I believe lack of empathy is the result of an absent father, bad fathering, or bad relationship with the father figure. Lack of empathy is not only a narcissistic trait, it also comes with antisocial PD and BPD is commonly co-morbid with other PD's. my DX says Borderline but I also fit the following PD's as well: Antisocial, Paranoid, Schizotypal, Dependent. I have been abused by a narcissist for years in an unhealthy relationship, while I was with her I displayed some NPD traits. But that could just be part of the Chameleon in me.

I've been with several women who didn't know their father, or had their father pass away when they were babies and they all displayed narcissistic behaviors. Its completely 100% up to you if you want to answer, but did you have problems with your father or no father during your early childhood?

My theory is that whenever a parent is absent in a child's life the child takes on the role of the stereotype of what that parent was supposed to be. Aggressive and Callous behavior is the stereotype of a man. I have so many issues because I had a very dysfunctional family and both parents were often absent, abusive or neglectful.