- Narcissists often follow the same pattern in relationships: idealize, devalue, discard.
- They also have a certain way of talking to manipulate their victims.
- Here are some things narcissists are likely to say in relationships, and when to expect them.
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It's possible to meet someone and feel like you've known them your whole life. Often, this just means you're comfortable in each other's company.
But sometimes it can be a sign of something more sinister — particularly if someone you're dating is professing their love for you when you've only known them for five minutes.
Narcissists sometimes engage in "love bombing" — pretending to be everything you've ever wanted, only to turn it back on you further down the line. It's a manipulative tactic to reel in their targets. First, they shower them with affection and gifts. Then, they start gaslighting and abusing their victim, causing them to wonder what's real. It's all part of the plan to gain total control.
Although there's no global summit for all dark triad people to get together and discuss their tactics, they do seem to operate in a similar way.
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"It's like they read from the same manual, even though nobody gives them that manual," said psychologist Perpetua Neo, who works with victims of narcissistic abuse. "They're almost programmed in the same way."
Here are certain phrases narcissists use, and ways they express things, that may be eerily familiar to anyone who has dealt with one.
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