Narcissistic Personality Disorder: What Are Gaslighting & Love Bombing?

Maybe you're not sure if you've ever played games with someone who has a narcissistic personality. Or if the person who is prone to manipulative behavior has the disorder.

Perhaps you were in the middle of a whirlwind relationship when the object of your devotion abruptly vanished. Perhaps you discovered that one of your buddies set you up against someone else on purpose.

It's Natural To Be Heartbroken and Perplexed

Learning to recognize the games that people with narcissistic personalities play and other common narcissistic actions might help you set some important boundaries.

Why do persons with narcissistic personalities engage in games of manipulation? There are also many types of narcissism, so not everyone with a narcissistic personality will experience or exhibit it in the same manner.

Someone with this disease may appear to have high self-esteem. However, beneath a superior attitude is typically someone who is weak and perhaps even powerless.

As a result, they may look for external affirmation and prestige and a strong desire to be in charge.

During this phase, the individual with a narcissistic personality may develop extensive self-defense systems, including manipulation methods. This may cause them to use deception and be unaware of or unconcerned about the implications for you.

However, low empathy does not imply a lack of empathy. Because of this, not everyone with the illness will resort to deception.

The Most Popular Games Among Persons With Narcissistic Personalities

Relationships are frequently about meeting people's wants with a narcissistic personality disorder. This could include a continual desire to be admired and strong.

They won't have much to fall back on if this external approval isn't received.

A narcissistic personality may feel compelled to keep control at all costs, even if it means putting you in danger.

Here are some popular manipulation games used by people with narcissistic personalities; where can you find counselling in Guelph. 

Gaslighting

Since the concept has gained much attention recently, you've probably heard of gaslighting.

It's based on the old movie "Gaslight," The husband tries to make his wife believe she's going insane.

Indeed, gaslighting is based on this principle.

Gaslighting is a severe emotional manipulation whose purpose is to plant seeds of confusion. This is intended to make you question your thoughts, feelings, and reality.

Gaslighting is a long-term, progressive method used by narcissists. The ultimate goal is to keep you under their thumb and reliant on them. It can be wise to go for a young adult counselling in Guelph if you've been experiencing this.

Love Bombing

It was probably too soon for someone to love you that much if you ever imagined it. It was also likely that their love-bombed you.

Love bombing can take various forms, but it usually involves someone pushing themselves too far too quickly.

Someone saying "You're fantastic" or "I've never met anyone like you before," for example, when they don't even know you.

It could also involve lavish gifts, flowers, exquisite dinners, and talks that last a lifetime.

Being love-bombed can be incredibly flattering at times. As a result, you may feel compelled to respond to every one of these romantic gestures.

Someone who loves bombing you are looking for your attention and dependency. Once you've achieved this goal and are engaged, a love bomber is likely to lose interest and, in most situations, take advantage of your feelings for them.

Conclusion

If you're together with someone who has a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), you may experience this frequently. People who have narcissistic personality disorder have a complicated and stigmatized mental illness. However, knowing this does not necessarily make things easier for you, so it can be best to go for online counselling. 

Chettiar Counselling & Associates provides a nonjudgmental environment to process your pain. Anxiety, depression, anger management, addiction counseling, marital concerns, parenting assistance, separation & divorce, fertility challenges, grief & loss, trauma recovery, eating disorders, and gaming addiction are all addressed by our therapists. Book a free phone consultation to help you assess if our online counselling services are a good fit for you.

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