A married narcissist may engage in love bombing and future faking for various reasons, all of which are rooted in their manipulative and self-serving nature. Here's a breakdown of each aspect:
Love Bombing: Love bombing is a manipulation tactic used by narcissists to quickly and intensely shower someone with affection, attention, and compliments. This overwhelming display of love and interest can be intoxicating and disarming, making the target feel special and cherished. The purpose of love bombing is to establish a strong emotional bond quickly, gaining control over the victim's emotions and creating a dependency on the narcissist.
Future Faking: Future faking involves making grand promises and plans for the future together, often presenting an idealized vision of a life shared with the victim. The narcissist may talk about marriage, children, a beautiful home, and a wonderful future together. This tactic serves to keep the victim engaged and hopeful about the relationship, making them believe that the narcissist genuinely cares about building a future together.
Denial and Gaslighting: Narcissists are experts at gaslighting, which is a form of psychological manipulation where they make the victim doubt their own perceptions, memories, and sanity. When confronted about the love bombing and future faking, the narcissist may deny ever engaging in such behavior. They might downplay or dismiss the victim's feelings, making them feel like they are overreacting or imagining things. This further disempowers the victim and keeps them in a state of confusion and self-doubt.
The reasons why a married narcissist would use these tactics can vary:
Thrill and Ego Boost: Love bombing allows the narcissist to feel a sense of power and control over the victim, boosting their ego and providing them with a thrill as they manipulate someone's emotions.
Narcissistic Supply: Narcissists crave attention and admiration. By love bombing and future faking, they can extract narcissistic supply – the emotional energy and validation they get from the victim's positive responses.
Escape from Marital Problems: Love bombing someone outside the marriage might provide the narcissist with an escape from their marital issues, offering a temporary emotional outlet.
Validation and Control: Future faking gives the narcissist a tool to manipulate the victim's emotions and behavior, keeping them engaged and under their control.
Avoiding Responsibility and Consequences: Denying the love bombing and future faking allows the narcissist to avoid responsibility for their actions and potential consequences, such as ruining their marriage or facing the fallout from their manipulative behavior.
It's essential to recognize these manipulation tactics and protect yourself from further harm. If you suspect you are dealing with a narcissist or are caught in an emotionally abusive relationship, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor who can help you navigate this challenging situation and prioritize your well-being.