Some emphats put boundaries if they sense manipulation, control and playing mind games. Some emphats cannot be forever fooled by wicked people ( narcissists). To be emphatic or narcissists is a choice regardless you had past childhood traumas or not. Not all narcissists has bad past traumas. Many narcissists has upbringings that put them in pedestals that caused them with extreme self esteems that make them narcissists. NARCISSISMS OR NPD IS A CHOICE . Just like being a good or bad person is one's preferences.