Stages of Influence in a Narcissistic Relationship
I’ll try to list my points in the order they may occur in an abusive relationship with a narcissist, though everyone’s experience may differ.
1. Love Bombing and Magical Thinking
In the beginning, when you get to know the narcissist, their most effective tools are love bombing and future faking. This is when you adopt the narcissist’s magical thinking and start believing in the fantasy world they pull you into. Narcissists believe in this fantasy themselves, envisioning a happy and successful life. Why else do they react so strongly and resentfully when confronted with reality? Narcissists are highly delusional, often childlike in their approach to life.
They need this fantasy to keep moving forward, and the longer you stay with them, so you will. However, hope is often a result of fear, and merely believing in hope without taking action traps you in a cycle of endless misery. In reality, there is no improvement with a narcissist, only a total downfall for you, the longer you stay.
Related Topics:
5 Real Proofs Narcissists are Evil
7 Things Narcissists Do That’ll Never Make Sense to You
How do narcissists exploit innocent victims?
2. Eroding Personal Boundaries
Love bombing leads to my next point: adopting the narcissist’s problems with personal boundaries. Narcissists are prone to overstepping or tearing down other people’s boundaries by sweet-talking or coercing them to do what they want. However, they struggle to maintain personal boundaries, often being naive and engaging in dangerous behaviors that can lead to their demise or harm those around them.
For example, narcissists may feel a need to prove themselves, leading to reckless actions like driving too fast, engaging in dangerous sexual practices, or making irresponsible financial investments. As a victim, you may begin to mirror these boundary issues, losing your sense of self in the process.
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