction of what it would cost to receive this same information from an in-person consultation with a professional.    


Get this powerful Guide here!


Need more step-by-step legal and emotional strategies? Download these focused guides:


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About Michael Capleone, Attorney at Law

Michael Capleone is a seasoned family law attorney based in Hoover, Alabama, with over 22+ years of experience helping clients navigate complex legal challenges, including divorce, child custody, parental rights, grandparent’s rights, military divorces, petition for protection from abuse, CPS and DHR matters, father’s rights, mother’s rights, relationship advice, pets/ animal custody when a relationship or marriage ends, and general family law matters, co-parenting, dealing with a narcissist, emotional recovery, and much more! As a licensed practicing attorney since 2003, is a dedicated advocate for his clients, Michael understands the emotional and legal complexities of family law cases and works tirelessly to secure favorable outcomes in his law practice.

Whether you’re dealing with high-conflict custody battles, seeking modifications to child support or visitation, or facing difficult divorce proceedings, having problems with a toxic ex, trying to co-parent with a narcissist. Michael Capleone provides expert legal tips and topic specific information with wisdom and clarity. He is committed to ensuring that his clients’ rights are protected, and their voices are heard in the courtroom. These blogs and guides that he is creating are meant to provide simple, straightforward, helpful, and powerful practical information for people all across the United States of America and beyond. 

These guides are written in a brief and concise way to get you powerful and useful information that you can easily print off in a reasonable small number of pages. Each guide is a concentrated, no-fluff resource — around 4-5 pages packed with professional insight, legal strategy, and emotional survival tactics. They are designed to cover the real pain points people face in courtrooms and custody fights: defending yourself against false accusations, exposing manipulation without looking petty, protecting your financial future, and keeping your relationship with your children strong in the middle of conflict.

For less than the cost of a single attorney consultation, you get targeted strategies built from over 22+ years of real-world family law experience. These aren’t generic blog articles or cookie-cutter templates. Every guide is designed to give you immediate, actionable steps — the same strategies I teach my own clients — adapted for real people dealing with real, high-stakes problems.

If you're serious about defending your rights, protecting your children, and staying one step ahead of a manipulative ex, these guides aren't just helpful — they're essential. They will save you time, reduce your stress, and help you make smarter moves when everything is on the line.

Winning in court isn’t just about having evidence. It’s about understanding the psychology, the patterns, and the legal strategies that judges actually respond to. These guides put that power in your hands. If you’re ready to stop reacting and start taking control, you’re exactly where you need to be!

For more information on Michael Capleone’s legal services or to schedule a consultation. An experienced Hoover, Alabama family law attorney that guides clients through legal strategy, emotional challenges, relationship problems, legal matters and more to achieve the best positive outcomes. Note: Licensed in the State of Alabama only. 

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique—please consult with a qualified family law attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation. Also, this  blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, psychological, or professional advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship or any other professional-client relationship. The information provided is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, tax professional, psychologist, or other expert regarding your specific situation.

Man in sunglasses and tie stands outside a glass building, holding a jacket. He's serious, with a sign and trees reflected behind him.
Attorney Michael Capleone



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