Yes, narcissists often engage in relationship games as part of their manipulative and self-serving behavior. These games are designed to maintain control, feed their need for admiration, and protect their fragile self-esteem. Some common relationship games played by narcissists include:
Love bombing: In the early stages of a relationship, a narcissist may "love bomb" their partner with excessive flattery, attention, and affection. This intense display of affection is meant to draw the partner in and create a sense of dependency.
Devaluation: Once the narcissist feels they have the partner's devotion, they may start devaluing them. They might criticize, belittle, or undermine their partner's self-esteem to keep them off-balance and submissive.
Gaslighting: Narcissists often engage in gaslighting, where they manipulate their partner's perception of reality, causing them to doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and memories. This can make the victim feel confused and dependent on the narcissist for their version of the truth.
Triangulation: Narcissists may introduce a third party (real or imaginary) into the relationship to create jealousy or insecurity in their partner. This tactic is used to maintain control and keep their partner focused on "winning" their love and attention.
Discard and hoovering: As you mentioned, a narcissist may suddenly discard their partner, often for seemingly trivial reasons or without explanation. They may then use "hoovering" tactics to reel the partner back in when they feel like their control is slipping or when they need a source of admiration and validation.
Playing the victim: Narcissists may manipulate situations to make themselves appear as victims, garnering sympathy and support from others while making their partner feel guilty or responsible for their emotional well-being.
Triangulating with ex-partners: Some narcissists may maintain contact with their ex-partners or intentionally create situations where their current partner feels in competition with them. This is done to keep the partner insecure and always seeking validation and approval.
It's important to recognize these patterns of behavior and understand that they are not healthy or normal in a relationship. Narcissistic relationships are often emotionally and psychologically damaging to the victim. If you suspect you are in a relationship with a narcissist, seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional is crucial to navigate the situation and protect your well-being.