This article presents ‘narcissistic lover’s playbook’ that will help people who are still in abusive relationships, to be able to identify the telltale pattern of narcissistic abuse – which they ALL seem to follow.
It’s a pattern of progressing abuse, and if you pass one “test”, they up the ante for the next “test.” In other words, if you tolerate a low level of abuse (such as verbal insults), the narcissist is empowered to move on to the next level of abuse, which could be triangulating against you or eventually, physical abuse.
They may not even be aware they are following this pattern because it’s such a core part of their personality they truly can’t stop themselves. You can stop them by ending the relationship at the first sign of abuse, but never try to fix a narcissist yourself. You won’t help them and will only hurt yourself.
First, a word about commitment-phobes.
It’s important to remember that this pattern does NOT apply to the commitment phobetype of a narcissist, which some narcissists are. (They get their supply from other sources–relationships are too scary to them).
A commitment-phobe will never love-bomb you or tell you they love you. Instead, they’ll run like hell if you try to get one to further commit or if you tell them you love them.
But this article does not apply to that type of narcissist.
Related: 22 Stages of Relationship Between An Empath and A Narcissist
Stages of a relationship with a narcissist.
1. Lovebombing/idealization.
According to the Narcissistic Lover’s Playbook, during this heady phase that follows meeting your narcissist lover (who chose you because they see you as an easy “mark” to get narcissistic supply), you feel swept off your feet by their ardor and the speed at which they seem to want to get to know you and then take things to “the next level.”
In Narcissistic Lover’s Playbook, this phase includes idealization of you, intense, almost constant sex and the most romantic things you could imagine hearing anyone say. You feel beautiful, sexy and your self-esteem soars. Life seems perfect. This is how they get you to fall under their spell so they can continue to “work” on you as a primary source of narcissistic supply. It will not last.
Related: Letter From a Narcissist’s “True Self”
2 Declarations of permanency.
Your narcissistic lover will declare their undying love for you or even propose marriage or talk about having a family with you within weeks or a few months of meeting you. (This is a test to find out how committed you are and helps them gauge how much abuse you will tolerate/supply you can provide).
If they actually follow through on their commitment (some will), it’s because they have decided you are perfect source of supply (you make them look good) they can keep tapping into on a permanent basis like a backyard well. Only unlike the well, you won’t keep refilling with water, but will eventually be sucked dry emotionally, mentally or even spiritually. A narcissist’s desire to marry or commit permanently to you has nothing to do with “love.”
3.Boredom and irritation.
Suddenly, for no explainable reason, your narcissist starts acting bored, distracted or vaguely annoyed. If you try to ask them about it, they will deny it, insist nothing is wrong, or act annoyed that you asked.
4.Badmouthing others.
At around the same time you start to notice their boredom and irritation, you will notice your narcissist seems easily annoyed in general and starts badmouthing other people–his (or her) boss or employees, family members, other drivers on the road, but they save the worst badmouthing for their ex-lovers or spouses, who were ALWAYS at fault for whatever went wrong.
5. Decrease or changes in sexual desire.
If your lover is a cerebral narc, they suddenly stop wanting to have sex with you and may resort to pornography or masturbation instead. If a somatic, the sex may become less personal and romantic and more “kinky”–for example, they may say they want to try new things in bed to “spice things up” but being more romantic or tender isn’t one of them. They will no longer look at you when you make love.
Related: What It Means When a Narcissist Says “I Love You”
6.Stinginess.
This formerly generous person who showered you with gifts of candy, roses, and clothing suddenly stops buying you gifts or telling you they cost too much or starts to complain about how much you are costing them in general.
7. Emotional/verbal abuse.
The verbal and emotional abuse starts. We all know the many forms that can take since this whole blog is about that.
Some narcissists will, at this point, Devalue and Discard. This simply means they no longer need you as a source of narcissistic supply (they may have found a replacement) so they completely devalue and leave you. If they don’t leave, their abuse will keep growing worse. But whether they leave or not, they are still devaluing you.
8. Physical abuse.
Eventually, some malignant narcissists may begin the physical abuse, and again this can start with something as innocuous as a “push” or a single slap. If this happens, expect the abuse to increase in intensity if you stay in the relationship.
Even if your narcissist never touches you physically, the emotional abuse will continue to increase until your self-esteem is destroyed. In some ways, it can be even worse, because there are no telltale bruises or scars, and your narcissist can easily tell others who could be of help to you that you are crazy or making it all up.
Related: How to Make a Narcissist Fall in Love with You
What if you decide to call their bluff and leave?
If you decide to call their bluff and leave, there are four ways a narcissist will react:
1. They will try to “hoover” you back in through love bombing similar to what they showed when you first met, make fake but sincere-sounding apologies and promises to change. Don’t fall for it.
2. They will act like splitting up was their idea all along because you were “too needy,” “too crazy,” “too high maintenance,” etc.
3. They will act like nothing happened and even have the chutzpah to keep calling you or texting you and act as if they’re your best friend. They may tell you all about their new lovers or dates as if there was never anything between you at all. You can be sure that behind your back, they are trashing you to their new conquests–the same way they talked trash about their ex-lovers to you.
4. Jilted malignant narcissists are likely to try to enact revenge, usually through badmouthing you to others, including possibly your friends, but their vindictiveness could take on more dangerous forms too.
Written by Lauren Bennett
Originally appeared on LuckyOtter’s Haven
The Narcissistic Lover’s Playbook
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